Last night we booked a "peaceful, romantic, CO-neutral evening canal cruise" in Amsterdam. What we…read moregot instead was part sightseeing tour, part improv comedy, and part low-speed nautical thriller. Honestly, I am still laughing. Our captain, Stefanie, opened the evening with what I can only describe as a legally binding statement "I will tell you everything about Amsterdam... and I will not lie." Bold. Confident. Inspirational. I trusted her immediately. To be clear, Stefanie was fantastic. Funny, personable, and working hard the entire time to keep things upbeat. The canals at night are stunning. The setting is absolutely top-tier. Now let's talk about the experience. The boat was described as "intimate," and credit where it's due, it actually was. Plenty of room, very comfortable. But the crowd was so international it felt like the United Nations had decided to take a field trip. I am pretty sure we solved at least two global issues before we left the dock. Then the journey began. Reverse gear? Optional. Possibly theoretical. The Red Light District? Hyped like the grand finale. "You have to see it at night." Did we see it? No. The canal was closed. Somewhere, dessert was served without us. At one point, we entered what I can only describe as a delicate negotiation with either another boat or a bridge. It was not a crash. It was more like two vehicles gently disagreeing about personal space. And through all of this, Stefanie remained calm, smiling, and narrating like everything was exactly as planned. Which brings me to my favorite moment of the night. During the chaos, she says "Please, take anything you want, I am so sorry!" Now remember, this is the same woman who PROMISED not to lie. So naturally, when we returned to the dock, I grabbed a bottle of wine. Not greedily. Respectfully. Like a man honoring a verbal contract. Immediately, a deckhand appears out of nowhere "You can't take that." I respond, calmly and with conviction "Stefanie said we could." Stefanie, without even blinking "I meant candies." Candies. At that exact moment, I realized I had just witnessed a masterclass in precision language. She did not lie. Not technically. She simply... left room for interpretation. Did she promise too much at the beginning of the tour? Possibly. Did I misunderstand the scope of "anything"? Also possible. Was I emotionally prepared to trade wine for candy? Absolutely not. All jokes aside, it was a hilarious, memorable, and genuinely fun evening. Not the flawless, whisper-quiet romantic cruise you might expect, but something far better. A boat full of great people, a captain who handled mild chaos like a pro, and a story that gets funnier every time I tell it. Would I do it again? Yes. Would I ask for a written list of what "anything you want" includes? Also yes.

This was absolutely the highlight of our trip! This was a wonderful 90 minute trip around the…read morecanals. There was plenty of room as well as plenty of snacks and drinks to go around. I ended up in a wheelchair and they were able to fold it up and put it on the ship (I did have to be able to get down some stairs and in and out of the boat). We went at 7pm when the sun was absolutely gorgeous. Loved this.

I had the opportunity to experience both the canal tour and the stroopwafel-making workshop, and I…read morethoroughly enjoyed them both! I had also booked the food tour, but unfortunately, it was canceled. I wish I had been notified in advance rather than finding out upon arrival, but they apologized, explained the situation, and assured me that I would receive a refund, which I believe I did. Stroopwafel-Making Workshop I absolutely loved this workshop, it was so much fun! Sofia was a wonderful instructor who made the entire experience feel welcoming, relaxed, and enjoyable. I first noticed the workshop the day before because the store window was so beautiful. I wondered what it was all about, and by complete coincidence, Sofia was the person who pointed me in the right direction and showed me how to book it. I'm so glad she did because I ended up having such a fantastic time! The best part was getting to make my own stroopwafel and decorate it however I wanted, with as many toppings and decorations as I liked. It was such a fun and unique experience, and I'm so happy I decided to give it a try. Canal Tour Daniel and Summer were incredibly welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. Daniel, in particular, went above and beyond by happily answering our questions and even getting us drinks whenever we needed them. Their hospitality added so much to the experience. The boat itself was beautiful, and the canal tour was a relaxing and memorable way to experience Amsterdam. Seeing the city from the water offered a completely different perspective and made the tour feel especially memorable. I also thought it was really smart to decorate the boat with flowers. They created such a unique and beautiful backdrop for photos, and if you prefer not to have them in your pictures, they're very easy to avoid. My only small suggestion would be to be mindful of where you sit. I somehow ended up getting quite wet all down the back of my legs! I think I was simply unlucky, since no one else seemed to have the same issue, but it's something worth keeping in mind. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and Daniel and Summer made it even more enjoyable! Both experiences were highlights of my time in Amsterdam, and I would happily recommend them to anyone looking for a fun and memorable way to experience the city and its culture. Side note, they are both located right near the Anne Frank Haus!

Booking a last‑minute tour online turned out to be more confusing than expected. Flagship lists a…read morewhole menu of overlapping options -- beer, wine, beer‑and‑wine, full bar, cheese or no cheese -- all at different prices, all departing at the exact same time from the exact same dock. We had the tour that started near the Rijksmuseum, which made getting there straightforward despite the confusing booking process. We chose the basic tour; the couple ahead of us booked the Heineken version, which supposedly included multiple complimentary beers. Yet once onboard, everyone was offered the same single complimentary drink, and anything beyond that was charged. It's hard not to wonder why the pricing tiers exist when the onboard experience doesn't seem to match them. Our captain, Max from Amsterdam, was friendly and clearly knew his way around the canals, but he was repeatedly overruled by the guide, Roger, who insisted on turning the boat around whenever Max tried to take us toward certain areas. Roger's guiding style leaned more toward casual chatter and personal anecdotes than actual commentary on the city. Over the course of an hour, only a small handful of buildings or landmarks were mentioned, leaving long stretches of the ride feeling more like background conversation than a guided tour. At the end, Roger joked about the tip jar being a "traditional Dutch tip jar" -- the kind where you leave what you think the tour was worth, and if you weren't satisfied, you take out what you think you're owed. It was meant as humor, but it landed a little too accurately; we laughed with the group next to us that there wasn't nearly enough in the jar for all of us to reclaim what we felt we were owed due to what the tour lacked. All in all, it was a pleasant boat ride and a nice way to see Amsterdam from the water. But if you're expecting a genuinely informative, structured canal tour, this isn't the company -- or at least not the guide -- to rely on.

Everyone wants to do a Canal tour and they're are so many options. We were just waking but and the…read moreguy on the aside of the Canal stood us to chat and talked us into it. Very friendly, but it was just timing. So I have no other info to base off of or compare . We were 2 adults and 2 kids and had a great time. They kept drinks going and the info coming. It was relaxing and informative and beautiful

With so many canal tours to choose from, it was hard to decide prior to our trip in March 2019…read more However, I am very glad we selected Friendship Rederij for our tour! We had an enjoyable hour in a comfortable and low-key atmosphere, and were provided so much information about Amsterdam and the canals! I would highly recommend Friendship Rederij over a larger, more commercial boat, as this was a great experience. Our guides were very knowledgeable and easy to listen to, and the smaller boat was relaxing and comfortable. Drinks are available for purchase while on board, and they do take cards and Euros which was very nice. We were in a group of probably 20ish people. The tour was in English, which was much appreciated. The tour was extensive, and we felt like as the boat was smaller than some of the bigger, commercialized ones, we were able to view more of the canals. It was also nice that the boat is uncovered, so no matter where you were sitting, you were able to get great pictures! Do yourself a favor and choose Friendship Rederij for your canal boat tour while visiting Amsterdam. This is a well-priced, less touristy, and wonderful option.

Best Amsterdam Canal Cruise! Our family of 3 enjoyed the must comfortable and scenic 9am morning…read morecruise. Just the right amount of time on the water, we were fully engaged the whole time. There was a small toilet on our boat but went unused as the tour goes quickly. Waters, wine, and beers were offered and a few of our friends enjoyed beverages. The quality and professionalism was outstanding, with a very knowledgeable English speaking captain (Pauline was great!). After seeing the other boats jam packed with tourists, we knew we made the right choice. Pure Boats is the way to go. Book it!

My boyfriend and I loved our experience at Pure Boats, especially after enduring a French boat…read morecruise that prioritized quantity over quality. Such an intimate boat with an open bar, charcuterie board, and friendly tour guide. I made four or five mimosas before I calmed down. We asked questions about living in the Netherlands that are rather unconventional, and he still managed to answer all of them. He managed to balance guiding the boat and conversing with all guests very well. He also stopped for all the guests to take photos at particularly scenic points in our tour. Definitely worth it to take your tour in the evening while the sun is setting and the weather isn't too hot! Most people who came were celebrating engagements or honeymoons. If that doesn't speak to the testament of the quality of this place, I don't know what does! Trusting a spot with one of the few important moments in your life where you don't splurge is impressive. We definitely passed by our fair share of other boat cruises, and this one has the most lovely interior. The high rating on Yelp is well deserved. What a memorable moment of our Amsterdam trip.

Why 5 stars? Because this was an amazing way to see Amsterdam…read more --- --- --- In planning our one day to Amsterdam, I assumed we would be doing a canal cruise, but hadn't put much more thought into it than that. When we arrived at our hotel, the concierge asked if we wanted to sign up for a cruise that would pick us up right in front of the door at 3pm that afternoon. That was about as convenient as possible for us, so we signed up for it without knowing much more than that. I was a little hesitant about spending 70 euros on it, but it ended up being worth it. There were only 12 of us on board, plus the captain, who was American, but with Dutch roots. He was the perfect host: informative and entertaining, but also low key. He offered us drinks throughout the 90 minute tour, as well. I liked that the boat we were on did have some cover, but it was also open in parts too. I sat in the very back, which allowed me to get a little warmth from the covered area, but I was still able to get some unobstructed photos. If you are looking for a canal cruise in Amsterdam, I can't think of a single negative about our experience with this one!

I can't imagine how our excursion with Leemstar could have been better. We had a group of 8 take…read morethe canal cruise. Our captain, Floris, was outstanding. He was warm, welcoming and very knowledgeable. He made us feel at home immediately. The boat was very special: all wood, comfortable seating benches and closed in with windows and open areas for easy photo taking. Floris was knowledgeable and asked if we wished commentary, which we wanted. The commentary included maps to help orient us to the trip. We booked a 'cruise' for 5:30 pm but our taxi did not show up at the hotel. I called Leemstar and shortly received a phone call from Floris checking on our progress. Fortunately we obtained alternate taxis and made it on time, but having Floris check with us relieved anxiety. We had ordered two cheese boards and drinks. There was beer, Prosecco, wine and soft drinks. It was all delicious and added a special touch to our cruising. The canals and river area we travelled were gorgeous. Floris' commentary was fascinating and humorous. He is a very articulate. Again, after a Viking Cruise and excursions totaling 19 days, everyone in our group thought this canal cruise was one the the top highlights of our entire trip. You won't go wrong booking a cruise with Leemstar.

Wonderful Experience!! Highly recommended. We did this tour as a last minute booking one evening…read moreand after searching other companies, I found this one and the great reviews. Well worth it!! Both the Guide and Captain were excellent. Both Knowledgeable and entertaining. Our tour included free Heineken, wine, hot cocoa, soda, and water. Blankets also provided for cold nights. The start location was excellent to see both the narrow canals and the main waterway. Many historic sights and lots of information provided. We booked right at sunset and were fortunate to see the sunset AND the bridge lights. Wonderful! We will definitely use BoatAmsterdam.com again!

Nice open boat, good stories, very personable guide. Good selection of beverages. Also appreciated…read morethe brevity of the tour (one hour). Plenty of time when trying to squeeze in so many activities.

Really enjoyed this tour with Flagship. Friendly and warm welcome from the Captain and the crew…read more The woman guide was particularly informative with personality and humour which adds to the enjoyment. The boat was charming and cozy and for a few I was day dreaming. I booked this for a solo day in Amsterdam as a treat to myself. Let's see what else I discover on my 24 hours in Amsterdam !

Wonderful overview of Amsterdam. Humorous warm and welcoming. Struck the perfect vibe of lots of…read moreinformation and reflecting the authentic culture of the city. The small boat was personal and sweet. Highly recommend!

Skip those large canal boat rides and go with a small boat and personalized tour with a native of…read moreAmsterdam. Our guide Jan was a first-rate skipper, guide, and a great on board host. Filled with knowledge and unusual things to see along the way, Jan was as personal and friendly as you could ever hope for in a tour guide / skipper. This was truly one of the highlights of our time in Amsterdam. The boat was small, and comfortable for the 4 of us, we drank beer and wine while nibbling on small bites, as we toured Amsterdam from the water. I lived in Amsterdam for quite some time and had walked most of the canals Jan took us through, but I learned plenty on this boat tour. Jan is a native of Amsterdam, and skippers' tours every day. I would not hesitate to recommend Amsterdam Boat Center if you're looking for a unique way to see Amsterdam.

My family and I very much enjoyed our Amsterdam Boat Center canal tour earlier in August. There…read moreare many canal tour companies in the area to pick from and while this one is on the pricier side, it was a very nice experience and lasted 90 minutes. The boat itself is very authentic and was very comfortable to sit in. We cruised through numerous canals around the city while the captain (who also acted as our guide) talked about the canals, history of Amsterdam, and the buildings flanking the canals. The only drawback was the lack of microphone because the captain/guide was difficult to hear at times if you were sitting in the back and other passengers were talking.

I couldn't be in Amsterdam without taking a canal cruise..... Luckily, I was able to hop onto this…read moreone. For EUR14.50 for a hour cruise, I really couldn't go wrong. The boat had several tables to sit at. The tour was a pre-recorded English speaking narration. However, the captain of the boat would interject at times. Go and relax! Enjoy a cruise!

Imagine a budget airline with no frills but gets you from Point A to Point B. Well, Rederji Boat…read moreTours does just that for your Amsterdam canal experience, and that's the way I like it. Seriously can't get better than a €10.50 boat ride that allows you to experience one of the greatest cities in Europe. My friend and I agreed that we just wanted to experience going through the canals on a nice day while still learning a bit about the history of Amsterdam. Rederji popped up in my search mostly for how affordable the experience was! Their departure dock is easy to find and boats set sail roughly every half hour or until it gets filled. The tour lasts for about 90 minutes and you truly get to see what makes Amsterdam so beautiful. The tour is automated with an announcer cycling through 3-4 different languages, with English being the third making it easy to catch the site while hearing what it's about. I'll admit that some parts seemed to stretch a bit (e.g. this random person's mansion squished between two equally as amusing buildings), but we didn't mind. There's no formalities and no bag checks, so you can feel free to bring snacks and drinks on board with you as you set sail around the canals. We enjoyed our time on this boat and would recommend it for anyone on a budget and want an enjoyable experience.

So there we were, in Amsterdam chatting with other folks from the hotel. They spoke about food tour…read moreand we've done them before as well so we decide to delve in. After a bunch of research we decide on hungry birds, and it was a good decision. Our guide for the tour was Anne, as you proved to be a little ball of positive energy that was totally appreciated. She handled controversial issues well, and introduced us to many of the tastes of the market. We tasted everything from fresh Herring to smoke deal to sought after, cookies and we seem to have a back door, no line access to everything. If you'd like to stop reading now is a good point but know that we are big fans of Angry Birds We met at the designated location, introduced ourselves to the other people on the tour and then Anne showed up. She arrived bearing cookies, and my wife and I had actively sought out these cookies just the day before as we had seen them on Instagram. We waited for 15 minutes in line to buy our Van Stapele cookies and here she was showing up with a fresh batch to share with us to get the party started. It was a great start. We then moved onto multiple quality tastes. My wife, ever the brave soul, volunteered to taste the whole fresh Herring that was offered to her, served in the traditional fashion of the seasonal run of the fresh Herring. So it arrived on a plate with onions and pickles, and Leah was taught how to hold the Herring by picking it up from its tail, adding the onions and the pickles and then taking a bite. Mind you the fish had been deboned and cleaned, but it looked every bit of a fish without the head. I volunteered to try a couple of bites as well and enjoyed it. This was at the Volendammer Vishandel, and there was no doubt about the fish being fresh as the place was very busy I don't want to go on and on and ruin your trip to the food tour and so I'll stop here but the combination of the energetic tour guide and the unique stories told made it a very quick four hour tour that I would encourage my friends to take.

I can't say enough good things about this tour. From the start Esther made a point to connect to…read moreeach person and check in throughout the tour to see how we were doing. It was a family adventure with our kids and my mom, 80yo, and everyone had a great time. The food was amazing but made better as we learned about the history and influences in the neighborhood and country.