Hello-
I just found out that there is no live tour guide available with the "Thames River Cruise” company (to take a Thames River cruise).
One must have a smart phone, which I do not have, to hear the audio guide.
Are the museums the same way? and any suggestions for a different cruise company which might be more accommodating?
Thanks in advance for your responses. This will be our first time in London, spending 7 days in October.
Haven't used this company personally but it states, "....we’re well-known for our entertaining live commentary. We also have an audio commentary service available in a number of languages via smartphones." Sounds like they have both.
(Under "Do you provide a free commentary on the cruise?"?
It's a bit of a mixed bag - I still see plenty of audio guides available at museums, but many (smaller ones in particular) seem to lean towards scanning QR codes with phones. Its cheaper for them, easier to update and amend, and given virtually everyone travels with a phone nowadays it is becoming common. Both the British Museum and the V&A have audio apps - not sure if they still have physical devices for loan.
Having said that, I travel with a smartphone but don't use audio guides. I prefer just to read signage and make my own way around.
I have a smart phone but it is an android and I have been trained on an iPhone. I have had real difficulties with this phone learning how to use apps.
It seems like the travel world assumes that you have. smart phone. Maybe the whole world does, maybe it is not limited to travel.
I have been forced to download apps and learn how to use them but I also have an iPad and can sometimes use that.
I suggest, if possible, you try to upgrade to a smart phone. There are service providers that offer androids and windows at decent cost. You can even pay them off.
I was in London for the first time last October and really loved it.
One "work-around" is tapping into your friends and family.
I know I have a box of old smartphones. Most folks probably do. I've been in the Apple eco-system for well over a decade, so have the normal pacing of models that lots of folks have - every other or every third iteration.
So, say your sibling or child or tech-savvy friend is on the latest Samsung or Apple phone, odds are that they took their older (but very viable) cell, migrated their stuff, and then tossed it in a drawer or box somewhere as a "back-up" in case they lost their new phone. That never happens :D so all of a sudden, they have an iPhone 6, 8, and 11 somewhere gathering dust, and if asked, they would surely say, "It's yours!". A minute to wipe it clean (of dust and old user data), and you're good to go! Add a cheap SIM or an eSIM and you can be all set for museums. If you don't want to do a SIM, you can still just wait until getting to the museum, join their free wifi, and scan their QR code, and boom! On your way. Also, if you know the museums, you can proactively download their app or other stuff while at home over your own wifi.
Keep in mind, an Apple iPad, a Samsung tablet, and maybe a Kindle Fire (are those still made?) all will function in the museum exactly as a smartphone would - ie connect to free wifi, stream the audio, and allow other "smart" features. No "phone" required.
A slightly different work-around, if you are travelling with someone who DOES have a smart phone and will be using the museum guides with you is simply to share the audio - ie you get the left ear bud, and they get the right ear one. It works best with somethin like an airpod, but can work with wired (don't recommend except in a pinch).
I read the title and was a bit shocked at my reaction which was, “ I would never do London without a smart phone.” Of course I have done London in the past without any sort of phone, but it makes travel just so much easier I can’t imagine going back to traveling without one.
Here are the sorts of things I do. Transport. Keep digital train tickets in the wallet, Citymapper app gives me transport options, maps, real time info and tracking. Sometimes use Apple Pay for fares. Uber app- for those few times I don’t want to use the tube. Lodging/reservations - keep digital copies of all confirmations, TripIt App keeps all plans in on easy access location. Camera- I use the camera on my smart phone to take pictures. Then I use my Polarsteps app to upload pictures and commentary to share with family back home in real time. Communication - texts with family or travel companions.
Now I realize I haven’t answered your real question about Thames river cruises. I usually just take an Uber boat which has no commentary. I would cross that one off your list if commentary is important.
Kindle Fires are still made, but the camera can't read QR codes, and there does not appear to be an app that you can download (as it has to be an Amazon App, not a normal App Store app) to get the camera to read QR codes. I have tried and miserably failed.
So I can't read virtual restaurant menus for instance. It doesn't bother me one iota, if they don't want my trade by providing physical menus it is their loss, not mine.
Re- the actual question- several companies do a Thames River Cruise. It is unclear which you are booked on to be able to offer advice.
I think Kathy was on the money with the link provided in the second post in the thread. Thames River Sightseeing is the company that is the first hit on Google to the OP's search term. The live commentary is in English, other languages are recorded and accessed from your phone. That sounds the most likely to me.
I've never been on one, but you can certainly hear a live commentary when one of the boats sails underneath a bridge.
ehatt can confirm if Thames River Sightseeing is indeed the service in question.
