On a dinner cruise in Amsterdam, you can choose from several catering styles: a walking dinner, a buffet, or a plated multi-course dinner. The best option depends on the size of your group, the atmosphere you want to create, and your budget. For corporate groups, a walking dinner or three-course dinner is the most popular choice. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions about catering on the water along the Westerdok.
What catering options are available on a dinner cruise?
On a dinner cruise in Amsterdam, the most common catering styles are: a walking dinner, a buffet, a plated multi-course dinner, and a drinks reception with appetizers. Which option is available depends on the operator and the size of your group. For a dinner cruise in Amsterdam, we offer all of these options, fully tailored to your group.
Each catering style has its own atmosphere and logistics. A drinks cruise with bitterballen and beverages suits an informal farewell or a Friday afternoon get-together. A walking dinner gives guests the freedom to move around and network. A plated dinner is better suited to a formal corporate event or an anniversary celebration. One important thing to know: with us, the boat is always exclusively reserved for your group, so the catering can be perfectly matched to your wishes without having to accommodate other guests on board.
- Drinks cruise with appetizers – informal, 1.5 to 2 hours
- Walking dinner – standing, multiple courses, networking-focused
- Buffet on board – flexible, suitable for larger groups
- Plated multi-course dinner – formal, seated, 3 to 4 hours
- High tea cruise – afternoon arrangement with sweet and savory bites
- Barbecue on board – informal and festive, summer season
What is the difference between a buffet and a walking dinner on the water?
The biggest difference is the structure and the atmosphere. With a buffet, the dishes are laid out and guests serve themselves. With a walking dinner, several small courses are passed around or served at different stations, while guests mingle and move freely throughout the space.
On a boat, this has practical implications. A buffet works well for larger groups and requires less table service. The downside is that you need more space for the food stations, and guests tend to line up at the same time, which can create congestion. A walking dinner is particularly popular on the water because it encourages interaction: guests naturally move through the vessel, switch conversation partners, and the atmosphere stays relaxed. This makes it an excellent choice for team-building events or corporate networking occasions.
A plated multi-course dinner is the most formal option. Guests are seated at the table and each course is served individually. This requires more service staff, but also creates the most polished impression — ideal for an executive dinner or an anniversary celebration.
What catering is best suited for a corporate outing on a boat?
For a corporate outing on a boat, a walking dinner or a three-course dinner is the best fit. A walking dinner encourages informal conversation and networking, while a three-course dinner provides more structure and is suitable for formal occasions such as a client evening or a strategic dinner.
The choice also depends on the purpose of the outing. Do you want colleagues to get to know each other better in a relaxed setting? Then opt for a walking dinner or a drinks cruise. Is the goal to entertain clients or celebrate a milestone? In that case, a plated multi-course dinner is the better choice.
For a corporate outing on the water, it is also worth knowing that we can accommodate groups of up to 60 people on a single boat. For larger groups, we combine multiple vessels, so that a department of 150 or 200 people can be fully catered for. Everything is arranged on an all-inclusive basis, from catering and drinks to skipper and host staff.
How is catering arranged on a canal cruise boat in Amsterdam?
In most cases, catering on a canal cruise boat is fully taken care of by the operator or a dedicated caterer. You discuss the menu options, dietary requirements, and number of guests in advance, and everything is ready on board by the time you depart.
With us, this is handled through a single point of contact. You share your preferences, and we take care of the menu, drinks, service, and logistics. During the cruise, the crew ensures everything runs smoothly so you can focus entirely on your guests. Dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free are included as standard in our preparations.
Another advantage: because the boat is exclusively reserved for your group, we can time the service to fit your program. Would you like a tour along the Westerdok first and then sit down for dinner? No problem at all. The catering follows your schedule, not the other way around.
What drinks and drink packages are common on a dinner cruise?
On a dinner cruise in Amsterdam, the most common drink packages are: a house wine arrangement with dinner, an all-inclusive package with beer, wine, and soft drinks, or an open bar for the full duration of the cruise. Non-alcoholic alternatives are included as standard in every package.
Most corporate groups opt for an all-inclusive drinks package, which includes beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. This provides clarity on costs upfront and means no one has to keep track of their tab at the bar. For formal dinners, a wine pairing per course is sometimes chosen, with each dish complemented by a carefully selected wine.
Looking for something special? Think of a welcome drink upon boarding, a champagne toast for an anniversary, or a cocktail round as an opener. These kinds of details make a private dining experience on the water more personal and truly memorable.
What does catering cost on a dinner cruise along the Westerdok?
The cost of catering on a dinner cruise in Amsterdam generally ranges from €50 to €130 per person, depending on the type of arrangement. A drinks cruise with appetizers averages €50 to €60 per person. A walking dinner is around €110 to €120 per person. A plated three-course dinner averages €120 to €130 per person.
These prices are based on a group of approximately 50 people and include catering, drinks, skipper, and crew. For smaller groups, the cost per person may be slightly higher. For larger groups, there is often more room for customization in both pricing and composition.
Something else worth considering: when you hire a private boat, you have exclusive use of the entire vessel for your group. There are no other guests on board and no shared spaces. This is an entirely different category from a shared canal cruise with individual tickets, where you pay a lower rate but have far less control over the program and the atmosphere.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with catering on a dinner cruise
We organize complete dinner cruises along the Westerdok and through the Amsterdam canals, fully private and tailored to your group. Whether you want an informal drinks reception or a formal multi-course dinner, we handle everything from start to finish.
- Multiple catering styles – from walking dinner and buffet to plated multi-course dinner
- All-inclusive packages – catering, drinks, skipper, host staff, and crew included
- Fully private – the boat is always exclusively reserved for your group, no other guests
- Scalable – groups from 10 to 1,000+ people, with multiple boats if needed
- Fully customized – dietary requirements, timing, and program entirely tailored to your wishes
- Single point of contact – we take care of everything so you can enjoy the evening
Curious about who we are and what we have arranged for other groups? Find out more about us and our approach. Or get in touch directly to discuss your wishes: request a no-obligation quote and we will be happy to help you put together the perfect arrangement along the Westerdok.