A Guide to the Dixie Queen: London's Most Iconic Charter Vessel

Of all the boats that work the River Thames, few turn heads quite like the Dixie Queen. She is a replica 19th-century paddle steamer boat and the largest luxury vessel available for private hire in London, with room for up to 620 guests. We own and operate her as part of our fleet, and over the years she has hosted everything from grand weddings to company conferences. This guide covers what she is, how many she holds, the events she suits, and the route she takes, so you can picture your own occasion aboard her.

Meet the Dixie Queen.

The first thing you notice is her scale. The Dixie Queen has the proportions of a ship rather than a boat, which gives every event on board a real sense of occasion. As a replica of a 19th-century paddle steamer, she carries plenty of period character, yet her interior works as a flexible modern event space that can be arranged around the evening you have in mind. She is centrally heated throughout, so she is just as warm and welcoming for a December party as she is for a summer reception on the open deck.

Capacity and layout at a glance

Her size is her signature, and her layout flexes to match the event you are planning. One practical point worth knowing early: her charter rates adapt around the number of guests on board, so she can suit a smaller group that still wants the space she offers, not only a full complement of 620.

What makes her iconic

Two things set the Dixie Queen apart on the river. The first is simply her size. She is the largest luxury boat you can hire in London, which makes her the natural choice when the guest list is long. The second is the moment guests remember most. She is the only vessel in our fleet large enough that Tower Bridge has to be raised to let her through. Boarding at Tower Pier, your guests watch one of the most famous bridges in the world lift for their boat, bringing London's traffic to a brief halt. She has also been the setting for our own Great Gatsby on the Thames showcase, which suits her theatrical, larger-than-life character.

Events aboard the Dixie Queen

Her flexible layout means she adapts to almost any occasion. Couples choose her for wedding receptions where the meal, the toasts and the dancing all happen in one striking setting. Families and friends mark milestone birthdays and anniversaries on board. Businesses use her for corporate functions, meetings and conferences, and product launches and PR events where the venue itself is part of the story. In winter she comes into her own for Christmas parties and at the turn of the year for a New Year's Eve dinner cruise with the fireworks over the river.

Dining on board

Food is a large part of the experience. A full brigade of chefs works on board, so the catering is cooked fresh rather than brought on ready-made, and the menu is built around your tastes and your budget. Depending on the style of your event, that might be a seated dinner at round tables, food stations set out inside, or a BBQ on the open deck in summer. If your evening is built around the meal itself, with the city lights coming up over the water between courses, a Thames river cruise dinner aboard the Dixie Queen is hard to beat. You can look through the range of menus and drinks before you decide.

Her route and the Tower Bridge moment

Most charters aboard the Dixie Queen begin at Tower Pier, right beside Tower Bridge, which is where the bridge lift takes place. From there she cruises east past Canary Wharf and the towers of the old Docklands, on to historic Greenwich, round the O2 on the Greenwich Peninsula and, for a longer cruise, through the Thames Barrier at the eastern end of the river. As with all our charters, the exact route is planned around your event and the tide on the day. Our fleet is moored nearby at Butler's Wharf, beside Tower Bridge.

How she compares to the rest of the fleet

The Dixie Queen is the largest of our three boats, though she is not always the right one. For a wedding or celebration of a few hundred, the Elizabethan carries up to 235 guests with a touch more intimacy. For a smaller gathering, the Edwardian suits groups from eight to 90 and can reach more piers along the river. If you are weighing them up, our team can talk you through which fits your numbers and your plans.

Frequently asked questions

How many guests can the Dixie Queen hold?

Up to 620 guests in total. She seats 432 for fine dining, 400 for a seated buffet, and caters for 400 at a standing canapés reception.

Is the Dixie Queen the largest boat for hire on the Thames?

Yes. She is the largest luxury vessel available for private hire in London, which is why she is a popular choice for large weddings, parties and company events.

Does Tower Bridge open for the Dixie Queen?

It does. She is the only boat in our fleet large enough to need Tower Bridge to be raised, so guests boarding at Tower Pier can watch the bridge lift for their charter. Timings are arranged with the bridge in advance.

What events can you host on board?

Weddings, milestone birthdays and anniversaries, corporate functions, meetings and conferences, product launches, Christmas parties and New Year's Eve cruises, among others. Her flexible layout adapts to each.

Is the Dixie Queen available in winter?

Yes. She is centrally heated throughout, so she is comfortable in every season, which makes her a favourite for Christmas and New Year events.

Where does the Dixie Queen depart from?

Charters usually begin at Tower Pier beside Tower Bridge, though other piers can be arranged. Our fleet is moored nearby at Butler's Wharf.

Plan your event aboard the Dixie Queen.

The best way to appreciate her scale is to step aboard. We recommend a viewing and a menu tasting before you book, and a dedicated member of our Events Management Team will plan the day with you from the first enquiry to the final farewell. When you are ready, get in touch, and we will help you bring your event on the Dixie Queen to life.