To book private dining for a corporate outing in Amsterdam, you contact a boat operator that offers exclusive private cruises, choose an arrangement that suits your group size and preferences, and then request a quote. The entire process takes place through direct contact with the operator — not through a ticketing platform. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions about private dining on the water in Amsterdam.
What makes private dining on the water different from a restaurant dinner?
With private dining on the water, you have the entire boat exclusively for your group. There are no other guests on board, dinner takes place as you cruise through Amsterdam’s canals, and the atmosphere is far more relaxed and personal than in a restaurant. That makes it significantly more effective for a corporate outing when you genuinely want people to connect with one another.
In a restaurant, everyone sits at fixed tables and half the group disappears into their own bubble. On a boat, you are literally close together. This creates natural interaction — even between colleagues who normally have little contact. Add to that the moving backdrop of Amsterdam’s canals and you have an evening people will remember for a long time.
Another major difference: a private dining cruise is fully customizable. You decide the menu, the route, the duration, and whether there is additional entertainment on board. A restaurant has a fixed menu and a fixed room. On the water, almost everything is negotiable.
What arrangements are available for private dining during a corporate outing?
Several catering formats are available on board for corporate outings. The most popular options are a walking dinner, a three-course dinner, and a drinks cruise with an extensive selection of snacks. Depending on the atmosphere you want to create, you can choose a more formally served dinner or a more casual walking dinner where guests move around freely and mingle.
An overview of the standard arrangements:
- Drinks cruise: appetizers and drinks on board, ideal for an informal business gathering (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours)
- Walking dinner: multiple courses served standing up, encourages conversation and movement on board (approximately 3 hours)
- Three-course dinner: formally served at the table, more structured and suited to representative occasions (3 to 4 hours)
- High tea cruise: afternoon arrangement with tea, coffee, and sweet and savory bites (approximately 2 hours)
- Barbecue on board: informal and festive, popular during the summer months
We are one of the few operators in Amsterdam where you can organize a fully private dinner on the water, with no other guests on board. This applies to every arrangement, from a simple drinks reception to a multi-course dinner.
How many people can take part in a private dining cruise?
On Amsterdam’s canals, boats can carry a maximum of 60 people due to the width of the waterways. For larger groups, we combine multiple boats, allowing groups of up to 1,000 people or more to be accommodated. Each boat operates as an independent private venue, while the evening can still be programmed as a shared experience.
For smaller groups from 10 people, more compact boats are available. For mid-sized corporate groups of 30 to 60 people, a single boat works perfectly. Once your group exceeds 60 people, we discuss which combination of boats works best for your program.
Please note that our boats are not wheelchair accessible. If you have guests with limited mobility, we recommend discussing this in advance so we can explore a suitable solution together.
How far in advance should you book a private dining corporate outing?
For a corporate outing on the water, we recommend booking at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance, especially during peak periods. The most popular months are April through June, September and October, and December around the Amsterdam Light Festival. During these periods, boats fill up quickly.
Planning an outing in January, February, or November? You will generally find more availability and can often book on shorter notice. That said, even outside peak season, the earlier you book, the more choice you have in terms of date, boat, and arrangement.
For large groups requiring multiple boats, we recommend starting even earlier — at least 3 months in advance. This allows us to coordinate the planning properly and gives enough time for catering preparation.
What does private dining on a boat in Amsterdam cost for a corporate group?
The price for private dining on a boat in Amsterdam varies depending on the chosen arrangement, group size, and duration of the cruise. As an indication based on 50 people:
- Drinks cruise: approximately €50 to €60 per person
- Walking dinner: approximately €110 to €120 per person
- Three-course dinner: approximately €120 to €130 per person
- High tea cruise: approximately €75 to €80 per person
These prices include the skipper, host, and catering. The exact price depends on your specific requirements, the chosen menu, and group size. For smaller or larger groups, the per-person price may differ. A tailored quote always gives the most accurate picture.
Also take a look at our dinner cruise arrangements for a more complete overview of what is possible.
How do you book a private dining cruise step by step?
You book a private dining cruise in five steps: determine your group size and preferred date, choose an arrangement, request a quote, confirm the booking with a deposit, and finalize the details ahead of the cruise. The entire process takes place through personal contact — not through a ticketing platform.
- Establish the basics: how many people, which date, what budget, and what kind of atmosphere do you want to create?
- Choose an arrangement: drinks cruise, walking dinner, three-course dinner, or something else. Combinations are also possible.
- Request a quote: get in touch with the operator and share your requirements. You will receive a tailored proposal.
- Confirm the booking: once you approve the quote, you confirm the booking with a deposit.
- Finalize the details: menu, route, timing, and any extras such as music or a presentation on board. We arrange all of this together in the lead-up to the cruise.
We exclusively offer private boat hire and never sell individual tickets. The boat is always entirely exclusive to your group, meaning you have complete freedom to shape the program however you wish. View our boat rental options for more information.
How Rederij De Nederlanden supports private dining for corporate outings
We provide private dining on the water for corporate groups of 10 to 1,000 people, fully customized and all-inclusive. What we offer:
- Exclusive private cruises with no other guests on board
- Multiple catering formats: from drinks cruises and walking dinners to formally served three-course dinners
- Boats for groups of 10 to 60 people per vessel, with the option to combine multiple boats
- Fully taken care of: skipper, host, catering, and any extras are all included
- Tailor-made menu, route, and program, aligned with your preferences and budget
- Extensive experience with corporate groups and MICE events
Want to find out what we can do for your group? Read more about who we are or request a no-obligation quote. We would love to help you find the perfect arrangement for your corporate outing.