Amsterdam Light Festival Private boat tour

Frequently Asked Questions Amsterdam Light Festival Private Boat Tour 

Is the Amsterdam Light Festival Private Boat Tour completely private?

Yes. Your boat is exclusively reserved for you and your guests. You will never share the boat with other ticket holders, giving you the freedom to create an Amsterdam Light Festival experience entirely around your group.

What can we customise on our private boat tour?

Almost everything. You can select your preferred boat, catering, drinks, onboard layout, boarding location and additional entertainment. Our team will help you create a bespoke Amsterdam Light Festival Private Boat Tour around your group, occasion and budget.

Can we choose our own boat?

Yes. Unlike our fixed Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Packages, a bespoke Private Boat Tour allows you to select your preferred vessel, subject to availability. Our fleet ranges from intimate historic saloon boats to spacious event vessels for large groups.

Are the boats covered and heated?

Yes. Our boats are covered and heated, allowing you to comfortably enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival during the winter months. Rain, snow and freezing temperatures are normally no problem.

Is there a toilet on board?

Yes. The boats used for our private Amsterdam Light Festival cruises have toilet facilities on board.

Can the layout of the boat be customised?

Yes. Depending on the selected vessel, we can adapt the onboard layout to your event. This can include seated dining arrangements, informal seating, standing tables or a combination of seating and standing areas for networking and receptions.

What catering can we choose?

Our private cruises offer extensive catering possibilities, ranging from luxury bites and informal buffets to walking dinners and fully served private dining experiences. We can help you select a menu that matches the style of your event.

Can we have a private chef on board?

Yes. For selected dining arrangements, a chef joins the cruise and prepares and serves the dishes fresh on board. This is particularly popular for private dinners, corporate events and special celebrations.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes. Vegetarian options and many other dietary requirements can be accommodated. Halal catering can often also be arranged upon request. Please provide dietary requirements in advance so we can discuss the best options.

What drinks can we have on board?

You can choose between drinks charged based on consumption or one of our open bar arrangements. Beer, house wines, soft drinks, coffee and tea are available, while selected wines and seasonal drinks such as mulled wine and hot chocolate can also be arranged.

Can we choose our own boarding location?

Yes. One of the advantages of a bespoke private cruise is greater flexibility when choosing where to board. We have access to more than 150 boarding locations throughout Amsterdam, subject to accessibility and availability.

Is there an additional charge for a custom boarding location?

Our standard Amsterdam Light Festival boarding locations are included. Pick-up or drop-off at another location can be arranged for an additional call-out fee. This makes it possible to start your cruise close to your office, hotel, restaurant or event venue.

How long does a Private Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour take?

The duration can be tailored to your event. Around two hours is ideal for combining the festival route with drinks or dining, but longer cruises can be arranged if you want more time for dinner, networking or entertainment.

Which Amsterdam Light Festival artworks will we see?

The Amsterdam Light Festival route features approximately 20 illuminated artworks. The exact route and number of artworks you can see can depend on your selected vessel, boarding location, cruise duration and traffic on the canals.

Will we see the complete Amsterdam Light Festival route?

Most of our smaller vessels can navigate the main festival route. Amsterdam’s canals can become busy during the festival, so waiting times may occur. Your skipper will always choose the best possible route for your cruise.

Can large groups book a Private Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour?

Absolutely. Our fleet accommodates both intimate groups and large corporate events. Larger groups can cruise aboard vessels such as the Wapen van Amsterdam and Peter de Grote. Because of their size, these vessels follow a slightly different route via areas including the Nieuwe Herengracht, Oosterdok and Amstel.

What is the difference between a Private Boat Tour and a Cruise Package?

Our Cruise Packages are designed as convenient all-in-one experiences with a boat, crew and catering combined into a fixed arrangement. A Private Boat Tour gives you much more freedom to select your preferred vessel, catering, drinks, layout, duration and boarding location.

Can we still choose one of the ready-made cruise packages?

Yes. If you prefer a simple, pre-arranged experience, you can choose one of our Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Packages instead. These are ideal for groups that want boat hire, crew and catering conveniently combined without having to build the cruise from scratch.

Do you also offer shared Amsterdam Light Festival cruises?

Yes. If you don’t need a boat exclusively for your group, shared ticket cruises are also available. These are a more accessible option for individuals, couples and smaller groups who simply want to experience the festival from the water.

Is a private boat tour suitable for corporate events?

Yes. Private Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tours are particularly suitable for corporate Christmas events, client entertainment, networking events, team outings, company dinners and end-of-year celebrations because the experience can be tailored around the purpose of your event.

Can we play our own music on board?

Yes. Depending on the vessel, you can connect your own music via Bluetooth. Amsterdam regulations limit music aboard commercial passenger vessels to 76 dB, so music is intended to create background atmosphere rather than a nightclub setting.

Can we add entertainment?

Yes. A bespoke private cruise gives you the possibility to add suitable entertainment or additional experiences, depending on the vessel and your event. Our team can help you determine what works best on board.

What happens if the weather is bad?

We sail in almost all weather conditions. Rain, snow and sub-zero temperatures are normally no problem because the boats are covered and heated. Cruises are only cancelled in exceptional circumstances, such as KNMI Code Red, frozen canals or conditions that make sailing or reaching the boarding location unsafe.

Why is the Amsterdam Light Festival surcharge charged separately?

The Amsterdam Light Festival surcharge is a mandatory festival fee that we collect and transfer to the festival organisation for each guest. As an Official Amsterdam Light Festival Partner, we are required to charge this separately.

What is the VMR charge?

VMR is the municipal entertainment tax payable to the City of Amsterdam for commercial passenger transport. This mandatory charge is therefore listed separately.

How far in advance should we book a private boat?

We recommend booking early, particularly for Thursday and Friday evenings and dates close to Christmas. The Amsterdam Light Festival is one of the busiest periods of the winter season, and popular boats and time slots can become unavailable.

Can small groups also book a private boat?

Absolutely. A private boat does not require you to have a large group. For smaller groups, we can create a bespoke quotation based on your preferred boat, duration, crew and catering rather than using one of the standard group packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is the Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise private?

Yes. All of our Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Packages are private cruises, meaning the boat is reserved exclusively for your group. You will never share the boat with other guests.

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. However, Amsterdam’s canals can become busy during the festival, 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, regardless of the weather.

Can we stay warm during the cruise?

Absolutely. Rain, snow and freezing temperatures are no problem. Our boats are fully covered and heated, allowing you to enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival in comfort throughout the cruise.

Is there a toilet on board?

Yes. All boats used for our Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Packages are equipped with toilet facilities.

Which boat will we receive?

The boat is assigned based on your group size and availability. We always select the most suitable vessel for your group. If you have a preferred boat, please let us know. A specific vessel can be guaranteed by booking a fully customised private charter.

Can large groups also book these packages?

Absolutely. Our Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Packages are available for both small and large groups. Larger groups 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.

Can we choose our own boarding location?

Yes. Our standard boarding locations at Amsterdam Central Station or Singel are included free of charge, depending on the assigned vessel. Alternative pick-up locations throughout Amsterdam can be arranged for an additional fee.

Is the food freshly prepared?

Yes. During our Dinner Cruise and Walking Dinner Cruise, our chef prepares and serves the dishes fresh on board, creating a unique culinary experience while cruising through Amsterdam.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available for all of our Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Packages. Please inform us of any dietary requirements before your cruise.

Is halal catering available?

Halal catering can often be arranged upon request. Please contact us in advance so we can discuss the available options for your group.

What is included in the unlimited drinks package?

Our unlimited drinks package includes beer, house wines, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Mulled wine can also be arranged upon request.

Can we order drinks without the unlimited drinks package?

Yes. If you choose not to upgrade to the unlimited drinks package, all beverages will be charged afterwards based on actual consumption.

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, due to Amsterdam municipal regulations, music on commercial passenger vessels is limited to 76 dB, creating a pleasant background atmosphere rather than a party setting.

What happens in case of bad weather?

Our cruises operate in almost all weather conditions. Rain, snow and sub-zero temperatures are no problem. We only cancel a cruise in exceptional situations, such as an official KNMI Code Red weather warning, frozen canals or severe weather conditions that make it unsafe to operate or reach the departure location.

Can we customise one of the packages?

Yes. All packages can be customised to suit your event. If you’re looking for a fully tailored experience, we can create a bespoke Amsterdam Light Festival cruise with your preferred boat, catering, entertainment and boarding location.

Can we extend the cruise?

Yes. All Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Packages can be extended for an additional fee, subject to availability.

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.

How far in advance should we book?

We recommend booking as early as possible. The Amsterdam Light Festival is one of the busiest periods of the year, and many dates sell out well in advance.

Are these packages suitable for corporate events?

Absolutely. Our Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise Packages are especially popular for corporate Christmas parties, client appreciation events, team outings, networking events, end-of-year celebrations, business dinners and private festive gatherings.

Our group is smaller than 15 guests. Can we still book a private cruise?

Absolutely. We also welcome smaller groups aboard our private boats. However, our Amsterdam Light Festival Packages are based on a minimum of 15 guests. For smaller groups, we create a fully customised quotation based on the required boat, crew and catering.

Our buffet packages require a minimum of 10 guests. For groups smaller than 10, we offer a wide range of alternative catering options, including pizzas, luxury bites, walking dinners and fully served three-course dinners.

Contact our team and we’ll be happy to create a tailor-made proposal that perfectly suits your group size and budget.