What catering options are included with private dining in Amsterdam?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

When arranging private dining in Amsterdam, you can choose from several catering styles: from a walking dinner and drinks buffet to a fully served three-course dinner or high tea. The best fit depends on the atmosphere you want to create, the group size, and the duration of the event. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about catering for private dining on the water.

What are the most popular catering styles for private dining?

The most popular catering styles for private dining in Amsterdam are the walking dinner, three-course dinner, drinks buffet, and high tea. Each style suits a different atmosphere and occasion. A walking dinner encourages movement and conversation, while a fully served dinner feels more formal and intimate.

Here is a quick overview of the most commonly chosen options:

  • Walking dinner: guests move around and eat standing up, enjoying small dishes. Informal, interactive, and ideal for networking.
  • Three-course dinner: a fully served menu with a starter, main course, and dessert. More formal and suited to business dinners or anniversary celebrations.
  • Drinks buffet: snacks and drinks in a relaxed setting. Low-key and popular as a wrap-up for a meeting or conference.
  • High tea: sweet and savory bites served with tea or prosecco. Popular for afternoon events and team outings.
  • Barbecue on board: a laid-back option for summer cruises with an informal atmosphere.

The choice depends on the tone of the event. Do you want everyone mingling and moving around? Go for a walking dinner or drinks cruise. Looking for something festive and polished? A three-course dinner is the better fit.

What catering works best for a corporate outing on the water?

For a corporate outing on the water, a drinks cruise or walking dinner works best. Both styles encourage interaction and create a relaxed atmosphere without feeling too formal. For larger groups or closing dinners, a three-course dinner is also an excellent choice.

On the water, the setting plays a major role. Guests are seated close together with no option to step away to another room. That might sound like a limitation, but it is actually an advantage: everyone stays engaged, conversations flow naturally, and the atmosphere is relaxed.

For a corporate outing in Amsterdam, we recommend choosing catering that matches the duration of the cruise. A drinks cruise of one and a half to two hours calls for snacks and drinks. A cruise of three hours or more lends itself to a walking dinner or a full sit-down dinner.

How does an all-inclusive catering package work for private dining?

With an all-inclusive package, you pay a fixed price per person that covers food, drinks, and the cruise. There is nothing for you to arrange yourself: catering is fully taken care of on board, including service staff. This makes it straightforward to agree on a clear budget in advance.

All-inclusive packages are popular with companies and groups who do not want to worry about individual cost items. You know exactly what you are paying and what you will receive. For a private dinner on the water, this means you can focus entirely on your guests rather than the logistics.

Typical all-inclusive packages on the water include:

  • Unlimited drinks (soft drinks, beer, wine, water)
  • Snacks or a full menu, depending on the chosen package
  • On-board service staff
  • Skipper and, where applicable, a host or hostess

What is the difference between a dinner cruise and a drinks cruise?

The main difference lies in the intensity of the catering and the overall atmosphere. A dinner cruise in Amsterdam offers a fully served multi-course menu, while a drinks cruise centers on snacks and drinks in an informal setting. The dinner cruise typically runs longer and has a more formal character.

A drinks cruise lasts an average of one and a half to two hours and is ideal as a close to a workday, a networking moment, or a lighthearted kickoff to an event. A dinner cruise runs three to four hours and is better suited to a business dinner, an anniversary, or a farewell celebration.

Want the best of both worlds? That is entirely possible: start with a drinks round and then move on to a walking dinner or a fully served menu. These kinds of combinations are easy to plan on a private cruise where the entire boat is exclusively reserved for your group.

Can catering be tailored to dietary requirements or themes?

Yes, catering for private dining on the water can be fully adapted to dietary requirements and themes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary options can be incorporated as standard. For themed events, it is also possible to align the menu and presentation with a chosen style or concept.

Dietary requirements are easy to accommodate in private dining because the catering is put together specifically for your group. There are no other guests on board to factor in, which gives the caterer the freedom to tailor the menu entirely to your group’s wishes.

Themes that work particularly well on the water include:

  • Dutch buffet featuring local Amsterdam produce
  • Mediterranean walking dinner
  • Luxury high tea with champagne
  • Asian fusion menu
  • Seasonal barbecue

When planning, always clearly indicate how many guests have a specific dietary requirement. The earlier you pass this information on, the better the caterer can prepare.

How far in advance should you book catering for private dining?

For private dining in Amsterdam, it is best to book catering at least four to six weeks in advance. During busy periods — such as April through June, September and October, and December — it is wise to plan two to three months ahead. Popular dates fill up quickly, especially for larger groups.

Boat availability and caterer availability tend to go hand in hand. When you confirm a date, you confirm the package at the same time. If you wait too long, you risk losing your preferred date to another booking.

Practical planning guidelines:

  • 2 to 3 months in advance: ideal for peak seasons and large groups
  • 4 to 6 weeks in advance: sufficient for quieter periods
  • At least 2 weeks in advance: the absolute minimum for small groups outside peak season
  • Dietary requirements: submit no later than one week before the cruise

For corporate events coinciding with busy conferences or major events in Amsterdam — such as the Amsterdam Light Festival — booking early is even more important. Multiple organizations are booking simultaneously, and availability becomes limited.

How Rederij De Nederlanden supports private dining on the water

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. The boat is always exclusively reserved for your group. We offer a range of catering styles, from a drinks cruise and walking dinner to a fully served three-course dinner or high tea, and we tailor everything to your group’s preferences.

  • All-inclusive packages with a fixed price per person
  • Custom arrangements for dietary requirements and themes
  • Groups of 10 to 1,000+ guests (multiple boats can be combined)
  • Skipper, host, and service staff included
  • Sailing area: Amsterdam’s canals and the surrounding region (Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Muiden)
  • Electric boats for a quiet, relaxed experience

Want to find out what we can do for your event? Read more about us or get in touch for a no-obligation quote. We are happy to think along with you about the program, the catering, and the best date for your cruise.

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