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City Centre Cruises
Manchester's Premier Floating Venue for Unforgettable Events & Scenic Cruises
4.2(5 reviews)
$$$
bar
boat-tours
event-planning-and-services
Exclusive hire of our boats for weddings, corporate events, birthdays, and parties, with customizable packages and scenic Manchester views.
Delicious hot and cold buffet options, including upgraded deluxe menus, freshly prepared and constantly refreshed throughout your event.
Fully stocked bar with a range of drinks, welcome packages, and optional free bar spend, served by friendly and professional staff.
DJ music, karaoke, and lighting to keep the energy high, with options for live performances or custom playlists.
Personalized support from booking to execution, including venue tours, guest count updates, and day-of coordination.
Manchester's Premier Floating Venue for Unforgettable Events & Scenic Cruises
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City Centre Cruises offers a unique and memorable experience on the waters of Manchester, combining scenic boat tours with exceptional event hosting. Based at Castlefield Events Arena, we specialize in private charters for weddings, corporate parties, birthdays, and festive celebrations. Our fully equipped boats feature a bar, buffet catering, DJ entertainment, and karaoke, all set against stunning city views. With a dedicated team ensuring seamless planning and warm hospitality, we create vibrant atmospheres for groups of up to 50 guests. Whether for a leisurely cruise or a lively party, we deliver outstanding service to make every occasion special.
Leisure boat tours showcasing Manchester's landmarks, ideal for sightseeing, casual gatherings, or romantic outings.
Fantastic Christmas Boat Party – Highly Recommended! We hired the boat for our team Christmas party and couldn’t have been happier with the whole experience. From the very beginning, the booking and arrangements with Sarah were excellent – everything was so easy and seamless. On the night, Captain Steve was warm, friendly and welcoming. Our party happened to fall on the night of Storm Bram, and because of the extreme winds he explained that we wouldn’t be able to set sail for health and safety reasons. We completely understood, and honestly, it didn’t take away from the evening at all. The atmosphere was still brilliant and it was all about us being together as a team. The bar staff were amazing – always smiling and you could tell they genuinely enjoyed seeing everyone have such a good time. The food was outstanding: a lovely buffet with a great selection of hot and cold dishes, constantly refreshed to keep everything piping hot. Everyone commented on how delicious it was. The DJ kept the energy high with fantastic tunes, and the karaoke ended up being the highlight of the night – so much fun and plenty of laughs! All in all, a fabulous experience from start to finish. We’ll be talking about this night for a long time. Highly recommend! 🎉🚤
What an amazing night we had on the boat, my husband was the entertainment on the boat for a private function and the staff couldn't be more helpful, we can't thank you enough, if anyone is looking to hire a city centre cruise for a private party i would highly recommended this, we were all looked after from start to finish, thank you very much from Mr and Mrs elvis
A Cautionary Tale from a £5,000 Corporate Party Gone Sideways I hired City Centre Cruises for a private corporate party on one of their boats. While we weren’t sure how many of the 50 available spots we’d fill (this was an informal “invite-on-the-day” event), we paid in full for all 50 places — including the upgraded buffet and welcome drinks — at a staggering £80 per head. That’s £4,000 upfront for a 3-hour cruise, plus an additional £1,000+ in free bar spend. Let me say upfront: I don’t mind spending money when the experience reflects it — but this absolutely did not. The Planning We visited the boat the day before the event. Tired, old, and worn down — not exactly what you expect when you’re investing over five grand — but we’d come too far to back out. We made it very clear we’d update the final guest count by 3pm on the day of the event (the cruise was at 6.30pm), and this was agreed in person and later confirmed by email. In the end, only around 20 guests attended, and we gave the team plenty of notice so they could scale back on catering. They acknowledged and thanked us for the update. The Event The two young women running the bar were the highlight — professional, friendly, and efficient. I personally tipped them £80 at the end of the night. Unfortunately, they were let down by everything else. The DJ appeared to resent being there, barely said a word and certainly didn’t crack a smile, though I’ll admit the guests did enjoy the karaoke and music despite the vibes. Oddly enough, things took a turn for the downright bizarre — a guest informed me there was a man getting a massage near the ladies’ toilets during the event. Topless. This isn’t a joke. Not sure if he worked there or not, but the fact that this happened at all during a private corporate booking is, frankly, appalling. The Buffet To be fair, the food itself was very good — hot, fresh, and tasty. But it was clear the catering was scaled for around 20 guests, not 50. Which was fine — we had informed them. What isn’t fine is what followed after. After the Event I reached out to the company, respectfully requesting a conversation about a partial refund — we’d paid for 50 guests, they catered for around 20 (as we requested), and we simply asked to be treated fairly. We were met with silence. No response. No acknowledgment. Just a complete stonewall. Final Thoughts It’s a shame, because I originally booked City Centre Cruises based on their glowing reviews. But underneath the surface, it seems the moment they’ve got your money, any sense of customer care disappears. I’m not sure what’s more disappointing — the dismissive silence post-event, or the fact that someone thought it was acceptable to enjoy a topless massage mid-charter while guests were walking past. For next year, we’ve already found another operator — one with genuine customer service, transparent planning advice, and a bit of pride in their offering. They were visibly shocked when I told them what we paid for this experience. With a bit of customer focus and professionalism, City Centre Cruises could run something great. Instead, they’ve chosen the path of profit over service, and silence over accountability. Buyer beware.
Highly recommended, perfect venue for a birthday celebration. Thank you to Eamon & his attentive, friendly yet professional team for making my 60th birthday so special. The deluxe buffet was divine, a well stocked & reasonably priced bar, tastefully decorated, good disco/lighting provided an ideal setting for 40 guests. Everyone had a fabulous evening.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My recent experience with City Centre Cruises in Manchester was nothing short of exceptional! From the moment we stepped aboard Emmeline Pankhurst, it was evident that this was going to be an unforgettable journey. Firstly, the food was outstanding! A delectable selection that not only tantalized the taste buds but also showcased the culinary expertise of the onboard chefs. Yet, what truly made this experience extraordinary was the impeccable hospitality provided by Amon and Sarah. They epitomized cruise hospitality at its finest! Their warmth, attentiveness, and genuine care for every guest onboard added an extra layer of delight to the entire cruise. Amon and Sarah's professionalism and friendliness were unparalleled. They effortlessly catered to every need, ensuring everyone felt welcomed and pampered throughout the journey. Their knowledge about the cruise, coupled with their enthusiasm, enhanced the overall experience significantly. The ambiance onboard was delightful, the views of Manchester from the cruise were stunning, and the service was top-notch. But it was truly Amon and Sarah who elevated this experience to something truly memorable.
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