A private drinks cruise in Amsterdam costs businesses an average of €50 to €60 per person for a drinks cruise of 1.5 to 2 hours, based on a group of approximately 50 people. The total price depends on group size, the duration of the cruise, catering, and the type of boat. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about costs, what’s included, and how to book a drinks cruise for your corporate outing.
What determines the price of a drinks cruise in Amsterdam?
The price of a drinks cruise in Amsterdam is determined by four factors: group size, duration of the cruise, type of boat, and catering. The larger the group, the lower the price per person. The more extensive the program, the higher the total cost. These are the variables you will always encounter when requesting a quote.
In concrete terms, this means:
- Group size: Per-person prices decrease with larger groups. A boat for 15 people costs more per head than the same cruise for 50 people.
- Duration: A 1.5-hour drinks cruise costs less than a 3-hour evening with a walking dinner.
- Type of boat: Open launches, enclosed salon boats, and large event vessels each fall into their own price range.
- Catering: Drinks and snacks are less expensive than a served dinner or barbecue on board.
- Season and date: Peak periods such as June, September, and December are more expensive than quieter months.
Important to know: when booking a drinks cruise in Amsterdam, you always rent the entire boat privately. You are not paying per seat, but for the exclusive use of the vessel for your group.
What are the average costs of a corporate drinks cruise?
For a standard drinks cruise of 1.5 to 2 hours, costs average between €50 and €60 per person, including skipper, crew, and a drinks-and-snacks package. For more extensive packages, costs can rise to €75 to €130 per person. These are indicative prices based on a group of 50 people.
Here is an overview of the most popular packages:
- Drinks cruise (1.5 to 2 hours): €50 to €60 per person
- High tea cruise (2 hours): €75 to €80 per person
- Walking dinner (3 hours): €110 to €120 per person
- Three-course dinner (3 to 4 hours): €120 to €130 per person
Would you like a rough estimate for your specific situation? Request a quote through Rederij De Nederlanden. That way, you’ll quickly know where you stand, with no surprises afterward.
What is included in an all-inclusive drinks cruise package?
An all-inclusive drinks cruise package standardly includes the rental of the entire boat, a skipper, crew, and a hospitality package with snacks and drinks. The boat is reserved exclusively for your group — there are no other guests on board. Exactly what is included varies by provider and package.
A good all-inclusive corporate package typically includes the following:
- Exclusive use of the entire boat
- Experienced skipper and host/hostess
- Drinks and snacks or custom catering
- Drinks package (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
- Audio facilities and optional entertainment
- Assistance with planning your program
More extensive packages, such as a dinner cruise, also include multiple courses — from a walking dinner and buffet to a fully served set menu. So on the evening itself, you won’t have to worry about a thing.
How many people can fit on a drinks cruise boat in Amsterdam?
Depending on the type of boat, a drinks cruise vessel in Amsterdam can accommodate between 10 and 150 people. On Amsterdam’s canals, a maximum of approximately 60 people per boat applies due to the width of the waterways. For larger groups, multiple boats are combined, allowing parties of 200 or more to cruise together.
In practical terms, it works like this:
- Small groups (10 to 30 people): Compact salon boats or open launches, perfect for an informal drinks gathering.
- Medium-sized groups (30 to 60 people): Larger salon boats with full on-board catering.
- Large groups (60 to 400+ people): A combination of multiple boats traveling together, each with its own crew and catering.
For a corporate outing with a large group, it’s wise to discuss this early so that the right fleet combination is available on your preferred date.
When is it cheaper to rent a drinks cruise boat?
Renting a drinks cruise boat is cheaper outside peak periods: November, January, February, and March are the quietest months, with greater availability and sometimes lower rates. The busiest and most expensive periods are April through June, September and October, and December around the Amsterdam Light Festival.
Practical tips for keeping costs down:
- Schedule your outing on a weekday rather than a Friday or Saturday.
- Choose the off-season if your date is flexible.
- Book early, especially for September and December, as popular dates fill up quickly.
- Consider a shorter 1.5-hour cruise if your budget is limited.
For associations and smaller organizations with a tighter budget, the off-season is an excellent time to organize a great cruise without compromising on quality.
How do you book a private drinks cruise for a corporate outing in Amsterdam?
To book a private drinks cruise for a corporate outing, contact a boat charter company, share your requirements and group size, and request a tailored quote. Good providers work exclusively with private bookings and do not sell individual tickets or shared cruises. This ensures the boat is always entirely reserved for your group.
The booking process typically involves a few steps:
- Get in touch and provide the date, group size, and desired duration.
- Receive a tailored quote with a concrete proposal for the boat, catering, and program.
- Discuss the details, such as dietary requirements, music, or a specific program element.
- Confirm the booking with a deposit and receive a confirmation.
- Enjoy the cruise — the charter company takes care of everything else.
When comparing providers, check whether they offer exclusively private cruises. Many boat tour operators in Amsterdam cater to tourists with individual tickets and shared cruises. That is a very different experience from a fully private boat for your company.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with your drinks cruise in Amsterdam
We exclusively handle private bookings for businesses and groups. The boat is always entirely reserved for your group — we do not sell individual tickets and there are never other guests on board. Here is what we arrange for you:
- Personal advice on the right boat and the most suitable package
- Custom catering: from drinks and snacks to a walking dinner or fully served dinner
- Scalable for groups of 10 to more than 400 people across multiple boats
- Experienced skipper, host/hostess, and complete on-the-day support
- Flexible packages tailored to your program and budget
- Cruising through Amsterdam’s canals and beyond, toward Volendam, Zaanse Schans, or Muiden
Want to learn more about who we are and how we work? Read more on our about us page. Ready to request a quote for your drinks cruise? Contact us and we’ll be happy to think along with you.