How to Choose the Right Package for the Amsterdam Light Festival With Colleagues

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

Choosing the right package for the Amsterdam Light Festival with colleagues comes down to three things: group size, how much you want to organise, and the atmosphere you’re looking for. Whether you want a relaxed drink on the water, an elaborate Christmas dinner, or a fully catered evening without any hassle, a private cruise with catering is the most complete choice for most corporate groups. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about Amsterdam Light Festival packages, so you know exactly what suits your group.

What types of packages are available for the Amsterdam Light Festival?

For the Amsterdam Light Festival, there are three main options: you can explore the festival on foot, book a shared boat tour, or arrange a private cruise for your own group. For a company outing or group event, the private cruise is by far the most popular choice, as it combines the activity, food, and drinks all in one place.

Those who prefer to discover the festival on foot can certainly do so. The official Amsterdam Light Festival route passes around twenty light artworks and is free to access. Popular starting points are the Amstel and the Keizersgracht. Afterwards, you can head to one of the many restaurants in the Jordaan, on the Leidseplein, or in the Pijp for dinner or drinks. This is a great option if you want to plan a small, informal evening.

For larger groups or a more complete programme, taking to the water is a more logical choice. You see the light artworks from the water, which gives a very different perspective than viewing them from the bank. You also don’t have to move from location to location — everything happens on board the boat.

At Rederij De Nederlanden, we offer three cruise options during the Amsterdam Light Festival:

  • Custom Private Cruise: a fully tailor-made private cruise where you choose the boat, catering, drinks, and boarding location yourself. Suitable for larger groups or groups with specific requirements.
  • Private Cruise Packages: pre-arranged packages with a fixed price per person, including boat hire, skipper, crew, and catering. Easy to book and ideal if you don’t want to arrange everything yourself.
  • Shared Tickets: a shared boat tour for couples, individual visitors, and small groups of up to 6 people. The cruise lasts 75 minutes, follows the official festival route, and can be booked directly online from €32 per person.

What is the difference between a private cruise package and a custom private cruise?

The key difference is the level of flexibility. A Private Cruise Package is a ready-made arrangement with a fixed price per person, while a Custom Private Cruise is fully tailored to your group’s wishes. With both options, the boat is reserved exclusively for your party.

A Private Cruise Package is the quickest and easiest way to book a complete evening. You choose a package, immediately know the cost per person, and don’t need to arrange anything else. Packages start from €47.50 per person (for groups of 15 to 25 people) and go up to luxury dinner options. This makes it ideal for corporate groups with a clear budget who want to decide quickly.

A Custom Private Cruise is the better choice if you have specific requirements that fall outside the standard packages. Think of a custom boarding location, a specific catering concept, entertainment on board, or a group with an unusual composition. Pricing starts from €250 per hour with a minimum of two hours. You build the arrangement together with our team based on what your group needs.

How many people can join a corporate boat tour during the Light Festival?

There is no strict upper limit for corporate boat tours during the Amsterdam Light Festival. The smallest private boats are suitable for groups from 15 people, while larger salon boats can accommodate groups of up to 60 people on a single boat. For even larger parties, multiple boats can be combined.

The boat is always matched to the group size, so it feels cosy rather than too crowded or too empty. All boats are covered and heated, which is a major practical advantage in winter. There is also a toilet on board, so you don’t need to interrupt the cruise for a stop along the way.

For groups with specific sizes or an unusual composition, a Custom Private Cruise is the most logical choice, as you can also select the boat yourself and be sure it suits your group.

What can you combine with a Light Festival cruise for a corporate outing?

A Light Festival cruise is best combined with catering on board, so that food, drinks, and the festival all come together in one place. This saves a great deal of organisation and turns the cruise into a complete evening rather than just an activity.

The catering options available with our group packages range from light snacks to a full three-course dinner:

  • Drinks & Bites Cruise (1.5 hours) – luxury snacks, suitable for an informal drinks reception or team outing. From €47.50 pp.
  • Art & Lights Buffet (2 hours) – hot and cold buffet, suitable for corporate outings and group dinners. From €84.50 pp.
  • Italian Buffet Cruise (2 hours) – Italian buffet, suitable for festive gatherings. From €89.50 pp.
  • Dinner Cruise (2 hours) – three-course dinner with a chef on board, suitable for Christmas dinners and business dinners. From €129.50 pp.
  • Walking Dinner Cruise (2 hours) – multiple small courses, free to move around on board, ideal for networking. From €132.50 pp.

Want to extend the corporate outing with something before or after the cruise? Amsterdam itself is the perfect addition. Drinks in the Jordaan before the cruise, or a night out on the Leidseplein afterwards, fits perfectly with a winter evening in the city. The festival typically runs from late November through January, so there is plenty of atmosphere in the city.

When should you book a package for the Amsterdam Light Festival?

Book as early as possible, preferably in September or October. The Amsterdam Light Festival is one of the busiest periods of the year for boat tours in Amsterdam, and private packages for corporate groups fill up quickly, especially in December around the Christmas period.

Companies planning a Christmas drinks reception, Christmas dinner, or end-of-year party often start searching in early autumn. If you wait until November, you risk finding that popular dates are already taken. Booking early also gives you more choice of boats, time slots, and boarding locations.

Please note that in addition to the package price, a festival surcharge and a VMR entertainment tax are charged separately. Always ask about these when booking, so you have a complete picture of the total cost.

How do you request a custom package for a large group?

For a custom package, contact Rederij De Nederlanden via the contact form or by phone. Please provide the group size, the desired date, the type of catering, and any specific requirements. We will then put together a proposal that suits your group and budget.

A Custom Private Cruise does not work through a standard booking form, as every arrangement is different. The discussion covers things such as the choice of boat, catering type, drinks option, boarding location, and timing. The more information you provide in advance, the faster we can put together a suitable proposal.

For groups that want a fixed price per person and have less need for customisation, a private boat package via the standard packages is the quickest route. These can also be viewed and requested online.

How Rederij De Nederlanden helps you plan your Light Festival evening

Whether you want to arrange an informal Christmas drinks reception or a fully catered end-of-year party for a large group, we help you make the right choice. Here is what we offer:

  • Private Cruise Packages with a fixed price per person, including boat, skipper, crew, and catering. Easy to book, clear on costs. Suitable for groups from 15 people.
  • Custom Private Cruise for groups with specific requirements: a custom boarding location, bespoke catering, entertainment, or a larger group. Fully tailored to your needs.
  • Shared Tickets for small groups of up to 6 people who want to join a shared boat. Book directly online from €32 per person.
  • All boats are covered and heated, winter-proof, and equipped with a toilet on board.
  • We are an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival and sail along the official route past approximately twenty light artworks.
  • More than 150 possible boarding locations in Amsterdam, so we can always find a point that is convenient for your group.

Want to know which package suits your group best? View the Christmas cruise packages or contact us for a personal proposal. We are happy to think along with you.

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