Santa Special Cruise on the River Dee
Families board the decorated Lady Diana to enjoy a festive cruise along the River Dee with seasonal music. Children can meet Santa Claus, present their letters, take photos, and receive an age-appropriate book alongside activity sheets and stickers from the elves. Adult guests are treated to tea or coffee and a mince pie, while children receive a gingerbread man and a drink.
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Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Tickets
Adults £17.00; child with gift from Santa £19.00; infants sail free, but a free infant ticket does not include gifts, colouring or refreshments. Tickets are cheaper when booked online; no online price is given.
Hours
12PM and 2.30PM on each sailing date.
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
The Groves
Food & Drink
Adults receive tea or coffee and a mince pie; children receive a gingerbread man and a drink, while free infant tickets include no refreshments.
Accessibility
Pushchairs must be fully collapsed and stowed onboard, though detachable carrycots or bassinets may be placed on seats.
Going?
Location
Tips & Advice
- Book online rather than by phone, because tickets are cheaper online and Santa only joins a limited number of cruises.
- Help your child write a letter before the day, because there is time on board to show it to Santa and have photos taken.
- Change babies at the Bandstand public toilets before boarding, because the boat has toilets but no baby change facilities.
- Bring a pushchair that folds fully, and ideally one with a carrycot that detaches, since space on board is limited and it can go on a seat.
- Tickets are non-refundable. If you can't make it, Santa posts the gift to you by Royal Mail with a voucher for a later half-hour cruise.
Special Events & Promotions
- Tickets are cheaper when you book online.
Links & Contact
Run by ChesterBoat
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do children get on the cruise?
Each child gets an age-appropriate book from Santa, a gingerbread man and a drink. They also get colouring, activity sheets and stickers, plus time to meet Santa, have photos taken and show him their letters.
How does Santa choose each child's book?
When you book, you give your child's approximate reading age, and the elves use it to pick a book. Nobody on board on the day can see the age you entered.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If weather or river conditions stop the boat from sailing, the event goes ahead on a stationary boat. You also get a voucher for a half-hour cruise at a later date.
Can I bring a pushchair?
Space on board is limited, so pushchairs must be fully collapsed and stowed. If the carrycot or bassinet detaches from the pushchair, you can take it to your table and put it on a seat.
Are there toilets and baby change facilities?
There are two toilets on board but no baby change. The nearest baby change is in the public toilets by the Bandstand, 100m from the moorings.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.