School Trips
Take a Ferry 'Cross the Mersey with your class this term!
School Trips
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 Type
Price (1 April 2024)
River Explorer Cruise - Child (5 to 15yrs)
£8.30
River Explorer Cruise - Single Journey - Child (5 to 15 yrs)
£5.50
River Cruise & Sightseeing Bus Tour - Child (5-15yrs)
£14.80
Advanced booking is required for your trip, and we offer one free teacher/supervisory adult per 6 paying children. Additional adults - £12.75 per round trip or £7.00 for a single trip. For Cruise & Bus Tour additional adults - £24.80
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 0300 131 2881 (Mon-Fri 9am - 4pm).
- The discounted River Explorer Cruise/Eureka! Science + Discovery ticket offer for schools can be withdrawn at any time.
- The River Explorer Cruise discount is only available for schools that have pre-booked their visit to Eureka! Science + Discovery and are combining a cruise with a visit to Eureka on the same day.
- The offer applies to River Explorer Cruise tickets - Adult and Child (aged 5-15).
- The offer is available on both single and full cruise River Explorer Cruise tickets.
- 1 free teacher or supervisory adult ticket is available with every 6 children as part of this offer.
How do I make a school booking?
Please use our online booking form to book your school trip. We will send you an email to confirm the booking. We offer a free teacher/supervisory adult ticket for every six pupils. If you need to speak to a member of our team about your visit, please call 0300 131 2881 (open 7 days 9am - 4.30pm)
When should I arrive at the Ferry Terminal on the day of my trip?
Please arrive at the ferry terminal 10 minutes (minimum) before your scheduled departure time.
Is there parking?
Parking is not available at the Liverpool Gerry Marsden terminal (Pier Head) or at Seacombe Terminal, Wirral. However, groups can be dropped off and picked up outside the Liverpool Garry Marsden Ferry Terminal on Canada Boulevard and at Seacombe Ferry Terminal.
However, there is free coach parking at Woodside Ferry Terminal. This terminal is currently closed for refurbishment, but coach parking is available by prior arrangement. Woodside is located a very short drive from Seacombe Ferry Terminal.
Are there toilets at the terminals and on the ferries?
There are toilets and accessible toilets at all ferry terminals and on both Mersey Ferries.
Can we eat packed lunches on board and at the terminals?
Packed lunches can be eaten on board both Mersey Ferries. There are a variety of tables, chairs and benches both indoors and outdoors for groups to sit at whilst they eat their lunch. Bins are also provided on board. There are cafes serving hot drinks and refreshments on board both ferries, should teachers wish to purchase their lunch on board. Please note there is no available space to eat packed lunches at Liverpool Gerry Marsden or Seacombe Ferry Terminals.
How do we pay?
We will invoice the school/educational establishment following the trip.
Do you have a Risk Assessment?
Our School Safety Document will help you plan your day out, as well as help you to complete a standard risk assessment.
Are the boats accessible?
Terminals and both Mersey Ferries are accessible, for more details see our Accessibility page or please call 0300 131 2881 (7 days a week 8am-8pm)
When is the Dazzle ferry operating?
Mersey Ferries operate two vessels the Dazzle Ferry (Snowdrop) and the Royal Iris of the Mersey. The Royal Iris has a traditional black, white and red livery. The Dazzle Ferry timetable will tell you when the ferry is operating on the river. Please note we reserve the right to amend the calendar for operational reasons and cannot accept liability if the timetable is changed at short notice.
Is the commentary available in other languages?
The commentary is only available in English. However, we have fact sheets in seven languages, so your class can learn more about the landmarks they will see on the River Explorer Cruise. Please request foreign language fact sheets when you make your booking.