A half-hour cruise is the perfect way to take in the River Dee and historic Chester. Step aboard the Lady Diana, the Mark Twain, or The Jackie and listen to stories from Chester’s fascinating past as you take in the fabulous views. Please note that it is not possible to select a sailing time and your ticket is valid for any sailing on your chosen day. We are sailing every day (subject to weather) between mid-February and mid-December. Cruises sail at least hourly between 11AM and 4PM, up to every 30 minutes during busier periods. You can add a Bus Upgrade to enjoy two tours in one great value ticket. Enjoy your river cruise, then make the most of a 24-hour hop on hop off ticket for the open top City Sightseeing bus tour. Buses operate until Sunday 28th September 2025.

Sit back, relax, and leave the city behind on this leisurely cruise. From our moorings in Chester we wind our way upstream, passing some spectacular homes and gardens as we make our way out of the city into leafy Cheshire countryside. The River Dee meanders through the Eaton Estate, ancestral home of the Duke of Westminster, and we turn at the picturesque Aldford Iron Bridge before making our way back to Chester. A fully stocked bar is available onboard serving hot drinks, soft drinks, beers, wines, ciders and spirits. You are very welcome to bring your picnics and packed lunches onboard. The two-hour cruise sails on selected dates between April and early October, with occasional sailings out of season. Tickets are available to book approximately 2 months in advance.

Enjoy a tasty supper of fish, chips & peas from one of Chester’s finest chippys whilst we sail up to the picturesque Aldford Iron Bridge. There is a fully stocked bar onboard so you can enjoy a hot or cold drink with your supper. On the way upstream you’ll hear an interesting sightseeing commentary, and on the way back we’ll play a couple of fun games of bingo – with prizes to be won. Fish & Chip Fridays usually sail once a month from May to September. Please note that these cruises are popular and are usually fully booked several weeks in advance. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Test your knowledge against picture, music and question rounds with our quiz master, while you enjoy views of the picturesque River Dee on a two-hour evening cruise, and tuck into a delicious hot pie supper. Choose from steak & ale, chicken & mushroom, or cheese & potato (vegetarian) pies – all served with buttery mashed potato, rich gravy, and real mushy peas – or a vegetable curry with rice (suitable for vegan, lactose free, and gluten free diets). Groups are very welcome but in the interest of fairness we would ask groups of more than 6 to form more than one team for the purposes of the quiz! A fully stocked bar is open throughout the cruise, serving hot and cold drinks. Tickets are £24 per person which includes… – A two-hour evening cruise sailing from 7PM to 9PM – A hot supper of pie served with mashed potatoes, mushy peas, and gravy (or vegan curry with rice) – Entry into the fun pub quiz with prizes to be won!

7 experiences

It's the most magical time of year on the River Dee! Father Christmas has managed to squeeze a few dates into his diary to sail on the River Dee with the boys and girls of Chester, and give them some books to read over the holidays. Your tickets include... Tea/coffee and a mince pie for the grown ups A gingerbread man and a Fruit Shoot for children An age-appropriate book as a gift from Santa for children A fun one-hour cruise with festive music on a decorated boat (or a voucher to take a cruise next year, if the boat is unable to set sail) Other important information... Please note that tickets are not refundable once booked. If you are unable to make your cruise for any reason (eg. illness, travel issues, or a change of plans) Santa will deliver your gift via Royal Mail along with a voucher to take a half-hour cruise at a later date. In the event that weather/river conditions prevent the boat from sailing, the event will take place on a stationary boat and you will receive a voucher to come for a half-hour cruise at a later date. This is rare but can happen in winter. Please consider before booking whether you would be happy with this. During the booking process you will be asked to provide your child’s approximate reading age. The elves will use this age to choose a book for your child, but no-one onboard on the day will be able to see the age you entered. There are 2 toilets onboard but no baby change facilities. The closest baby change facilities are located in the public toilets by the Bandstand, 100m from our moorings. There is limited space onboard for pushchairs, so they will need to be fully collapsed and stowed. You’re welcome to take a carrycot/bassinet to your table if it can be separated from the rest of the pushchair and placed on a seat.