When I received an email a few weeks ago from London RIB Voyages™ asking me if we would like to go on a Jingle Bell Blast, how could I refuse!
London RIB Voyages™ was established in 2006 as the first speedboat operator on the river Thames. They have claimed many awards including “Best New Tourist Attraction: Gold Award” from Visitlondon and were voted Five Stars ***** by Timeout, London. Last year they became the Number #1 ‘activity to do in London’ on Tripadvisor and most recently were entered into the “Hall of Fame” after receiving our 5th consecutive “Certificate of Excellence” year on year. So I knew we would be in good hands!
What is the Jingle Bells Blast?
A 50 minute speed boat ride, blending a thrilling fast first half (to a medley of Christmas tracks) and a more sedate London tour for the second half. The children get to meet Santa and receive a little gift.
Sights you will see
London Eye / Somerset House / HMS President / London Bridge / Tate Modern / Shakespeare’s Globe / The Gherkin / The Shard / HMS Belfast
We made our way to the deck and it wasn’t long before Santa arrived with toys for the kids. He posed for pictures, had a chat and then he was gone. We were all fitted with life jackets and given waterproof coats, as it gets very chilly on the river. I would recommend bringing a hat!
Investigating her bag of treats from Santa
Then we set sail. Our guide was awesome, so funny and entertaining. We started our tour; after ten minutes or so the speed part kicked in and wow, we went fast! The music was blaring out and we were flying down the river at high speed.
For the first part of the tour, Baby was preoccupied playing with the toys that she had received from Santa. Then when the speed picked up, she got a little scared and hung onto me tightly.
It is worth bearing in mind that Baby is only two and a half, so it is not surprising that she was a little nervous.
The boat tilted from side to side, so you could almost touch the water at the side of the boat.
It was such an amazing, if slightly bizarre experience; sailing at speed, being a little scared and having Jingle Bells paid loudly. Well it doesn’t happen everyday!
Baby’s Aunty feeling the breeze!
I have never done a London tour, so it was great to experience a tour on water.
It was so foggy that we couldn’t even see the top of the shard.
Although Baby had a little wobble, she later said that she really enjoyed it and told everyone at Nursery the next day that she had been on a fast boat.
We then set off across London to Hyde Park to visit the Winter Wonderland.
I have never been to Winter Wonderland before and so didn’t know what to expect, but it is huge and packed with fun fair rides/games, entertainment and Christmas market stalls. 
Obviously, we had to stop for cake!
and to drive a team of Huskies!
Such a gorgeous carousel!
We visited on Sunday and it was very busy. Some areas in the narrower fairground section were quite difficult to walk through. However, there was so much to do and it was well worth the visit.
Baby had walked so far and had been awesome, so we said she could have a balloon. She picked Buzz Lightyear (which was £7!).
We had such a lovely day in London and would recommend London RIB Voyages, such excellent fun.
Disclosure: We were invited on the boat trip in return for n honest review.