What’s extra enjoyable than a sightseeing boat tour on the Thames? Dashing alongside at as much as 35mph aboard one of many Thames Rockets speedboat journeys – formally London’s quickest boat tour, as we found for this Rocket Insurgent overview.
overview submit*
The model new Rocket Insurgent boat is the newest addition to the Thames Rockets fleet, seating greater than twice as many passengers as the usual RIB boats, with house for 26. However greater very undoubtedly doesn’t imply slower as my daughter and I found.
So if you happen to’re questioning whether or not it is best to e book Thames Rockets with youngsters, and simply what London’s quickest boat tour is like, my Rocket Insurgent overview goals to reply all of your questions.
Thames Rockets Assessment – a experience on Rocket Insurgent
I’m an enormous fan of boat excursions on the Thames with youngsters – over time, my daughter and I’ve had afternoon tea on board, discovered some historical past, and made the river journey a part of our common days out in Greenwich. However one factor we’ve by no means tried was a Thames speedboat experience.
So clearly we would have liked so as to add that to our record of issues to do in London – and naturally, it is sensible to strive the most recent and quickest mannequin round, boarding the shiny pink Rocket Insurgent.
At 16m lengthy and seating 26 folks, she’s round double the dimensions of the standard Thames speedboats, together with the remainder of Thames Rockets’ fleet. However with a light-weight aluminium design and twin 725hp jet-propelled engines, she remains to be superfast.
Even higher, the extra environment friendly engine additionally has decrease emissions which reduces Rocket Insurgent’s carbon footprint, when you have a second to keep in mind that as you’re carving via the water at 35mph.
Not that you simply spend the entire journey at high velocity. Wandering right down to the South Financial institution from Westminster Bridge, watching folks boarding the extra sedate sightseeing cruise boats or heading into the household points of interest like Sea Life London, it undoubtedly felt like we have been off on extra of an journey.
The enjoyable ambiance began as we checked in with the crew, picked up our lifejackets and received talked via the best way to put them on – even when one individual misheard the instruction, ‘Don’t pull the orange toggle’, and obediently yanked it, proving the lifejackets do inflate very quick, they have been at all times good-natured.
And earlier than lengthy, we have been settled into our seats, seatbelts on, and ready to set off.
There’s a velocity restriction alongside the central part of the Thames, so the journey kicks off with a mini guided tour – all achieved by skilled actors and/or comedians so that you’ll be effectively entertained as you cruise alongside the river.
Our information Jay was simply among the finest tour guides I’ve had alongside the Thames, packing in plenty of particulars about what we have been seeing and loads of quirky tales behind them.
All the pieces from London’s sewers to the time capsule beneath Cleopatra’s Needle, and the Girls Bridge as Waterloo Bridge is thought – constructed solely by girls in the course of the Second World Struggle, and the one one to be accomplished on time and to funds. Or so the story goes…
Even if you happen to’ve explored London loads, you possibly can anticipate some uncommon info thrown in – do you know the the 32 pods on the London Eye signify the 32 London boroughs? Or why the Globe Theatre (the unique Tudor one) burned down?
Earlier than lengthy, we had handed St Paul’s and HMS Belfast and reached Tower Bridge, gazing up via the glass flooring on the folks inside. Then on previous the river police station – at which level it was time for captain Charlene Peck to blast up the music and see how briskly we may go.
Evidently I didn’t handle to take many photographs at this level, though you will get a way of what it’s like with my video. In case you’ve ever wished to behave out any James Bond chase fantasies (each The World Is Not Sufficient and Spectre have seen the spy rushing alongside the river), you even get a soundtrack from the movies.
As Rocket Insurgent whizzed alongside, curving dramatically throughout the water, the music was undoubtedly taking second place to gleeful screams, laughter and sounds of individuals yelling, wheeee! (Not simply me)
We had sufficient time to see Canary Wharf looming within the distance earlier than Captain Charlene swerved round for one more few high-speed passes. However all too quickly, the acquainted form of Tower Bridge was forward of us, and we have been again right down to sedate central London speeds, wishing we may have spent only a bit longer zooming alongside the Thames.
An journey aboard Rocket Insurgent may not be the most affordable factor for households to do in London, however with big grins on everybody’s faces as we disembarked, it’s a powerful contender for one of the vital enjoyable days out in London with youngsters.
Rocket Insurgent Assessment: Must know
In case you are planning a Thames speedboat experience, you possibly can nonetheless hop aboard Thames Rockets’ basic RIBs, however if you happen to’re planning a visit on Rocket Insurgent, right here are some things to know earlier than you go.
Will I get moist?
Not except it’s raining! Though Rocket Insurgent swerves and curves via the water, we didn’t really feel any spray coming over the sting – this isn’t an expertise the place you want head-to-toe waterproofs.
Having stated that, whether it is windy, you would possibly discover spray blowing again into the boat. The intention is for everybody to depart as dry as they arrived, so waterproofs are offered on request if needed.
How outdated do youngsters have to be?
There’s no minimal age to experience Rocket Insurgent – on our tour, my 12-year-old was not even near being the youngest, with a few youngsters aged round 5-6 aboard. Teenagers aged 15-16 can journey unsupervised if a mum or dad/guardian indicators a disclaimer, whereas youthful kids should be accompanied by an grownup.
The truth is, the one age suggestions are on the Thames Rockets Break the Barrier journey, which is recommended for age 10+ (and any excursions the place alcohol is served, the place it’s good to be 18+).
How briskly does Rocket Insurgent go?
As much as 30 knots – or round 35mph. Though that’s just for a part of the journey, it feels loads quicker than 35mph in your automobile…
How lengthy is a Thames Rocket experience?
The Rocket Insurgent Final London Journey lasts for round 50 minutes, which features a quick guided tour as you journey from the London Eye pier towards the Homes of Parliament, doubling again alongside the Thames previous Cleopatra’s Needle, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe and HMS Belfast to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
When you’re past the velocity restrict restrictions to the east of Tower Bridge, you’ll get to benefit from the captain placing on some velocity, zooming in the direction of Canary Wharf earlier than racing again in the direction of the Tower.
Then there’s a ultimate extra sedate part as you head again to the London Eye, with an opportunity to take photographs, kind your hair out and cease laughing in sheer exhilaration (if you wish to). Different Thames Rocket excursions fluctuate, however the shortest tour lasts 45 minutes, the longest runs for 80 minutes.
When ought to I arrive?
It’s essential get there not less than quarter-hour earlier than the time your tour begins with a view to be checked in and get kitted out in a lifejacket.
There isn’t allotted seating and it’s first come, first served, though the crew does its finest to maintain teams collectively. So if you happen to significantly wish to be on the entrance (or again!), arrive early to get your identify first on the record. You get some good views from either side however sitting on the left-hand aspect will get a few of the finest on the best way out.
What occurs if the climate is unhealthy?
Journeys go forward in all climate except it’s there’s thick fog which might make it unsafe. Come effectively wrapped up on a chilly day, and produce a raincoat if it’s wet – evidently, you possibly can’t use an umbrella!
Waterproofs are additionally offered together with ponchos, and even goggles if it’s significantly moist.
Can I take baggage on board?
You may deliver small baggage on board – purses, small backpacks and rucksacks, for instance. There’s no separate baggage storage so that you’ll must tuck it beneath your seat/by your toes, and it’s finest to restrict what you deliver aboard – you don’t wish to spend the entire time worrying a paper bag goes to get whipped away within the wind.
There’s a left baggage services on the London Eye County Corridor if you need someplace safe for baggage/giant baggage. There’s no storage on the pier, together with for pushchairs.
Are there bathrooms on board?
Unsurprisingly, no, there aren’t any bathrooms on board. There are bathrooms within the County Corridor constructing by the ticket pick-up space for the London Eye.
What else do I must know?
In case you’ve received lengthy hair, it’s an excellent plan to deliver one thing to tie it again and maintain it out of your face and eyes as you whizz alongside.
You’re inspired to take video and photographs, however do maintain a good maintain of your telephone or digital camera… Bringing a Go Professional or related aboard can also be nice.
And sure, it’s bumpy – however not too bumpy, and Rocket Insurgent is certainly smoother than different RIB boat journeys I’ve achieved, because of its intelligent design. You’ve received a seatbelt on too.
Tickets at the moment price £69.95 for adults and youngsters. With restricted numbers, prebooking is strongly suggested, though it might be potential to purchase tickets on the day.
For extra nice boat excursions of London with youngsters, in addition to concepts for the perfect issues to do in London with youngsters, take a look at my posts
Disclosure: My journey on board Rocket Insurgent was free for the aim of this Thames Rockets overview – all opinions are my very own (and my daughter’s)
Cloudy day photographs copyright MummyTravels, all different photographs courtesy of Thames Rockets