Amsterdam: Smoke Friendly Canal Cruise & Drinks Option

Summary

Drift through Amsterdam’s canals with music laughter and smoky air

You’ll float through Amsterdam’s iconic canals on a smoke friendly cruise with drinks available, guided by someone who actually knows the city’s quirks. Expect laughter, local stories about places like NEMO and the Maritime Museum, plus time to just relax as old bridges and narrow houses slip by. It’s an hour you’ll remember for how it felt more than what you saw.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely stepped onto the boat at Stationsplein when our guide grinned and asked if anyone needed a light. I didn’t expect that — but it set the tone straight away. The canal water was almost glassy, catching bits of sunlight in between old bridges. Someone behind me started humming along to a song I didn’t recognize. There was this faint scent of something herbal in the air (obviously), mixed with coffee from someone’s takeaway cup. The city felt close but also kind of far away, like we were floating through a quieter version of Amsterdam.

Passing the NEMO Science Museum — that big green ship-looking thing — our guide, Bram, told us how locals call it “the whale.” He pointed out the National Maritime Museum too, its replica ship looking almost too perfect to be real. I tried to snap a photo but my phone camera fogged up for some reason (maybe the weather, maybe not). People waved from other boats; one guy shouted something in Dutch and Bram just laughed, said it probably wasn’t important. It felt easy to just sit back and watch all these lives moving around us while we drifted by.

The drinks option was popular — cold beer bottles clinking together as we passed through the 17th-century canal belt where Bram said “the world’s money used to live.” I still think about that view: narrow houses leaning at odd angles, bikes everywhere, sunlight flickering off windows. There was no rush at all; even when we looped past De Bijenkorf and back toward the train station, nobody seemed ready for it to end yet. If you’re looking for a smoke friendly cruise in Amsterdam with actual locals on board (and not just tourists snapping photos), this is pretty much it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Amsterdam canal cruise highlights

• Depart from Stationsplein 18
• Cruise along Amsterdam East side canals
• Pass Nemo Science Museum building
• View National Maritime Museum and replica
• See 17th century canal belt
• Pass Amsterdam main Train Station

Top questions

Is this Amsterdam canal cruise smoke friendly?

Yes, this is an 18+ smoke friendly cruise experience in Amsterdam.

Are drinks included on the Amsterdam smoke cruise?

There is an option to have drinks on board during your canal cruise.

Does the boat have heating in winter?

Yes, in winter the boat is enclosed and comfortably heated.

Where does the Amsterdam smoke cruise depart from?

The tour departs daily from Stationsplein 18 in central Amsterdam.

How long does the canal cruise last?

The smoke friendly canal cruise lasts about 60 minutes.

What landmarks do you see on this Amsterdam cruise?

You’ll pass NEMO Science Museum, National Maritime Museum, De Bijenkorf, and historic canal districts.

Is there a local guide on board?

Yes, a local guide leads each smoke friendly canal cruise in Amsterdam.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup; you meet at Stationsplein 18 near public transport options.

What’s included

Your hour-long journey includes an open boat in summer or a closed heated boat in winter, all led by a local guide who shares stories along the route. Drinks are available as an option during your relaxed drift past NEMO Science Museum, National Maritime Museum, De Bijenkorf and through Amsterdam’s historic canals before returning near Central Station.