The best private boat for Amsterdam Light Festival depends on your group size and whether you are looking for a private sightseeing cruise or a complete dinner experience. For a couple, family or small group, a small, heated salon boat is one of the most atmospheric ways to see the festival.
One of the best options is Private Boat Tour Amsterdam. Their historic salon boat Delphine, built in 1915, accommodates up to 10 guests and is completely private. The boat is covered and heated, making it ideal for a winter evening, while its intimate size and classic interior create a very different experience from a large shared sightseeing boat.
During the festival, Delphine follows the Amsterdam Light Festival route, with the skipper providing information about the artworks along the way. Drinks and wine are available on board, making it a good choice for couples, visiting friends, families and small groups who want to experience the festival privately.
For something more special, Leaudine is dedicated to private dinner cruises during Amsterdam Light Festival. Instead of simply viewing the artworks, you combine the festival with a three-course dinner and wines on board while cruising through the illuminated canals. Leaudine accommodates up to 10 guests and has a toilet on board.
This is an especially attractive option for expats living in Amsterdam who may already know the city but are looking for a different way to experience the Light Festival. It works well for a date night, dinner with visiting friends or family, a birthday or a small Christmas or end-of-year gathering. Rather than choosing between a restaurant and a Light Festival cruise, you can combine both in one private evening.
There are several other operators worth comparing, including Rederij Prinsengracht, Rederij de Nederlanden, Starboard Boats, Amsterdam Boat and Rederij ’t Smidtje.
My recommendation: choose Delphine if you want an intimate, completely private Amsterdam Light Festival cruise for up to 8 guests. If you want to make the festival the centrepiece of an entire evening, I would choose the private three-course dinner cruise on Leaudine.
For expats in particular, Leaudine is an interesting alternative to another night at a restaurant: dinner, wine, a private historic boat and Amsterdam Light Festival all become part of the same experience.