What does a dinner cruise in Amsterdam cost?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

A dinner cruise in Amsterdam sounds special straight away — and it truly is. But what does it actually cost? And is it suitable for a business dinner, a team outing, or a special celebration? In this article, we explain exactly what to expect, what determines the price, and when to book.

What exactly is a dinner cruise in Amsterdam?

A dinner cruise combines two things that show Amsterdam at its best: enjoying the canals and great food. You step on board, the boat glides quietly through the city, and everything is taken care of. No hassle finding a restaurant, no arranging taxis afterward. Just sitting together at the table, with Amsterdam as your backdrop.

The format can vary considerably. Some operators offer a simple cold cuts platter, while others serve a fully plated three-course dinner. There are also options such as a walking dinner, where guests eat standing up and can move freely through the group, or a buffet on board. Most serious operators work with private bookings, so the entire boat is reserved exclusively for your group.

What does a dinner cruise in Amsterdam cost on average?

The price of a dinner cruise in Amsterdam depends on the type of package, the duration, and the number of guests. As a rough guide, you can expect the following prices per person (based on a group of approximately 50 people):

Type of package Price per person Duration
Drinks cruise €50 – €60 1.5 – 2 hours
High tea cruise €75 – €80 2 hours
Walking dinner €110 – €120 3 hours
Three-course dinner €120 – €130 3 – 4 hours

These are indicative prices. For smaller groups, the price per person may be slightly higher; for larger groups, it tends to be lower. Most operators work with a fixed price per person, including food, drinks, captain, and crew. This makes budgeting considerably easier.

What factors determine the price of a dinner cruise?

The dinner cruise price is not the same across the board. This comes down to a number of variables that can significantly influence the total cost:

  • Group size: The more people, the greater the economies of scale. Smaller groups pay relatively more per person.
  • Type of meal: A walking dinner or three-course menu requires more preparation than a drinks platter, and that is reflected in the price.
  • Duration of the cruise: A two-hour cruise costs less than a four-hour evening program.
  • Type of boat: Larger or more luxurious vessels have higher operating costs. A classic salon boat carries a different price tag than an open tender.
  • Season: Demand is higher in summer and around December (Amsterdam Light Festival). This can affect both availability and price.
  • Extras: Think entertainment, a DJ, a speaker, or a custom-designed program.

Would you like a complete overview of everything that is possible? Take a look at our packages for canal cruises and dining options for a clear picture of the possibilities.

What is the difference between a dinner cruise and a regular canal tour?

On a regular canal tour, you get on, see the city, and get off again. Enjoyable, but it stops there. A canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam goes a step further: it is a complete evening program centered around food and drink. The cruise is the backdrop, not the main event.

Another major difference is the atmosphere. On a tourist canal tour, you are seated among strangers. On a dinner cruise, the boat is reserved exclusively for your group. This makes it far more suitable for business occasions, birthday celebrations, or any other moment where you genuinely want to connect with one another. The combination of movement, food, and a defined space also creates a very different group dynamic compared to a static restaurant setting.

Is a dinner cruise suitable for a corporate outing?

Absolutely. A dinner cruise as a corporate outing works for a simple reason: on a boat, you are literally together. There is no option to slip away to another room or leave early. That may sound restrictive, but the effect is actually very positive. People talk to colleagues they would not normally speak to, genuine conversations emerge, and the evening has a natural beginning and end.

For larger corporate groups, it is worth knowing that Amsterdam’s canals allow a maximum of 60 people per boat. Have a larger group? Multiple boats can be combined for a joint program, allowing you to be on the water simultaneously with 150 or even 200 colleagues. Want to know more about what is possible for corporate events? Read more on our page about corporate outings on the water.

A dinner cruise is also a popular way to close out a congress or conference. Groups spending the day at the RAI, the Scheepvaartmuseum, or the Beurs van Berlage regularly choose a cruise for an evening networking reception or dinner program. We have extensive experience with MICE groups of this kind and can also use the boat as a transfer between venues.

When is the best time to book a dinner cruise in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is beautiful from the water all year round, but there are periods when you need to act early. April through June and September through October are the busiest months for corporate outings. December is popular thanks to the Amsterdam Light Festival, when the canals are illuminated and a cruise becomes even more special.

If you want to cruise during one of these periods, book at least six to eight weeks in advance. For large groups or specific dates, three months ahead is not an unreasonable benchmark. During quieter months — November, January, February, and March — there is more flexibility and last-minute bookings are sometimes possible.

A useful tip: if your date is flexible, ask about availability on weekdays. Midweek cruises are often easier to schedule than weekend dates.

How Rederij de Nederlanden helps with a dinner cruise in Amsterdam

At Rederij de Nederlanden, we organize fully private dinner cruises for groups of all sizes — from an intimate dinner for 20 guests to a large corporate event with hundreds of attendees. We offer multiple catering formats on board, from a walking dinner and buffet to a fully plated three-course dinner with a choice of dishes. Your group always has the entire boat to themselves, with no other guests on board.

What we arrange for you:

  • A suitable vessel from our fleet of more than 10 owned and partner boats
  • An experienced captain and professional crew, including a host
  • Tailored catering: from drinks and snacks to a full three-course dinner
  • Beverages, bar service, and optional entertainment on board
  • Flexible routes along the canals, the Amstel, or the IJ
  • Everything arranged through a single point of contact — no hassle

Rederij de Nederlanden has been the specialist in corporate water-based events for over ten years and works closely with companies around the Zuidas, the RAI, and other major Amsterdam venues. We are happy to help you find the right fit for your group and budget. Read more about who we are or request a no-obligation quote for your dinner cruise in Amsterdam.

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