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Step aboard Christina, a fully restored 1937 Scandinavian motor launch available for private charter on the River Thames. Intimate, elegant, and famous for a 500-mile Mekong voyage, she offers 2–8 hour cruises ideal for photos, proposals, and small events.
Step aboard Christina, a fully restored 1937 Scandinavian motor launch available for private charter on the River Thames. Intimate, elegant, and famous for a 500-mile Mekong voyage, she offers 2–8 hour cruises ideal for photos, proposals, and small events.
Book with Luxe Boating
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Luxe Boating · Henley-on-Thames, England
Christina — as seen on The Grand Tour — is a 1937 Scandinavian motor launch available for private charter on the River Thames around Henley-on-Thames, Bray and Windsor. Built in Sweden in 1937 and one of only three ever produced, she wears her history with quiet elegance: gleaming varnished timber, brass fittings, and a hull that has recorded long-distance voyages, including a celebrated 500-mile journey along the Mekong Delta with a trio of television petrolheads. Fresh from a meticulous restoration, Christina blends original craftsmanship with modern safety and comfort, carrying up to six guests for anything from a two-hour sunset cruise to an eight-hour private event. Your meeting point is clear: The Old Smithy, 19B Hart St, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2AR, UK. From there a short riverside walk delivers you to a launch point framed by willow-lined banks, timber boathouses, and the tidy lawns where Henley Royal Regatta has defined the town's calendar since 1839. The river here feels intimate - broad enough for easy handling, sheltered enough for calm water under most conditions - making it ideal for photography, proposals, small celebrations, or filmed sequences that require vintage character and steady handling. On board you'll find a professional skipper, fuel and insurance included, and complimentary bottled water; bring food, drinks, and a light jacket for cooler evenings. Note the vessel is not wheelchair accessible, though ambulatory wheelchair users are welcome. The boat's vintage lines photograph beautifully against low winter light and green summer meadows alike; expect reflections of poplars and willows, moored punts, and the occasional swan or heron drafting along the bank. Because Christina is small and historic, charters feel personal: the sound of the engine is more like a conversation than a roar, and the crew can tailor the route - a languid glide past the rowing clubs of Henley, a scenic run toward Bray and the iconic Windsor reaches, or a secluded stop for a picnic on a quiet bank. Timing matters: golden hour softens varnish and brass; early morning brings glassy water and bird activity; high summer can produce bright reflections that sing in photography. Booking windows run 2–8 hours; Luxe Boating asks guests to arrive 15 minutes early and provides a QR check-in. Weather and river conditions can alter plans; full refunds are available with seven days' notice or in extreme weather. For anyone who wants a small-scale, storied maritime experience close to London, Christina is a rare living piece of nautical history that makes the River Thames feel cinematic and immediate. Ideal for couples, photographers, small film crews, and families seeking a quiet day on the water, charters can include customized itineraries, flexible timing, and quiet mooring spots chosen by the skipper to suit celebrations or contemplative escapes anytime.
easy.
2–8 hours.
Light activity: guests should be able to step aboard and move around a small historic launch; no strenuous fitness required.
Maximum group size is six people, per the charter listing.
Food and drinks are not included unless arranged in advance; you may bring your own provisions for picnics or celebrations.
The boat is not wheelchair accessible; ambulatory wheelchair users are welcome. Service animals are allowed and Luxe can discuss accommodations for neurodivergence.
Meet at The Old Smithy, 19B Hart St, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2AR, UK and arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete QR check-in.
Private charter of Christina includes a professional skipper, fuel, insurance, and complimentary bottled water.
Full refund is available with seven days' notice, or in the case of extreme weather that makes the charter unsafe.
Henley-on-Thames hosts the Henley Royal Regatta since 1839; Christina herself was built in Sweden in 1937 and later recorded a notable Mekong Delta voyage that raised her global profile.
Operators keep wakes low near banks, follow no-discharge practices, and encourage guests to carry out all waste; respecting riverbanks helps protect nesting birds and riverside vegetation.
Luxe Boating operates from Henley-on-Thames, England, offering a curated fleet of restored classic launches and electric self-drive boats for river cruises and private events. Guests can choose from hands-on electric self-drive launches or book restored vintage vessels such as Venetian water taxis, 1930s American launches, Edwardian-style launches and celebrated yachts with cinematic provenance. Trips range from short scenic cruises to private celebrations, romantic evenings, and special-event charters along calm British waterways. Luxe Boating maintains a focus on authenticity, restoration quality and quiet electric propulsion. Each vessel is presented fully restored or undergoing meticulous restoration where noted, with attention to mahogany finishes, period detailing and comfortable layouts for small groups. Safety standards and local licencing are observed for public and private operations on the River Thames and nearby waters. Bookings accommodate private hire, special occasions and experiential outings, with optional on-board services such as Champagne, canapés and professional stewarding on select vessels. The fleet includes named boats like Sophia, Gatsby, La Serenissima, Patricia, Christina, Miti and the legendary Atlantis, alongside electric self-drive options for independent exploration. Luxe Boating features on The Adventure Collective, providing added visibility and third-party recognition. Photographic views, seasonal cruising and tailored itineraries help guests create memorable river experiences. Reservations are managed through the operator’s booking channels with clear trip summaries, ensuring customers select the right vessel and duration for their needs. Customer enquiries commonly request flexible start times, tailored routes and photography-focused cruises, enabling personalised itineraries that suit celebrations, proposals and relaxed weekend escapes along the Thames.
Book with Luxe Boating