What are the options for private dining in Amsterdam on the canals?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

On the Amsterdam canals, you can organize a fully private dinner on board a salon boat, a city tender, or a larger event vessel. You choose the menu, the route, and the guest list yourself, and the boat is always reserved exclusively for your group. From a walking dinner to a plated three-course meal: the options are extensive and fully customizable. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about private dining on the water in Amsterdam.

What types of dinners are possible on an Amsterdam canal boat?

On an Amsterdam canal boat, several forms of private dining are available, ranging from an informal drinks-and-bites dinner to a plated three-course meal. The most popular options are a walking dinner where guests enjoy small dishes while mingling, a buffet on board for a more relaxed setting, or a plated set menu for a more formal dinner. The choice depends on the atmosphere you want to create and the size of your group.

A dinner cruise on the canals combines the best of both worlds: great food while Amsterdam glides past. A three-course menu suits a festive corporate dinner, while a walking dinner allows more room for conversation and networking. A high tea cruise, on the other hand, is ideal for an afternoon program or a celebration. We offer all of these formats, fully tailored to your wishes and group size.

Important to know: we do not sell individual tickets and do not organize shared cruises. The entire boat is always reserved exclusively for your party. This means you decide on the dinner, the layout, and the program — without having to consider other guests on board.

How many people can you bring for private dining on the water?

For private dining on the Amsterdam canals, you can count on groups of 10 to 60 people per boat. Smaller salon boats are suitable for intimate groups of 10 to 30 people, while larger event vessels can comfortably accommodate up to 60 guests for a dinner on board. For larger groups, it is possible to combine multiple boats.

Capacity depends on the type of boat and the chosen dining format. A plated sit-down dinner requires slightly more space per person than a walking dinner, where guests move around freely. For groups exceeding 60 people, we work with multiple boats sailing simultaneously, allowing larger parties of 100 to 400 people to organize a private dinner on the water.

What is the difference between a dinner cruise and renting a salon boat?

The difference lies in who is on board and how the dinner is organized. With a dinner cruise offered by many providers, you purchase an individual ticket and share the boat with other guests you don’t know. When you rent a salon boat for a private dinner, you reserve the entire boat exclusively for your party, including a captain, a host, and catering of your choice.

We offer only the second option. With us, you always rent a complete private boat — never a seat on a shared cruise. This makes a significant difference in atmosphere, flexibility, and privacy. You decide when the boat departs, which menu is served, and what the program looks like. A private dinner on the water therefore feels far more personal than a standard dinner cruise surrounded by strangers.

Many other Amsterdam boat operators focus on tourist cruises with individual tickets. We focus exclusively on private groups who want the boat entirely to themselves, with all the service that comes with it.

What routes are sailed during a private dinner on the Amsterdam canals?

During a private dinner on the Amsterdam canals, our captains navigate the most scenic routes through the historic city center, along the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. Depending on the duration of the dinner and your preferences, the route can also include the Amstel or the IJ. Our captains know Amsterdam inside out and choose the route that best suits the time of day and the group’s wishes.

For a three-hour dinner, we typically sail a varied route where guests get to see both the narrow canals and the wider waterways. During the Amsterdam Light Festival in the winter months, we incorporate the illuminated artworks along the route, adding an extra dimension to the dinner experience. Larger vessels can also sail beyond the canals, toward Volendam, the Zaanse Schans, or the IJsselmeer, if you wish to combine a longer voyage with dinner.

Is private dining on the canals also suitable for corporate outings?

Yes, private dining on the Amsterdam canals is an excellent choice for corporate outings. A dinner on board combines a unique setting with a relaxed atmosphere that naturally encourages genuine conversation. On a boat, you are literally close together, which fosters interaction among colleagues in a natural way — without the distractions of a busy restaurant or a formal conference room.

For a corporate outing on the water, we offer fully catered packages: from food and drinks to a host on board who guides the program. This takes the burden of organizing completely off the event planner’s shoulders. Popular choices for companies include a drinks cruise after a meeting, a walking dinner for a team outing, or a plated dinner for a management evening or client dinner.

An added advantage for companies in Amsterdam: coaches are unwelcome or simply impractical in large parts of the city, especially for bigger groups. A boat is an efficient and far more enjoyable alternative, with guests able to enjoy drinks or dinner while already underway. We accommodate groups of 10 to 60 people on a single boat; for larger corporate groups, we combine multiple vessels.

What should you look out for when booking a private dinner on the water?

When booking a private dinner on the water, there are several practical points you need to arrange in advance. The most important are group size, type of dinner, budget, and preferred date. Popular times such as the Amsterdam Light Festival in December or the summer months fill up quickly, so book early.

  • Exclusivity: Check whether the boat is fully reserved for your group or whether it is a shared cruise. For a truly private dinner, you want the boat to yourselves.
  • Catering: Ask about the different dining formats available (walking dinner, buffet, plated menu) and whether the menu can be adapted to dietary requirements.
  • Duration of the cruise: A drinks cruise typically lasts 1.5 to 2 hours; a full three-course dinner takes 3 to 4 hours. Align this with your overall program.
  • Boarding location: Ask where the boat departs and whether this is logistically convenient for your group, especially if you are traveling from a conference venue or hotel.
  • All-inclusive or custom: Some providers work with fixed packages; others put together a fully bespoke program. Choose whichever best suits your needs.
  • Service on board: Ask whether a host or hostess will be present in addition to the captain, and whether audiovisual facilities are available if you wish to give a presentation or speech.

A good provider will think along with you and draw up a quote that matches your specific situation. Always ask for a detailed price breakdown so you know exactly what is and is not included.

How Rederij De Nederlanden assists with private dining on the canals

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 you want an intimate dinner for 15 people or a large corporate dinner for 300, we handle everything from start to finish. What we offer:

  • Exclusive private boats for groups of 10 to 60 people per boat, with the option to combine multiple boats for larger groups
  • Multiple catering formats: walking dinner, buffet, high tea, or a plated three-course menu
  • Fully catered packages including captain, host, drinks, and catering
  • Custom routes through the Amsterdam canals, along the Amstel, or across the IJ
  • Extensive experience with corporate dinners, client evenings, team outings, and celebrations
  • Electrically powered boats for a quiet, relaxed atmosphere on board

We are happy to think along with you about what best suits your group and occasion. Read more about who we are and how we work, or browse our packages on the Rederij De Nederlanden website. Would you like to know what the options are for your specific situation? Get in touch with us and we will put together a no-obligation custom proposal for you.

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