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River Explorer Cruise

Enjoy a 50-minute River Explorer Cruise on the world famous Mersey Ferry, and see incredible views of Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront.

Our on board commentary highlights the River Mersey’s key landmarks as well as their history, so the cruise is the perfect mix of fun and education for your class.

River Explorer Cruises depart every day, on the hour from Liverpool Gerry Marsden, Pier Head, and also stop at Seacombe Ferry Terminal on the 50-minute round trip. You can choose to take a single journey from Liverpool Gerry Marsden, Pier Head to Seacombe, Wallasey or vice versa. This is a popular option for schools that want their coach to drop off on one side of the river and collect on the other side.

River Explorer Cruise & Eureka! Science + Discovery - Save 20%* on Ferry Tickets when combining your trip!

Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Wirral is home to Eureka! Science + Discovery - a new visitor attraction designed for children and young people up to 14 years. Visit to discover how Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics influence and shape our lives - connecting the everyday with the extraordinary.

A River Explorer Cruise is an ideal way to make the journey to and from Eureka! Science + Discovery. You can start your cruise from Seacombe with the option of breaking your journey in Liverpool or staying on and completing a round trip.

To help plan your visit, please see the following itineraries which combine the ferry trip with a visit to Eureka! Science + Discovery.  

Please book your school visit to Eureka! Science + Discovery before booking the Mersey Ferry part of your trip, contact Eureka! Science + Discovery to make your booking. Once you have booked tickets to Eureka! Science + Discovery, add your booking reference to the Mersey Ferries online booking form to secure your 20% discount on ferry tickets. *Terms and Conditions apply. 

River Cruise & Sightseeing Bus Tour

Another option is to experience Liverpool from land and water, with a River Explorer Cruise and a City Explorer sightseeing bus tour.

We can arrange for a dedicated open top bus to meet your group at Pier Head, Liverpool following your cruise. The bus tour duration is approximately one hour and will include Royal Albert Dock, the Cathedrals, and the Chinese Arch. With a live guide, it is the perfect way to learn about the city’s history and culture.

There is a minimum group size of 30 children plus adults and a maximum group size of 60 in total for the bus. We will confirm availability of the bus once a date/time is requested. 

Ticket Prices from 1 April 2023

River Explorer Cruise - Child (5 to 15yrs)

£8.00

River Explorer Cruise - Single Journey - Child (5 to 15 yrs)

£5.25

River Cruise & Sightseeing Bus Tour - Child (5-15yrs)

£13.50

Advanced booking is required for your trip, and we offer one free teacher/supervisory adult per 6 paying children. Additional adults - £12.00 per round trip or £6.75 for a single trip. For Cruise & Bus Tour additional adults - £22.50

We have two Mersey Ferries; the Royal Iris of the Mersey in traditional black, white and red livery and the Dazzle Ferry, the only operating Dazzle Ship in the UK. The eye-catching design was created by Sir Peter Blake as part of the First World War commemorations.

If you need help planning your day out and completing your risk assessment, please see our school safety plan document which is available to download at the bottom of this web page.

How to Book Your School Trip
To book your school trip please complete the following booking form, if you need to speak to one of our team please call 0151 330 1003 (Mon-Fri 9am - 4pm).

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