Is a dinner cruise suitable for children?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

A dinner cruise immediately sounds like something for adults: a glass of wine, candlelight, gliding quietly through the canals. But what if you want to bring the kids along? It’s a question we get more often than you might think — whether it’s a family celebration, an anniversary, or a day out with the whole family, little ones included. The short answer: yes, a dinner cruise can work very well for children. But there are a few things you’ll want to know in advance.

What exactly is a dinner cruise?

A dinner cruise is a boat trip where you eat at the same time. That sounds simple, but there’s more variety than you’d expect. Some offer a plated three-course menu, others a walking dinner or a buffet. The trip typically lasts two to four hours, depending on the package you choose.

The big advantage of a dinner cruise over a regular restaurant? You’re not sitting still. You glide through the canals, past illuminated bridges and historic buildings, while the food is right there on the table. For children, that often makes it far more engaging than spending an evening at a table in a restaurant.

From what age is a dinner cruise suitable?

There’s no fixed minimum age, but experience shows that children from around six years old tend to handle a dinner cruise well. Younger children can become restless when they have to sit still for a long time, and on a boat there’s limited space to move around.

Toddlers and babies are technically welcome, but honestly ask yourself whether they’ll get anything out of it. For them, a shorter daytime boat trip might be a better choice than a three-hour evening dinner. Children aged six and up generally have enough to enjoy — the views, the food, and the atmosphere — to get through the evening comfortably.

What do children eat on a dinner cruise?

This is one of the most practical questions, and rightly so. Not every child is a fan of a three-course menu with refined dishes. Most dinner cruise providers take this into account, though how flexible they are varies from one operator to the next.

With a tailored package, you can let them know in advance that children will be on board. Think of a separate kids’ menu, simpler dishes, or a buffet setup where children can choose what they want. A walking dinner often works well for children: they can help themselves to whatever they like, which gives them a sense of freedom.

Always arrange this beforehand. A good operator will work with you to make sure even the youngest guests are well fed.

How safe is a boat trip for young children?

Safety is understandably the first concern for many parents. A boat on the Amsterdam canals moves calmly and steadily. The speed is low, the water is calm, and there is always an experienced skipper on board — all of which is very reassuring.

That said, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Railings and barriers: check that the boat is properly enclosed along the sides, so young children can’t get too close to the edge.
  • Life jackets: for very young children, you can ask whether life jackets are available.
  • Space on board: children are better off on an enclosed salon boat than an open boat, especially as evenings get cooler.
  • Supervision: running around isn’t an option on a boat. Children need to understand that they should move carefully, especially when boarding and disembarking.

Renting a salon boat in Amsterdam is often the safest and most comfortable choice for families with young children: covered, sheltered, and with plenty of seating.

When is a dinner cruise the best choice for a family outing?

A dinner cruise works best when the occasion truly calls for it. Think of a grandparent’s birthday, a family gathering, an anniversary, or a special moment you want to celebrate together. It’s not an everyday activity, but rather something to be savored.

For families, the rule of thumb is: the older the children, the more they’ll get out of it. Teenagers tend to find a dinner cruise on the Amsterdam canals genuinely special. Younger children may enjoy the boat ride itself more than the meal, and that’s perfectly fine too. As long as everyone has a good time, it’s a success.

What alternatives are there for families with young children?

Not sure whether a full dinner cruise is right for the age of your children? There are great alternatives that are just as enjoyable but better suited to younger guests:

  • Daytime boat trip: a shorter cruise of about an hour and a half during the day is far more accessible for toddlers and preschoolers than an evening dinner.
  • Drinks cruise with snacks: less formal than a dinner, with more freedom for children to move around and snack.
  • Custom private cruise: you decide how long you sail, what you eat, and how the evening is structured. Ideal if you want to tailor the experience to a mixed group of adults and children.

A private cruise where you have the entire boat to yourselves gives you the most flexibility. There’s no need to consider other guests, children can be a little more themselves, and you set the pace of the evening.

How Rederij de Nederlanden helps with a dinner cruise for children

At Rederij de Nederlanden, we understand that an outing with children comes with different needs than a purely corporate evening. We offer private cruises where the boat is exclusively yours, from start to finish. No other guests, no rigid schedule, and plenty of room to adapt the program to whoever is on board.

  • Choice of multiple catering styles: from a walking dinner and buffet to a plated menu
  • Option to arrange a kids’ menu or simpler dishes
  • Enclosed salon boats suitable for evening cruises with families
  • Experienced skipper and hostess on board, so you can relax and enjoy
  • Fully customized packages, including for mixed groups with children

Rederij de Nederlanden has over ten years of experience organizing memorable cruises for a wide variety of groups. Read more about who we are and discover why so many families and groups choose us. Want to find out what’s possible for your outing? Send us a no-obligation inquiry and we’ll be happy to think along with you.

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