Check the service status first
The operator's cruise page carried a notice that ferries were suspended on 18 and 19 October 2026 and that sightseeing tickets were not available. A replacement bus ran for commuters between Hamilton Square and Seacombe. Normal sailings are not guaranteed after that, so look at the operator's service update on the day you plan to travel and do not assume the boats are running.
The product is now called the Liverpool Sightseeing River Cruise. You may still see it described as the River Explorer Cruise, which was the earlier name.
How the cruise works
A river trip on the Mersey with commentary, from the Liverpool side to the Wirral and back.
The route
The cruise lasts 50 minutes. It sails from Liverpool's Gerry Marsden Terminal at Pier Head and calls at Seacombe on the Wirral. Woodside is temporarily closed because of rebuilding work, so do not plan to use that stop.
The commentary
Tickets include an English digital audio guide or a printed information sheet. Refreshments are not included.
The last Seacombe boat
The final departure from Seacombe in the day ends at Pier Head. It is not a full round cruise, so do not board it if you want the whole trip.
Cruise or commuter ferry
The sightseeing cruise and the direct commuter service have different fares. Merseytravel passes do not automatically cover the whole cruise.
Fares in 2026
Sightseeing cruise fares as listed by the operator for 2026.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, aged 16 and over | £14 |
| Child, aged 5 to 15 | £9 |
| Under 5 | Free |
| Over 60 or student | £12.50 |
| Family, 2 adults and up to 2 children | £39 |
| Family, 2 adults and 3 children | £42 |
Buy online if you can. An online ticket is valid for 12 months and does not have a fixed date or time slot. Tickets are also sold at the terminal by contactless payment, subject to availability. Be at the terminal 15 minutes before departure.
Our picks: on the Mersey
A 50-minute river cruise, alone or combined with a hop-on hop-off bus.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Mersey river cruise and hop-on hop-off bus
A 50-minute river cruise with digital commentary or an information sheet, plus a hop-on hop-off bus with English commentary. Refreshments are not included.
Check availability →Mersey sightseeing river cruise
A 50-minute cruise on the Mersey with a digital audio guide or a printed information sheet. Refreshments are not included.
Check availability →Mersey river cruises and city tickets
River cruise tickets and combined river and bus tickets for Liverpool, with live prices and availability.
Timetable for autumn and winter 2026
Times are for departures from Pier Head and Seacombe.
| Period | Pier Head | Seacombe |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | Hourly, 10:00 to 16:00 | 10:20 to 16:20 |
| Weekends and bank holidays, 5 October to 1 November 2026 | Hourly, 10:00 to 16:00 | 10:20 to 16:20 |
| Weekends and bank holidays, 7 November 2026 to 7 February 2027 | Last departure 15:00 | Last departure 15:20 |
Check the current timetable before you go, because boats can be cancelled at short notice, as the notice of 18 and 19 October 2026 shows.
Getting to Pier Head
Pier Head is on the central waterfront, in the same area as the Beatles statue and the Royal Liver Building. Royal Albert Dock lies further along the same waterfront, and our dock guide lists what is open there.
You can combine the cruise with a bus ticket or a morning at the dock. The Museum of Liverpool is at Pier Head too, and you can read about it in the museums guide.
Choose your day with the weather in mind. The river is open to the wind, and our Liverpool weather guide lists the monthly averages.
If the boats are not running
You can still see the river from the shore. Walk along the waterfront at Pier Head and look across the river. Our things to do in Liverpool page lists other options that do not depend on a boat.
Mersey Ferry: frequently asked questions
Is the Mersey Ferry running today?
Check the operator's service update. Sailings were suspended on 18 and 19 October 2026, and a return to normal operation is not guaranteed.
How long is the river cruise?
The Liverpool Sightseeing River Cruise lasts 50 minutes.
How much is a ticket?
In 2026 adults aged 16 and over pay £14, children aged 5 to 15 pay £9, and under-5s are free. Over-60s and students pay £12.50. A family of two adults and up to two children pays £39.
Do I have to pick a date when I buy online?
No. An online ticket is valid for 12 months and has no fixed date or time slot.
Where do the boats stop?
At Pier Head, Liverpool, and at Seacombe on the Wirral. Woodside is temporarily closed because of rebuilding work.
Does my Merseytravel pass cover the cruise?
Not automatically. Commuter ferry fares and the sightseeing cruise are priced differently, so ask before you board.