Official Amsterdam Light Festival Partner
Amsterdam Light Festival Private Buffet Cruise
Enjoy a Private Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet dinner Cruise
Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival in a relaxed and social setting with our Private Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet Dinner Cruise. Step aboard a beautifully restored, covered and heated historic saloon boat and enjoy our exclusive Arts & Lights Buffet while cruising past Amsterdam’s world-famous illuminated artworks. Featuring a generous selection of freshly prepared hot and cold dishes, this informal dining experience is perfect for corporate Christmas parties, networking events and festive gatherings where guests can mingle, enjoy great food and experience the magic of Amsterdam’s canals together.
Official Amsterdam Light Festival Partner
2 hour private Amsterdam Light Festival cruise
5 hot dishes & 5 cold dishes with sides
Stocked bar with open bar option
Elegantly set tables with linnen and tableware
Covered & heated historic saloon boat with toilet
including skipper, crew & boat rental
Rated 4.8 and price starting from €78.50 per person
Arts & Lights Menu
Our exclusive Arts & Lights Buffet has been carefully curated for the winter season and offers a generous selection of freshly prepared hot and cold dishes. With a variety of meat, fish and vegetarian options, there is something for everyone while you cruise through the illuminated canals of Amsterdam.
Cold Dishes
- Tuna salad with fresh tuna, haricots verts, red onion, olives and egg
- Pintxo with truffle tapenade, sun-dried tomato, thyme and garlic
- Smoked ribeye carpaccio with mushrooms and hazelnuts
- Spinach salad with blue cheese, pear and walnuts
- Assorted breads with pumpkin hummus, salty yogurt dip with pomegranate and pistachio, and herb butter
Warm Dishes
- Game stew with various types of wild game and a classic hunting sauce
- Pan-seared sea bream with seasonal vegetables
- Vegetarian curry with pumpkin and cauliflower
- Grilled winter vegetables
- Roasted potatoes with rosemary and sea
Optional homemade dessert
- Blackberry bavarois with blueberry cream, crumble and crispy rice paper
- Cheesecake with orange
- White chocolate mousse with chocolate crumble and hazelnuts
Reviews
Besides the fact that it is a historic and beautiful saloon boat, both the skipper (Skippie??) and the lady from the catering were naturally kind and professional.
The organization from the start to the final settlement was handled perfectly and neatly down to the last detail. Highly recommended!!!
Thanks in part to the helpful office staff, who thought of absolutely everything and guided us well during the months leading up to the wedding, as well as the hospitable and highly professional crew on board, our dream became a reality.
We approached several parties, but Rederij De Nederlanden clearly stood out above the rest in terms of flexibility and clearly demonstrable experience with large events!
They very considerate, very attentive and super festive!
You’ll also see all the spots of Amsterdam with them.
Drinks
Drinks are charged afterwards based on actual consumption. For groups looking for an all-inclusive experience, an Unlimited Drinks Package can be added to your private Amsterdam Light Festival Drinks Cruise. This package includes unlimited beer, house wines, soft drinks, coffee and tea throughout the cruise. For an extra festive winter atmosphere, mulled wine and hot chocolate can also be arranged upon request.
Perfect For
Our Private Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet Dinner Cruise is designed for groups looking for a more relaxed and social dining experience. Rather than a formal seated dinner, guests can move freely around the boat, enjoy the buffet at their own pace and spend more time networking, catching up and celebrating together.
This arrangement is especially suitable for:
- Relaxed corporate Christmas parties
- Informal end-of-year celebrations
- Walking networking events
- Company drinks with dinner
- Team appreciation evenings
- Business mixers & receptions
- Large groups with varied dietary preferences
- Festive family celebrations
- Alumni reunions
- International groups visiting Amsterdam
The generous buffet, informal atmosphere and optional unlimited drinks make this package ideal for groups that value flexibility, conversation and a cosy winter evening on Amsterdam’s illuminated canals.
Cruise Route
Your Private Amsterdam Light Festival Drinks Cruise follows the official Amsterdam Light Festival route, where you’ll pass approximately 20 illuminated artworks displayed throughout Amsterdam’s historic canals. Depending on canal traffic and your departure location, the exact route may vary slightly. During busy evenings, waiting times at bridges and locks are part of the authentic canal experience, giving you even more time to admire the light installations.
Prices
GROUPS 15–25 GUESTS
€84.50
Price per person excl. VAT
Drinks charged afterwards based on consumption*
GROUPS 15–25 GUESTS
€78.50
Price per person excl. VAT
Drinks charged afterwards based on consumption*
add dessert buffet
+€14.50
Price for two hours excl. VAT
More info on the dessert buffet click here
Add Private Guide
+€350
Price for two hours excl. VAT
Official Amsterdam Light Festival guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet Dinner Cruise private?
Yes. All of our Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet Dinner Cruises are completely private. The historic saloon boat is exclusively reserved for your group, allowing everyone to enjoy a relaxed evening together while cruising through Amsterdam’s illuminated canals.
What is included in the Buffet Dinner Cruise?
The package includes a 2-hour Private Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet Dinner Cruise, the exclusive Arts & Lights Buffet, a professional skipper, dedicated crew and a covered, heated historic saloon boat.
How is the buffet served?
Our exclusive Arts & Lights Buffet is beautifully presented in professional chafing dishes, allowing guests to help themselves throughout the cruise. This creates a relaxed and informal atmosphere where everyone can enjoy the buffet at their own pace.
Is the buffet a seated dinner?
No. Unlike our Dinner Cruise, the Buffet Dinner Cruise offers a more informal dining experience. Instead of elegantly set dining tables, guests usually enjoy a combination of shared seating and standing tables. This creates a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for networking, company Christmas parties and informal celebrations.
Is the food freshly prepared?
Yes. All dishes are freshly prepared by our catering partner before departure and are served warm from professional chafing dishes throughout the cruise.
Are vegetarian options available?
Absolutely. The buffet includes vegetarian dishes, and additional dietary requirements can often be accommodated upon request.
Is halal catering available?
Halal catering can often be arranged upon request. Please contact our team before booking so we can discuss the available options for your group.
Are drinks included?
Drinks are charged afterwards based on actual consumption unless you choose to add our Unlimited Drinks Package. This package includes unlimited beer, house wines, soft drinks, coffee and tea.
Can we add mulled wine or hot chocolate?
Yes. Mulled wine and hot chocolate can be arranged upon request for an even more festive winter experience.
Can we add dessert?
Yes. You can complete your Buffet Dinner Cruise with our optional homemade dessert selection.
Which artworks will we see during the cruise?
Our cruises follow the official Amsterdam Light Festival route, passing approximately 20 illuminated artworks. The exact route may vary depending on canal traffic, weather conditions and your departure location.
Will we see the complete Amsterdam Light Festival route?
Most of the official festival route is included. During busy evenings, Amsterdam’s canals can become crowded, which may occasionally result in waiting times. Your skipper will always choose the best possible route to show you as many artworks as possible.
Are the boats covered and heated?
Yes. All of our historic saloon boats are fully covered and heated, ensuring a comfortable cruise throughout the winter season.
Is there a toilet on board?
Yes. All boats used for our Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet Dinner Cruises are equipped with toilet facilities.
Which boat will we receive?
Your boat is selected based on your group size and availability. We always assign the most suitable historic saloon boat to provide the best possible experience. Smaller groups are accommodated aboard our intimate historic vessels, while larger groups may cruise aboard ships such as the Wapen van Amsterdam or Peter de Grote.
Can we choose a specific boat?
You are welcome to request a preferred boat, and we will always do our best to accommodate your preference whenever possible. However, our Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet Dinner Cruise Packages are based on assigning the most suitable vessel for your group size and availability. If you would like to guarantee a specific boat, the standard package is unfortunately not available. Instead, we will be happy to create a fully customised private charter where you can choose your preferred vessel, catering, entertainment and boarding location.
Can large groups book this package?
Absolutely. Our Buffet Dinner Cruise is ideal for larger groups. Larger parties are accommodated aboard vessels such as the Wapen van Amsterdam and Peter de Grote. Due to their size, these ships follow a slightly different route, including the Nieuwe Herengracht, Oosterdok and the Amstel.
Where does the cruise depart?
Our standard boarding locations at Amsterdam Central Station or Singel are included free of charge, depending on the assigned vessel. These locations provide the quickest access to the official Amsterdam Light Festival route.
Can we be picked up at another location?
Yes. We can arrange pick-up and drop-off at many locations throughout Amsterdam for an additional call-out fee. This allows your Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet Dinner Cruise to start or end at your office, hotel, restaurant or another convenient location.
Can we play our own music on board?
Yes. You can connect your own music via Bluetooth to the onboard sound system. Please note that Amsterdam regulations limit the sound level on commercial passenger vessels to 76 dB, creating a pleasant background atmosphere rather than a party setting.
Can the cruise be extended?
Yes. Your Amsterdam Light Festival Buffet Dinner Cruise can be extended for an additional fee, subject to availability.
What happens in case of bad weather?
Our cruises operate in almost all weather conditions. Rain, snow and freezing temperatures are no problem, as all boats are covered and heated. We only cancel in exceptional circumstances, such as an official KNMI Code Red weather warning, frozen canals or severe weather conditions that make sailing unsafe.
Why is the Amsterdam Light Festival surcharge not included?
The Amsterdam Light Festival surcharge is a mandatory fee charged by the festival organisation. As an Official Amsterdam Light Festival Partner, we are required to collect and transfer this fee for every guest.
What is the VMR charge?
The VMR is the municipal entertainment tax that commercial passenger vessels are required to pay to the City of Amsterdam. This mandatory charge is therefore listed separately from the package price.
Is the Buffet Dinner Cruise suitable for corporate events?
Absolutely. This package is especially popular for corporate Christmas parties, networking events, company dinners, end-of-year celebrations and other occasions where guests can move freely, socialise and enjoy a relaxed dining experience while cruising through the Amsterdam Light Festival.
Our group is smaller than 15 guests. Can we still book?
Yes. We also welcome smaller groups aboard our private boats. Our buffet packages require a minimum of 10 guests. For smaller groups, we can create a tailor-made quotation or recommend alternative catering options, including luxury bites, pizzas, walking dinners or a fully served three-course dinner.