City Centre Cruises
City Centre Cruises
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Full view

About
Our family-run company has operated passenger boats in Manchester for over 25 years and our two vessels, LS Lowry and Emmeline Pankhurst, are named after famous local people who were born, lived and worked in Manchester and Salford, the very areas we operate in. Our restaurant and party boats cruise all year round for groups and individuals, providing unique venues to celebrate your occasion whilst discovering the world famous historic Manchester Ship Canal and Bridgewater Canal which in 2011 celebrated its 250th Anniversary. During your privately chartered cruise you have the best views of the exciting waterside developments from Castlefield in Manchester City Centre to Salford Quays with a great view of Manchester United’s 'Theatre of Dreams’, Media City UK, home of the BBC in the north, The Lowry and the Imperial War Museum North.Our restaurant and party boats provide the perfect venues to celebrate your occasion, which may be a Birthday, Hen Party, Anniversary or Corporate event that can be customised to your needs. Whether you decide to dine, dance, drink, or all three, you can be confident that whatever your requests, we will deliver, meet and go beyond your expectations.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
237 reviews
Excellent
206
Very good
23
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Martine T
Manchester4 contributions
Sept 2023 • Business
Booked a canal boat dinner cruise to follow 2 full days of corporate meetings (multiple VP level execs from our US HQ, local Sales etc). Lovely unique experience. Can't thank Eamon/team enough for advice to support my advance planning, his reassurance the Deluxe Buffet was good quality (in fact it was excellent!) and suggestion of Dukes92 for departure location (easy to gather our large group for drink prior to boarding), to the commentary, knowledge shared during the cruise, team got to experience going through a lock, then up to Media City and back. Trip was tailored to our request (3hr cruise, took off a little later, back a little earlier to suite our party), even our fussy guests couldn't complain as food serve was restaurant quality. A retirement cake planned, was also kindly arranged by Eamon, hidden away until dinner cleared - and a lovely surprise for our colleague. Everyone thoroughly enjoy - Thank You!
Written 15 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FCC
1 contribution
May 2022
We had a fantastic evening aboard where we had booked a corporate charter - the barge exclusively ours for 3 1/2 hours. Eamon and the office made the booking easy and catered for our requirements including decorating the boat. The buffet we had was fantastic - (not your normal sandwiches and sausage rolls) - we opted for the deluxe buffet which had a selection of hot and cold items, was really tasty and interesting items. All the staff during the cruise were great. Fortunately we had lovely weather which made it all the more enjoyable. We saw sights from a different perspective and it was a lovely tranquil journey.
If you are thinking of a different staff event instead of going to a restaurant then this is a great option and really good value for money. Nothing was too much trouble for them from booking to stepping off the boat at the end of the evening. Highly recommend.
If you are thinking of a different staff event instead of going to a restaurant then this is a great option and really good value for money. Nothing was too much trouble for them from booking to stepping off the boat at the end of the evening. Highly recommend.
Written 27 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trudie
Northampton, UK14 contributions
May 2022
What a lovely experience. This was booked for a colleague who is retiring and what a great way to celebrate. We were all greeted on board with big smiles and felt very welcome. Lots of room on board to move around, mingle and chat with everyone. The buffet was really good, we had a choice of hot food as well as cold. No boring limp buffet in sight! The bar also stocked enough drinks to satisfy all.
The views from the boat on either side were great. Going through the lock down to the Ship Canal was excellent and onto Media City, passing by Gnome Island :)
Would thoroughly recommend it to everyone.
The views from the boat on either side were great. Going through the lock down to the Ship Canal was excellent and onto Media City, passing by Gnome Island :)
Would thoroughly recommend it to everyone.
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth E
Caerphilly, UK521 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
This 3 hour cruise was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It was a different way to see the city and the commentary was very informative. The trip takes you as far as Media City on the ship canal.
The food has a homemade feel, but there is more than enough of it! The staff were friendly and attentive. Drinks were not included in the ticket price, but it was still terrific value for money.
Excellent Covid measures in place.
The food has a homemade feel, but there is more than enough of it! The staff were friendly and attentive. Drinks were not included in the ticket price, but it was still terrific value for money.
Excellent Covid measures in place.
Written 16 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SmithyHaydock
St.Helens46 contributions
Jun 2021
We had an excellent time on the Emmeline Pankhurst we left at 12.00 returning at 4.00pm great activity for a group of people. The commentary from the Captain was informative about the surrounding area as we sailed along. The three course lunch we had was delicious and the staff were efficient and friendly nothing was too much trouble. We stopped at the Lowery area where we got off for a short time. I would definitely recommend this trip.
Written 23 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GIllycava
uk20 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
What an amazing afternoon spent on this canal tour of Manchester , the staff are all amazing, the food was delicious, lovely and hot , leek and potato soup , roast beef with all the trimmings and sticky toffee pudding with ice cream , all cooked to perfection, also a commentary whilst you cruise along the canal seeing places you’ve never seen before . Drinks are well priced and it was money well spent . Will definitely do this again
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emilia K
Manchester, UK1 contribution
Aug 2020
Me and my partner spent our anniversary on board of the cruise and it was a delight from start to finish.
Eamon and the staff were very accommodating and friendly and we would highly recommend this experience to both couples and families. It was awesome to finally see Manchester by water, something that was long overdue after living in this city for some many years!
We look forward to booking with you again Eamon :)
Eamon and the staff were very accommodating and friendly and we would highly recommend this experience to both couples and families. It was awesome to finally see Manchester by water, something that was long overdue after living in this city for some many years!
We look forward to booking with you again Eamon :)
Written 24 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viv D
17 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Went with a group of fifty over-sixties and enjoyed every minute of this cruise. The staff were very attentive and the 3-course meal was excellent: cooked on board that morning, we were told. Reasonably priced drinks too. We had time to explore Salford Quays (Lowry, War Museum, Mall, etc) and enjoyed each others' company and the friendliness of the staff. Highly recommended.
Written 13 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KM S
Farnborough, UK10 contributions
May 2021
Grandparents, parents and grandchildren all had a wonderful 3 hr Sunday lunch trip. Food was plentiful and delicious, staff did everything to ensure we had a good time and the different views of Manchester were fascinating, including the close-up working of a lock. Even the weather was great - not always the case in Manchester
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippa C
15 contributions
Aug 2020
Had a gorgeous Sunday afternoon lunch cruise. Eamon and his team were brilliant, very attentive and friendly. The food was delicious, piping hot. Very relaxing, the time just flew by, couldn’t have asked for anything more, would definitely go again.
Written 31 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you look on their website, the contact box is top right side, if you click on this a page appears with a message facility.
Written 16 October 2019
Hi its my mums birthday and I would like to do something a bit different she is in her 80 but a bit of a party animal can you tell me the minimum amount of people you need how long is the cruise and is there music thanks gail
Written 7 August 2018
The minimum is 2 people. We have been 3 and 5. We enjoyed the trip on the Bridgewater Canal the best as it is more scenic. We only did Sunday lunch where you just get your lunch and the tour comentary but I believe you can book party cruises for special occasions.
Written 7 August 2018
No free parking at the canal side. There are a number of car parks close by but I don't think any free in the city centre. We used public transport because it was Manchester Day and very busy.
Written 5 July 2018
Hi, we are in Manchester on Sunday 10th June and I wondered if you open then? How much for two adults please
Written 6 June 2018
They are open it's £18 for 2
Written 7 June 2018
Hi we are in Manchester how can we book and prices please for tomorrow?
Written 27 April 2018
On the boat or online it's £8 person on way £16 return
Written 28 April 2018
I would like to book a meal for two as a Christmas present. How would I book this meal for an afternoon.
Written 26 November 2017
Visit the City Centre Cruises Web Site. You will be able to buy a Gift Voucher for a cruise and a meal and the recipient of the gift is able to make their own booking as and when they want to go. It makes for a different type of Christmas present.
Written 27 November 2017
HI i was wondering how much it would be to rent a boat at night for about 15 girls on the 19 or 20 of october with no food we just want a good dance, and some fun, and how long are the cruises?
Written 18 September 2016
Hi, It's £500 to hire the boat for a private do and the cruise is between 2.5-3 hours long.
Written 19 September 2016
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