What are 6 good dinner cruises in Amsterdam?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

A dinner cruise in Amsterdam is one of the most memorable ways to spend an evening, whether it’s a corporate dinner, an anniversary, or simply a special night out with friends. You glide gently through the illuminated canals while enjoying food and drinks, with no need to walk to a restaurant or call a cab. But which providers are out there, and how do you choose the right one? We’ve lined up six options.

What makes a dinner cruise in Amsterdam special?

Amsterdam is one of the few cities in the world where you literally sail through the city center. The canals are at their most beautiful in the evening: the bridges are lit up, the facades reflected in the water, the bustle of the city safely out of reach. A canal cruise with dinner combines that view with a full dining experience, making it something people truly remember.

What also sets a dinner cruise apart from a restaurant is that the group is literally together the whole time. There’s no slipping off to the bar, no distraction from other tables. That makes it ideally suited for groups who want genuine connection, from corporate teams to families with something to celebrate.

1: Rederij de Nederlanden – luxury salon boat with dinner

We offer a fully private dinner cruise in Amsterdam, with the boat reserved exclusively for your group. No other guests, no shared tables. That makes it ideal for corporate dinners, anniversaries, or any occasion where you want the evening to be entirely your own.

In terms of catering, several formats are available: from a walking dinner and a served three-course menu to a buffet on board. Our packages are all-inclusive, covering the skipper, host, and service staff. So you don’t have to arrange a thing. Prices for a three-course dinner start at around €120 per person based on fifty guests, depending on group size and menu.

We don’t just sail the Amsterdam canals — we also cruise the Amstel, the IJ, and destinations such as the Zaanse Schans. Our salon boats accommodate groups of ten to well over a hundred guests, and for larger parties, multiple boats can be combined. All vessels run on electric power, so all you hear is the water.

2: Lovers Canal Cruises – large-scale and accessible

Lovers is one of the best-known names in Amsterdam’s canal cruise industry. They offer evening cruises with dinner on board, and their boats are large and easily accessible. Ideal if you have a group that wants a hassle-free experience with a reliable, well-established name.

The downside is that with Lovers, you’re often not the only group on board. For a corporate dinner or an intimate occasion, that can be less than ideal. The service is well organized, but it lacks the personal touch of a fully private cruise.

3: Stromma – international style on the canals

Stromma is a Scandinavian company operating in several European cities, including Amsterdam. They offer evening cruises in Amsterdam with dinner, and their boats have a modern, polished look. The service is professional and the packages are well thought out.

Stromma is a good choice if you’re working with international guests who expect a consistent, standardized quality. It’s less suitable if you’re looking for a tailored or highly personal experience, as the concept is fairly uniform by design.

4: Boat & Co – intimate atmosphere for small groups

Boat & Co focuses on smaller groups and emphasizes an intimate, culinary experience. The boats are smaller and the atmosphere is more personal. They work with local chefs and prioritize quality over quantity.

For renting a boat with dinner in Amsterdam for a small group of ten to twenty people, Boat & Co is definitely worth considering. For larger parties, however, the boats are simply too small, and you’ll need to look at another provider.

5: Those Dam Boat Guys – informal and original

Those Dam Boat Guys have a style all their own: informal, fun, and relaxed. They cater to groups who aren’t looking for a formal dinner but would rather enjoy drinks and snacks while cruising the canals. Think bachelor or bachelorette parties, or a team outing with a lighter vibe.

The catering is simpler than what other providers offer, but that fits their concept perfectly. If you’re looking for a proper dinner cruise in Amsterdam with multiple courses and full table service, this isn’t the right fit. If you want a party on the water, it’s a great choice.

6: What does a dinner cruise in Amsterdam cost?

Prices for a dinner cruise in Amsterdam vary widely depending on the provider, group size, and type of package. Here’s a general overview:

  • Drinks cruise with snacks: €50 to €60 per person
  • Walking dinner on board: €110 to €120 per person
  • Three-course dinner: €120 to €130 per person
  • High tea cruise: €75 to €80 per person

Keep in mind that most providers work with a minimum spend or a fixed price per boat. The price per person generally decreases as the group gets larger. Always request a custom quote, as the final price depends on the duration of the cruise, the menu, and any additional requests such as entertainment or decoration.

How to choose the best dinner cruise for your group

The right choice comes down to a few practical questions. How large is your group? Do you want the boat to yourselves, or are you fine sharing with others? Is this a formal dinner or a casual evening? And how important is a tailored experience?

  • Small group, intimate atmosphere: go with Boat & Co or a private option through a smaller operator
  • Large group, corporate dinner: choose a provider with private boats and all-inclusive packages
  • Informal and festive: Those Dam Boat Guys are a great fit for a relaxed evening
  • International guests or standardized quality: Stromma or Lovers are trusted names

How Rederij de Nederlanden helps with a dinner cruise in Amsterdam

We are one of the few providers in Amsterdam where you can organize a fully private dinner on the water, with no other guests on board. Whether it’s a three-course menu, a walking dinner, or a buffet — we tailor everything to your group and your evening. From ten to over a hundred guests, we handle it all from start to finish.

  • Fully private: the boat is exclusively for your party
  • Multiple catering formats: walking dinner, three-course menu, or buffet
  • All-inclusive: skipper, host, service staff, and catering included
  • Scalable: from small groups to large parties with multiple boats
  • Electric cruising: quiet, clean, and relaxed on the water

Rederij de Nederlanden is ready to make your evening unforgettable. Read more about who we are or request a quote directly for your dinner cruise in Amsterdam.

Related Articles