Yes, you can certainly cruise in Amsterdam with a corporate group on King’s Day, but you need to book early. King’s Day is one of the most popular days of the year for King’s Day group activities on the water. Most boat companies are fully booked months in advance for this national holiday. Planning is therefore crucial for a successful King’s Day team outing.
What makes King’s Day so special for cruising in Amsterdam?
King’s Day on the water is a unique experience you won’t get anywhere else. The entire city turns orange and the canals transform into a massive outdoor festival where thousands of boats celebrate together. For companies, this is the perfect moment to combine team building with the most exuberant day of the year.
Cruising in Amsterdam during King’s Day has a magical atmosphere. You sail among hundreds of other boats, everyone is in a festive mood and the whole city participates. Colleagues automatically grow closer because you’re literally on a boat together and part of this enormous folk festival.
The canals are filled with music, laughter and orange decorations. From the water you see Amsterdam like you’ve never seen it before: balconies full of party-goers, houses decorated in orange and people everywhere celebrating the monarchy together. For corporate groups, this is a team outing no one will quickly forget.
Can you even still reserve a boat for King’s Day?
The reality is that most boats for King’s Day are already fully booked in January and February. Popular time slots, such as between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM, are often the first to go. Last-minute bookings rarely work, unless you’re lucky with cancellations.
Boat companies know that King’s Day is their peak day. Many companies even book directly after King’s Day for the following year. Demand is so high that some boat companies use lottery systems for their most popular boats.
Still want a chance at a boat for King’s Day? Start looking at least six months in advance. Early morning (before 11:00 AM) and late afternoon (after 5:00 PM) offer better chances of availability. Smaller boats for 10–20 people are sometimes still available, because most corporate groups are larger.
How much does it cost to cruise with a corporate group on King’s Day?
Cruising on King’s Day usually costs two to three times as much as on a normal day. Where you normally pay €50–60 per person for a drinks cruise, this ranges between €100–150 per person on King’s Day. For a three-course dinner, prices rise from €120–130 to €200–250 per person.
The higher costs come from enormous demand and limited availability. Boat companies can raise their rates because companies are willing to pay more for this unique day. There are also extra costs for crew working on a national holiday.
Group size makes a big difference. Smaller groups (10–20 people) pay relatively more per person than large groups (50+ people). All-inclusive packages are popular because you won’t get surprises with extra costs for drinks or snacks during the busiest day of the year.
| Package Type | Normal Day (per person) | King’s Day (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks Cruise (2 hours) | €50–60 | €100–150 |
| Three-Course Dinner (4 hours) | €120–130 | €200–250 |
| High Tea Cruise (2 hours) | €75–80 | €130–180 |
What alternatives do you have if King’s Day is already fully booked?
King’s Night (April 26th) is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative. Many companies organize their King’s Day corporate outing on the evening before. The atmosphere is already festive, prices are lower and you have more choice of available boats.
In the weekend before or after King’s Day you can organize a corporate outing with an orange theme. Ask your guests to come dressed in orange, decorate the boat orange and create your own King’s Day atmosphere. You get the same team building experience for a fraction of the cost.
Other water events in Amsterdam offer comparable experiences. Think of the Canal Festival in August, the Amsterdam Light Festival in winter or Sail Amsterdam. These events have their own unique atmosphere and are often easier to book for corporate groups.
A canal cruise on or around King’s Day without the actual King’s Day element can also work. Organize your team outing on a regular day in April or May, but with an orange theme. You save money and have more control over timing and program.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with King’s Day corporate outings
We understand that King’s Day arrangements for corporate groups require special planning. That’s why we help companies from October onwards with securing their King’s Day plans for the following year. Our experience of more than ten years ensures we know exactly what’s involved in organizing a successful corporate outing on this busy day.
Our approach for King’s Day corporate outings:
- Early booking advantage: reserve before December and get priority on our finest boats
- All-inclusive packages: no surprises with extra costs on the day itself
- Flexible group sizes: from 12 to 175 people on one boat
- Complete service: we arrange crew, catering and entertainment
- Alternative dates: if King’s Day is full, we advise you on the best alternatives
Want to know more about our King’s Day possibilities? Our experienced team is ready to help you plan an unforgettable corporate outing. Contact us for a no-obligation conversation about your King’s Day plans.
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