Thank you for booking your Manchester Ship Canal Cruise.

Here’s some useful information for the 2025 Manchester Ship Canal Cruise season. 

A boarding card will need to be completed before boarding the ferry. Copies will be available for completion at the terminal and will be collected by a member of our team as you board the ferry.

Check the weather for the day of your cruise and wear appropriate clothing. We recommend casual clothes and warm layers. A waterproof coat is also worth including if the forecast is changeable. If the weather is good, please remember to bring sun cream.

We have a café on board, catering for all of your refreshment needs throughout the cruise. You may bring along your own picnic too.

You must arrive at your departure point at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

The image shows the Mersey Ferry sailing along the Manchester Ship Canal.

Please present your online booking confirmation with QR code at the boarding gate for scanning. You can either present this on your phone or have a printed copy. If you have purchased your ticket from a ferry terminal, please have your ticket ready for scanning.

Wirral and Liverpool Departures 

The map shows the departure points at Seacombe Ferry Terminal & Liverpool Gerry Marsden (Pier Head) Ferry Terminal.


Getting to Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Wallasey, Wirral

Seacombe Ferry Terminal is located a short drive from Junction 1 on the M53. Car parking is available in the Eureka! Science + Discover Car Park. The attraction has a pay and display car park on site. The car park access is from Birkenhead Road. The cost to park for the day is £10.50 (12 hours). The price can be subject to change. The pay and display machines take card payments only.

For more information visit merseyferries.co.uk/findus

Getting to Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal, Pier Head

Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal (Pier Head), is easily accessible by bus and train, with a number of bus stops and James Street Rail Station only a short walk away. Car parking is available at Q-Park Liverpool ONE, which is a ten minute walk from the Pier Head.

Visit merseyferries.co.uk/mscc and look at the Departure section of the page for more information. The postcode for this car park is L1 8LT. For further bus and rail information call 0300 131 2881 or alternatively visit merseytravel.gov.uk

Your cruise

Join the Mersey Ferry at Seacombe Ferry Terminal or Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal (Pier Head) for an enjoyable trip along the Manchester Ship Canal. Cruises normally last 6-7 hours.

Couple enjoy the views from the top deck of the Mersey Ferry on a Manchester Ship Canal Cruise.
The image shows the Mersey Ferry sailing along the Manchester Ship Canal.

Important Passenger Information

Cruises last approximately 6-7 hours. You will depart from Liverpool or Wirral, sail along the Manchester Ship Canal towards Warrington and enjoy a return trip along the canal before being dropped at your original departure point. The cruise will depart from Seacombe at the scheduled departure time and call at Liverpool 10 minutes later.  

The duration of this cruise can be variable due to weather, possible lock delays and having to give priority to commercial shipping traffic. Please be flexible with your onward travel arrangements and timings due to the variable duration of this cruise. The actual route and turning point of the cruise may vary.

  • You must arrive at your departure point thirty minutes before the departure time. We are unable to accommodate late arrivals.
  • The information you supply on your boarding card is essential for our cruise to comply with Maritime Regulations. For more information please see our Fair Processing Notice: merseyferries.co.uk/mscc
  • For the benefit and comfort of all passengers, smoking is not permitted on board the ferry, this includes e-cigarettes.
  • Only assistance dogs are allowed on board the ferry.
  • Food, alcoholic beverages, hot and cold drinks can be purchased on board the ferry. However, you are welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks.
  • There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. We do not offer a seat reservation service before or during the cruise.
  • Check the weather for the day of your cruise and wear appropriate clothing.
  • Due to the duration of the cruise, the trip may not be suitable for young children.
  • Please be aware that photography and filming may take place during your cruise, and may be used for the purpose of promoting Mersey Ferries online, in print and on social media. Should you not wish to have your image used, please make the on board photographer aware. For more information please see our Fair Processing Notice: merseyferries.co.uk/photography
  • Unfortunately, tickets are strictly non-refundable as per our terms and conditions.

Information for passengers with disabilities

The main deck of the ferry is wheelchair accessible and toilet facilities for passengers with disabilities are available on this deck. Access to the top deck is via steps only. Please note that outdoor areas on the main deck are limited.

There is no parking alongside the vessel at any departure point. The distances from the nearest drop off points to the ferry are: Seacombe - 150m, Liverpool Gerry Marsden (Pier Head) - 150m.

Mersey Ferries staff will be on-hand at the departure points to give you additional assistance.

If you need this assistance please alert a member of staff to your needs.

Information can be provided in alternative formats on request.

For our full terms & conditions please visit merseyferries.co.uk/terms

Manchester Ship Canal Cruise Route 

The Manchester Ship Canal Cruise route map shows the departure points at Liverpool Gerry Marsden (Pier Head) Ferry Terminal and Seacombe Ferry Terminal. Read below for more details