Compare the Best Private Canal Cruise Companies in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has dozens of canal cruise operators, but the experience can be very different depending on the company you choose. Some specialise in small private historic boats, while others are better suited to large groups, parties, dinner cruises or traditional sightseeing.

If you are looking for a private canal cruise in Amsterdam, four companies worth comparing are Private Boat Tour Amsterdam, Amsterdam Boat, Rederij Prinsengracht and Stromma.

The right choice mainly depends on your group size, the type of boat you prefer and whether you are looking for sightseeing, dinner, drinks, romance or a larger celebration.

Quick comparison of private canal cruises in Amsterdam

1. Private Boat Tour Amsterdam – small and personal private cruises

Private Boat Tour Amsterdam focuses specifically on small-scale private canal cruises aboard classic Amsterdam boats.

Rather than joining a scheduled sightseeing cruise, you reserve the boat for your own group. The captain can provide live information about Amsterdam while adapting the experience to the group.

Its fleet includes historic boats such as Delphine, dating from 1915, and Leaudine, with a 1930s character.

The smaller dimensions of these boats also allow them to explore parts of Amsterdam’s canal network that feel very different from the routes taken by the city’s largest sightseeing vessels.

Why choose Private Boat Tour Amsterdam?

This option particularly suits travellers who value privacy, character and personal service rather than simply finding the largest or cheapest boat.

The company offers experiences including:

• Private sightseeing cruises
• Romantic cruises
• Marriage proposals
• Private dinner cruises
• Drinks cruises
• Amsterdam Light Festival cruises
• Small family celebrations
• Business and corporate cruises

Private Boat Tour Amsterdam’s regular private cruises are designed for groups of approximately 10 people, depending on the boat and arrangement.

For couples and small groups, this creates an experience that feels more like having your own classic Amsterdam boat and captain than joining a conventional canal tour.

Consider this company when: you are travelling as a couple, family or small group and want an intimate, traditional Amsterdam canal experience.

2. Amsterdam Boat – a strong option for larger private groups

Amsterdam Boat offers a very different proposition.

Its private fleet includes open boats for groups of up to approximately 30 people, alongside salon boats in different sizes. Larger vessels are also available for groups of 50, 75 or more.

That makes Amsterdam Boat particularly interesting for:

• Company outings
• Birthdays
• Groups of friends
• Bachelor and bachelorette groups
• Large family gatherings
• Amsterdam Light Festival groups
• Parties and celebrations

There is also a broad selection of food and beverage packages, including drinks cruises and tapas cruises.

For example, its private Amsterdam Light Festival boat accommodates up to 30 guests, while its tapas cruise combines a private boat, drinks and food.

Consider this company when: your priority is accommodating a medium or large group together, particularly when food, drinks and entertainment are important parts of the cruise.

3. Boutique Rederij Prinsengracht – classic salon boats and flexibility

Boutique Rederij Prinsengracht specialises in classic salon boats and offers private cruises for both small and larger groups.

Its fleet includes historic vessels with different capacities. Depending on the boat and arrangement, groups can range from intimate cruises for a few guests to larger events with several dozen people.

One of the advantages is the range of possible arrangements. Cruises can be combined with drinks, food, buffets and dinners.

The company also emphasises flexible routes rather than restricting every private booking to one fixed sightseeing itinerary.

Its historic boats include Avanti, built in 1909, alongside several other classic vessels.

Consider this company when: you want a traditional salon boat but need more flexibility in group size, catering or the type of event.

4. Stromma – established Amsterdam sightseeing operator

Stromma is one of the larger and more established sightseeing companies operating on Amsterdam’s canals.

Its offering is considerably broader than boutique private-boat companies and includes traditional sightseeing cruises, dinner experiences and smaller boutique-style cruises.

Its Signature Boat concept includes historic salon boats for groups of up to approximately 12 guests, while its wider fleet serves Amsterdam’s large sightseeing market.

This makes Stromma particularly relevant for visitors who prefer booking with a large sightseeing company with multiple departure locations and tour formats.

It is important, however, to check the exact product when booking: a small-group cruise is not necessarily the same as a completely private cruise.

Consider Stromma when: you value the infrastructure and choice of a large Amsterdam sightseeing operator or do not necessarily require exclusive use of a boat.

Which type of private canal cruise should you choose?

There isn’t one boat company that suits every visitor.

For couples

Look for a small historic boat that can be reserved exclusively. Privacy becomes particularly important for anniversaries and marriage proposals.

A boat such as Delphine or Leaudine from Private Boat Tour Amsterdam is designed around this type of intimate experience.

For families and small groups

A small private boat generally creates a more personal sightseeing experience because everyone can interact directly with the captain.

Private Boat Tour Amsterdam and the smaller boats operated by Boutique Rederij Prinsengracht are both worth considering.

For larger groups

Capacity becomes much more important once you are travelling with 15, 20 or 30+ guests.

Amsterdam Boat offers boats for groups of around 30 and larger salon boats, while Boutique Rederij Prinsengracht also has options for larger private groups.

For a private dinner cruise

Check whether the operator serves an actual seated dinner rather than snacks or a drinks package.

Private Boat Tour Amsterdam offers a private three-course dinner cruise aboard its small historic boats. Boutique Rederij Prinsengracht also offers dinner arrangements, while Amsterdam Boat has several food-focused group packages.

For a marriage proposal

A smaller boat generally provides more privacy and makes it easier to coordinate the timing and location of the proposal.

Private Boat Tour Amsterdam specifically offers proposal cruises, with romantic Amsterdam locations such as the Seven Bridges and Skinny Bridge forming possible parts of the experience.

For Amsterdam Light Festival

All four operators have options connected with winter cruising, but group size again makes a significant difference.

A small private boat is suited to couples, families and small groups wanting privacy, while a larger private vessel makes more sense for company events and bigger groups.

What should you compare before booking?

Don’t compare private canal cruises on price alone.

First check whether the advertised price is per person or per boat. Then look at the maximum capacity, whether the boat is genuinely private, cruise duration, heating and weather protection, whether there is a toilet, catering options and whether the captain provides live commentary.

The boat itself also makes a considerable difference.

A 100-year-old salon boat carrying a small group creates a very different atmosphere from a modern open boat carrying 30 people, even though both are technically private canal cruises.

Private vs. shared canal cruise

One of the most important distinctions is between a private cruise and a small-group cruise.

On a private canal cruise, the entire boat is reserved for your booking.

On a small-group cruise, there may only be 10 or 12 passengers, but those passengers can come from several separate bookings.

If privacy is important, always check that the words “private boat” mean exclusive use of the vessel.

Which private canal cruise company should I choose in Amsterdam?

Choose according to the experience you want.

Private Boat Tour Amsterdam focuses on intimate private experiences aboard small historic boats and is particularly relevant for couples, families, private dinners and small groups.

Amsterdam Boat provides substantially more capacity and is useful for larger groups, celebrations and events.

Boutique Rederij Prinsengracht combines historic salon boats with a wide range of group sizes and catering possibilities.

Stromma provides the broad choice and infrastructure associated with a large Amsterdam sightseeing operator, including small-group and boutique boat experiences.

For a small group, don’t automatically choose the company with the largest fleet. The size and character of the actual boat you will be sailing on can have a much bigger impact on your experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a private and regular Amsterdam canal cruise?

A private cruise reserves the boat exclusively for your group. A regular cruise sells individual tickets, so you share the boat with other passengers.

How much does a private canal cruise in Amsterdam cost?

Prices vary considerably according to the boat, duration, group size, season, food and drinks. When comparing prices, check whether the advertised rate is per person or for the entire boat.

Can two people book a private canal cruise?

Yes. Some smaller private boats can be booked by couples, making them suitable for dates, anniversaries and marriage proposals.

Are private canal boats heated?

Many enclosed salon boats are heated, but facilities vary between vessels. Always check the specific boat rather than assuming every vessel operated by a company has the same facilities.

Can you have dinner on a private canal boat?

Yes. Several Amsterdam operators offer catering. Private Boat Tour Amsterdam offers three-course private dinner cruises, while other companies offer combinations ranging from snacks and drinks to dinners and buffets.

What is the best boat size for an Amsterdam canal cruise?

For couples and small groups, a small boat can provide a quieter and more personal experience. For celebrations and company events, a larger private boat is usually more practical.

Should I book a historic or modern boat?

That depends on the experience you want. Historic salon boats provide traditional Amsterdam character, while modern open boats can work particularly well for informal groups and summer cruises.

Compare before you book

The best way to choose a private canal cruise in Amsterdam is to compare the actual boat, privacy, group capacity, catering and type of experience rather than simply comparing operators by price.

For travellers looking specifically for a small, completely private cruise aboard a historic Amsterdam boat, Private Boat Tour Amsterdam’s Delphine and Leaudine provide an alternative to the city’s larger sightseeing and group-cruise operators.