Enjoy Liverpool’s ultimate sightseeing experience on our 50-minute daily River Explorer Cruises. Learn more about the fascinating history of the River Mersey, and see incredible views of Liverpool's world-famous waterfront from the deck of the famous Mersey Ferry.
See Liverpool and Wirral's most iconic sights aboard the world-famous Mersey Ferry. Our 50 minute River Explorer Cruise offers stunning views of Liverpool's skyline and the River Mersey.
#DidYouKnow that The Beatles performed four times on The Royal Iris at The Cavern Club’s famous Riverboat Shuffle Cruises in 1961 and 1962?
Find out lots more interesting facts about city's rich musical heritage, learn how the ferries played their part in the First World War and hear more about Liverpool’s maritime history from the expert recorded commentary, which plays throughout the cruise.
All you need to do is sit back, relax and take in the views. You'll be captivated as the rich and fascinating history of our world-famous waterfront unfolds before you.
The fun doesn’t stop there, you can also hop off the ferry at Woodside and visit Woodside Ferry Village for some delicious food and drink.
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.
We strongly recommend that you book your tickets online before you visit. We have reduced our capacity to allow additional space. Your booking allows you to travel on any scheduled cruise on the date selected (subject to availability). Please arrive at the ferry terminal 15 minutes before departure and make sure you have your booking confirmation ready when you arrive.
You must wear a face covering for your entire visit, at our terminals, on the linkspan and on the ferry, unless you are exempt or under the age of 11.
We’ve introduced enhanced cleaning measures and installed hand sanitiser stations on the ferry and at our terminals.
Remember to keep a safe distance from others at our terminals, on the linkspan and on the ferry. To help you with this we’ve also introduced a one-way system at the terminals.
To help keep everyone safe, a few things will have changed since your last visit. We have been awarded the official UK ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark to show that we have followed government and industry Covid-19 guidelines and have processes in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
For more information about the changes we have made to help keep our passengers and staff members safe check out our FAQs below.
Booking Your River Explorer Cruise
Will I need to pre-book a ticket for a River Explorer Cruise?
We have limited the number of passengers that can travel on a River Explorer Cruise to allow additional space. We encourage customers to book their tickets online before they visit. Tickets can be booked online on the day of your visit. Your booking allows you to set sail on any scheduled River Explorer Cruise on the date selected (subject to availability). One complete cruise trip is permitted per ticket. Due to the reduced capacity, we encourage visitors to travel on the earlier daytime sailings if possible.
Please arrive at your departure point at least 15 minutes before your selected cruise time and have your booking confirmation ready to show to our staff members (digital or printed version).
How do I book a ticket?
Visit our River Explorer Cruise web page to pre-book the date of your cruise. Tickets can be booked online on the day of travel.
We have systems in place to comply with the government's track and trace legislation for all passengers over sixteen years of age, including QR codes to check in with during your cruise.
Can I buy a ticket at the terminal on the day that I would like to travel?
Yes, you can buy tickets at the ferry terminal on the day. Tickets are limited and are subject to availability.
Please note we only accept contactless payments at the terminals.
Can I get off the ferry at Pier Head, Liverpool or Woodside, Wirral during my River Explorer Cruise?
Yes, with a River Explorer Cruise ticket you can break your 50-minute River Explorer Cruise by getting off the ferry at either Pier Head, Liverpool or Woodside, Wirral. You can also stay on the ferry for the entire 50-minute cruise, the choice is yours.
How do I get a refund if the ferry does not operate due to weather or other operational issues?
Mersey Ferries has an excellent reliability record and operates in most weather conditions throughout the year. If in the unlikely event that Mersey Ferries cannot operate, please check our Terms & Conditions and email onlinebookings@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk with your booking information.
Can I book a group/ school visit?
To book your group or school trip call 0151 330 1420 (Monday to Friday 8am-4.30pm) or email groups@merseyferries.co.uk.
Find out more about our group and school trips here.
If I have a Merseytravel ticket or concessionary travel pass, can I use the ferry for cross-river travel?
The use of Merseytravel tickets and concessionary travel passes to cross the river during River Explorer Cruise sailing times is subject to availability. Merseytravel tickets and concessionary travel passes are not valid for the full 50-minute River Explorer Cruise; they can only be used for cross-river travel.
Customers with Merseytravel tickets and concessionary travel passes can only buy cross-river tickets in person on the day of travel (subject to availability), customers will not be able to pre-book tickets for cross-river travel. If tickets are bought online, they are non-refundable.
Please arrive at the terminal 15 minutes before your preferred departure time to buy cross-river tickets on the day of travel.
Gift Vouchers
How do I use my River Explorer Cruise gift vouchers?
Please take your River Explorer Cruise gift vouchers to the ferry terminal on the day you would like to travel. It is not possible to pre-book your River Explorer Cruise with gift vouchers.
Places on River Explorer Cruises are subject to availability. Please arrive 15 minutes before your preferred departure time.
Covid-19 Safety Measures in place
Will I need to wear a face covering?
Face coverings are mandatory in our terminals, on the linkspan and on the ferry. Children under the age of 11 and passengers with exemptions will not need to wear a face covering.
You can remove your face covering only when you eat or drink whilst sat in your seat.
Please keep a safe distance from your fellow passengers on your cruise and use the hand sanitiser provided.
If I’m feeling unwell on the day of my cruise, what should I do?
If you’re experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate, please stay home and follow the government guidance.
To move your River Explorer Cruise ticket to a future date please call our friendly staff members in the Contact Centre on 0151 330 1003 who will be happy to help.
Tickets for River Explorer Cruises are non-refundable.
What extra safety measures have you put in place?
We have been awarded Visit Britain’s ‘We’re Good To Go’ certification, as we have put in place a number of measures to help keep our staff and passengers safe. We have limited the number of passengers on our cruises and installed hand sanitiser stations in our terminals and on our ferries.
We have also introduced enhanced cleaning measures on the ferry and in our terminals and have signage to encourage everyone to keep their distance. We have installed protective screens at our ticket desks and have given staff members personal protective equipment such as face masks to keep them safe. One-way systems are also in place at our ferry terminals.
At this current time we are unable to accept cash payments at the terminals and only accept contactless payments.
Your Visit
What are the River Explorer Cruise sailing times?
River Explorer Cruises sail from 10am-4pm on Monday to Friday and 11am-3pm on Saturday and Sunday. The ferry departs Pier Head, Liverpool every hour and Woodside, Wirral at twenty past the hour.
Why is Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Wirral closed?
Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Wirral has temporarily closed for major refurbishment works. The works will see the linkspan bridges, which are over 130 years old and coming to the end of their operational life, replaced and the landing stage undergo a major refurbishment, including upgrading the mooring bollards and installing new powered gangways. Find out more about the refurbishment works here.
Is U-boat Story Open?
Please note U-boat Story is closed until further notice, due to ongoing maintenance work.
Is Café Cross the Mersey open on the Ferry?
Café Cross the Mersey will be open during your cruise, so you can buy drinks and snacks.
Are Woodside Ferry Village, Fab 4 Café, the Beatles Story Shop and Matou at Pier Head open?
Please check the individual websites for opening hours and further information.
Are the toilets in the terminals and on the ferries open?
Yes, toilets in the terminals and on the ferries will be open for customer use.
