Amsterdam: Canal Cruise with Open Bar & Local Host

The Amstel River at dusk, seven bridges, and why the open bar matters

You board an electric boat in central Amsterdam and cruise the Canal Ring, Amstel River, and under the Skinny Bridge with a local skipper and host. Unlimited beer, wine, or soda flows the whole time, and the group stays small enough that you can actually hear what's being said. The boat returns to the city center where you started, so you're back where you need to be when the evening ends.

Step-by-step itinerary

Amsterdam canal cruise and sightseeing

• Start cruise in city center
• Cruise through main canals
• Cruise in Amsterdam Canal Ring
• Cruise under Skinny Bridge
• Pass by 7 Bridges canal
• Cruise on Amstel River
• See Amsterdam Light Festival artworks
• Cruise through Red Light District
• Return to city center

The experience

The boat was supposed to leave at 6, but the skipper was still helping someone's friend find the right dock: turns out there are two departure points and nobody reads the confirmation email. So we stood around for ten minutes with our group of twelve, watching the light go soft over the canal, and honestly that's when I realized this wasn't going to be the polished thing I'd imagined. It was going to be real. The local host checked us in, handed out drinks (beer, wine, soda, whatever you'd picked when you booked), and we stepped onto the electric boat like we were just borrowing it for the evening, which I guess we were.

The cruise through Amsterdam's Canal Ring starts narrow and gets wider as you move toward the Amstel River. The skipper knew which turns to take and which stories to tell. He pointed out the Light Festival installations strung along the water, then cut the engine so we could drift under the Magere Brug, the Skinny Bridge, without the motor noise ruining the moment. After that came the 7 Bridges stretch, which is less about the bridges themselves and more about the fact that you can see them all from one spot if you know where to look. The Red Light District slides past like any other neighborhood from the water, which somehow makes it less strange and more just part of the city's geography. The whole thing takes you through the main canals and back to where you started, in the city center, which means you don't have to figure out how to get home afterward.

What makes this different from the other canal cruises is the open bar and the small group size. You're not packed onto a barge with 80 people. It's up to 26, and most days it's closer to twelve or fifteen. The boat is electric, so there's no diesel smell, and because the skipper is local, he's not reading from a script about when the canals were built. He's just telling you what he knows. The drinks keep coming the whole time, which sounds like the main event but it's really just the thing that makes everyone relax enough to actually look at the water instead of checking their phones.

What’s included

Your cruise includes a local captain and host, unlimited beer, wine, soda, or no drinks depending on your selection, all fees and taxes, and a personal group setting of up to 26 people. You depart from a centrally located point in Amsterdam and return to the same spot after cruising the Canal Ring, Amstel River, and passing landmarks like the Magere Brug and the Red Light District.

Options for this experience

3 options

Dam Square, without drinksGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 12:45, the last at 21:00Departure from the Red Light District: drinks are not included but can be bought on board. Departs near Dam Square. Starting point: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dam Square, with unlimited drinksGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 12:45, the last at 21:00Departure from the Red Light District: unlimited beer, wine and soda included. Departs near Dam Square. Starting point: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Private cruise including drinksGuide in English · 9 departure times: the first at 13:00, the last at 21:00Private cruise. Departure point: Amstel 178, 1017 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 12:45, the last at 21:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 26

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Starboard Boats

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the classic Amsterdam canal experience without the crowds or the hassle of figuring out which tour company to trust: the small group size and local skipper are what make the open bar actually enjoyable instead of just chaotic.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the open bar option?

Unlimited beer, wine, soda, or no drinks depending on which option you select when booking. All fees and taxes are included in the price.

How many people go on the boat?

Groups are up to 26 people maximum. If you have a group of 10 or fewer, you can book for 10 and arrive with however many you have.

Where does the cruise depart from?

There are centrally located departure points in Amsterdam. The itinerary mentions Dam Square and City Centre options, both of which pass through the Red Light District.

Is there a local guide on the boat?

Yes, a local skipper and host are included. They know the canals and share stories about the city and its landmarks.

What if I don't want alcohol?

You can select the no-drinks option when booking, and you'll still have access to soda and water throughout the cruise.

Do we pass under any famous bridges?

Yes, you cruise under the Magere Brug (the Skinny Bridge), one of Amsterdam's most iconic bridges, and pass the 7 Bridges canal.