A dinner cruise and a salon boat are two different products, even though both sail through the canals of Amsterdam. The main difference lies in the concept: a dinner cruise is a specific package that combines dining and sailing, while a salon boat is a vessel you can use for a wide variety of occasions, including a dinner. A salon boat can therefore be used as a dinner cruise, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the difference, so you know exactly which option suits your situation.
What do you get with a dinner cruise versus a salon boat?
A dinner cruise Amsterdam is a complete package: you step on board, the boat sets sail, and dinner is served simultaneously. The catering is the centerpiece. With a salon boat, you rent the vessel and decide for yourself what happens on board. Food is an option, but not a requirement. The distinction is essentially package versus venue.
With a dinner cruise, you know in advance what to expect. Think of a plated three-course dinner, a walking dinner where guests sample dishes while mingling, or a buffet where everyone helps themselves. The route through the canals complements the culinary experience, not the other way around.
A salon boat is a classic Amsterdam vessel with a covered, atmospheric salon. That space is ideal for dinners, but also for drinks receptions, meetings, parties, or simply a canal cruise. The boat sets the atmosphere; the program is up to you. With us, the boat is always exclusively reserved for your group, regardless of what you organize.
For which occasions should you choose a dinner cruise?
A dinner cruise in Amsterdam is the right choice when food takes center stage in your evening. The format works well for occasions where you want to treat your guests to a complete experience: traveling and dining at the same time, without anyone having to worry about logistics.
Typical occasions where a dinner cruise is a great fit:
- Business dinner or client dinner where the surroundings enhance the atmosphere
- Christmas drinks or year-end celebration where food and entertainment are combined
- Anniversary or birthday where you want to offer your guests something special
- Team outing where a shared dinner strengthens the connection between colleagues
The advantage of a dinner cruise is that everything is arranged in advance. You choose a package, provide the number of guests, and the rest is taken care of. That makes the format appealing for anyone who doesn’t have much time to put everything together themselves.
When is a salon boat the better choice?
A salon boat is the better choice when you want more flexibility in how you structure your boat trip. You rent the vessel and decide for yourself whether you want drinks, dinner, a meeting, or simply a relaxed cruise through the canals. The salon boat is the canvas; the program is yours to design.
Choose a salon boat when:
- You want to combine a specific program with sailing, such as a presentation, a quiz, or live music
- You want to put together custom catering that doesn’t fit within a standard dinner cruise package
- The group primarily wants drinks and snacks and food is secondary
- You want to use the boat as transportation between venues, with drinks along the way
- You want to create a unique atmosphere that a traditional event venue simply can’t offer
For corporate outings, the salon boat is popular because you can tailor the program entirely to your group. Want to host groups of up to 60 people on a single boat? That’s possible. For larger groups, we combine multiple boats so everyone can still experience the trip together.
What are the price differences between a dinner cruise and a salon boat?
The price of a dinner cruise in Amsterdam depends on the chosen package and the number of guests. Renting a salon boat is typically a combination of the boat fee and the catering you add. In practice, the total costs are comparable, but the breakdown differs.
As a rough guide, based on a group of approximately 50 people:
- Drinks cruise: approximately €50 to €60 per person, duration 1.5 to 2 hours
- Walking dinner on board: approximately €110 to €120 per person, duration 3 hours
- Three-course dinner: approximately €120 to €130 per person, duration 3 to 4 hours
- High tea cruise: approximately €75 to €80 per person, duration 2 hours
With a salon boat without a fixed catering package, you pay for the vessel itself and arrange the catering separately. This can work out cheaper if you want minimal catering, but also more expensive if you want everything fully customized. The exact price always depends on the group size, the duration of the trip, and your specific requirements.
Can a salon boat also be used as a dinner cruise?
Yes, a salon boat can be fully used as a dinner cruise. The vessel and the package are two separate things. You choose a salon boat and add a dinner program to it. The result is functionally identical to a dinner cruise, but with greater freedom in how it’s organized.
We offer several catering formats on board: from a walking dinner and a buffet to a fully plated set menu. The boat is always exclusively reserved for your group — no other guests on board. This makes it possible to tailor the dinner entirely to your group, including dietary requirements, timing, and presentation.
The difference from a standard dinner cruise is therefore primarily organizational. A dinner cruise is a ready-made package. A salon boat with dinner is a custom arrangement. For those who know what they want, the salon boat with a dinner program is often the most flexible choice. Also take a look at our private dining options if you want to organize a fully private dinner on the water.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with your dinner cruise or salon boat
Whether you choose a dinner cruise or a salon boat with your own program, we handle everything in one go. We exclusively offer private charters: the boat is always reserved solely for your group, and we never sell individual tickets. This gives you maximum freedom in planning and maximum privacy for your guests.
- Fully private: the boat is always exclusively for your group, no other guests on board
- Multiple catering formats: from drinks and a buffet to a walking dinner and a plated three-course meal
- Custom solutions for businesses and groups: we help you think through the program, timing, and catering
- Scalable: groups of up to 60 people on one boat, larger groups spread across multiple boats
- Electric sailing: quiet engines, zero emissions, and the best possible enjoyment of the canals
Want to find out which option best suits your occasion? Read more about who we are or get in touch directly for a no-obligation conversation. We’d love to help you find the perfect setup for your boat trip.