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OUR VESSELS

Excel & 02

Use of Excel and royal docks

Customers should be aware of the following restrictions and charges when choosing to embark or disembark at Excel.

It usually takes at least 1-1 ½ hours each way to lock in and cruise through the docks. This is due to a number of external factors such as tides, traffic over bridges (Connaught swing bridge and Woolwich Manor way lift bridge), the flight path and time of day. Although we can book slots to lock in and or lock out, it can take considerably longer because of delays caused by the above.

Route into the docklands

1. Into Lock; approximately 10-15 mins
2. Lift bridge; this can take from a 5 – 30 mins depending on the amount of traffic over the bridge and the height of the tide. Traffic must be stopped to allow the bridge to lift and the vessel to cruise through to King George Dock. Traffic takes priority over the bridge at peak rush hour times.
3. Flight path; 10-30 mins depending on how busy the airport is. The crew must gain clearance from the airport to cross the flight path.
4. Swing bridge; 10-30 mins depending on the amount of traffic over the bridge. The traffic takes priority at peak rush hour times. Traffic must be stopped to allow the bridge to swing and the vessel to cruise through to Royal Victoria Dock.
5. Quayside; this will take 5-10 mins whilst the vessel pulls alongside and the railings are removed by Excel staff so that guests can embark or disembark.

If you require to then cruise along the Thames, we must repeat the above in reverse order.

Restrictions on ship movements

City Airport
Vessel movements in royal docks are sometimes restricted by city airport between the hours of 6.30am-10.30pm Monday – Friday, 6.30am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 12.30pm-10.30pm on Sundays.

Bridges
Bridges cannot be opened between 7.30am-9.30am and 4.30pm-6.30pm Monday – Saturday due to rush hour traffic.

Charges

Thames Leisure charge
We operate a minimum 4 hours charge for any of our cruises. If customers would like to start their cruise at or any pier past Canary Wharf, we will add an extra hours charge (see terms and conditions). We also add an additional 2-3 hours charge at half the hourly rate as staff and crew will need to leave central London early to cruise down to Excel and allow time to get into the Royal Docks.

Excel and RODMA charges
• Thames Leisure rates for hire of the vessel: £280-£495 per hour (depending on vessel) minimum 4 hours charge, plus 1 hours additional charge, plus 3 hours ½ hourly rate charge to cover staff costs.
• RODMA locking in/out fee, up to £850 + VAT. This is the maximum charge for one of our larger vessels. The fee is likely to be lower as the charge is based on the size of the vessel.
• Excel event rate for any vessel moored at Excel but not offering hospitality at £600 + VAT
• Excel hospitality rate for any vessel where the primary purpose is to provide hospitality at £1100 + VAT per day
Additional charges may be applicable: out of hours fees for RODMA staffing depending on the size/nature of the event, and for vessels staying overnight or more than one day.
All Excel fees are to be arranged by the organizer directly with Excel.

Other options

It may be easier and more cost effective to hire coaches to transport guests from Excel to Canary Wharf pier, and then cruise to and from there. The pier charge is £65 - £140 + VAT per stop, and coach transfers vary between £300-£800 + VAT dependant on the number of guests and the number of trips between Excel and Canary Wharf required (plus normal Thames Leisure rates).

Please contact About Town carriages directly on 0207 069 5050 or view their website at http://www.abouttowncarriages.co.uk