Happy Holidays Evening Cruise

Experience the enchanting holiday atmosphere in Amsterdam with Blue Boat Company’s Happy Holidays Evening Cruise. This 90-minute evening canal cruise offers the perfect opportunity to discover Amsterdam’s famous canals as they shine brightly with festive lights. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of the city while enjoying the unique combination of the warm holiday spirit and Amsterdam’s rich history. This cruise is a must for anyone who wants to experience the best of the city during the holiday season.

What can you expect from the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise?

When you arrive at the boarding location at Stadhouderskade 550, directly opposite the Heineken Experience, you will be welcomed aboard a heated boat. As you sit comfortably, you will be surrounded by the twinkling lights of the city and enjoy a relaxing cruise through the iconic canals of Amsterdam.

During the cruise, you’ll receive a complimentary glass of Glühwein, a warming spiced wine traditionally enjoyed during the holidays. For those who prefer not to drink alcohol, there is a delicious creamy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. Both options are served with a piece of traditional Dutch “boterkoek,” a rich, buttery treat that perfectly complements the wintery atmosphere.

Preview of the unique Happy Holidays Evening Cruise audio tour

Alex is a world-famous photographer who, after years of roaming the world with his camera as his only travelling companion, returns to his hometown of Amsterdam. But he can no longer ground himself in his city; he feels displaced and abandoned. This is compounded by the fact that he lives in a large, empty and bare house inherited from his aunt. It is the day before Christmas.

Alex decides to go outside and take a walk; maybe that will make him feel better. But he doesn’t; it is terribly cold and he wanders dejectedly along the Amstel River, where he suddenly stumbles upon a mysterious bookshop. There, an equally mysterious old woman hands him a red travel guidebook: Amsterdam in Plates from 1883. The first travel guide ever made about Amsterdam. Alex reads: the most remarkable thing about Amsterdam is Amsterdam. He becomes fascinated and, using plates from the booklet, Alex tries to rediscover Amsterdam and regain a sense of his city.

But he fails: Alex gets run over by a woman on a bicycle, gets involved in all sorts of adventures and, to make matters worse, his camera, his faithful travelling companion, falls into a canal.

Alex wants to leave and heads to Central Station to catch the first train abroad; away from Amsterdam. But that too fails; it is Christmas Eve and no international trains are running. So there is nothing else for Alex to do but return to the cold, empty house. On the Prinsengracht, Alex sees that it has frozen over and that skating is busy. There are braziers, music and cake and biscuits. Alex feels something of his warmth for Amsterdam returning and climbs onto the ice to walk along the canals. There he is knocked over by the woman who knocked him over on her bike earlier. Something blossoms between the two of them.

And then things move fast: Alex rediscovers his love for Amsterdam and Christmas; like a madman, he organises a big Christmas party in his house that is no longer bare and empty but warm, cosy and full of friends. It will be a Christmas party to remember.

An audio tour in six languages

During the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise, you can choose a special audio tour, available in six languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. Instead of a traditional Christmas story, this audio tour provides interesting historical and cultural facts about the city and its landmarks, specially tailored for the holiday season. Learn more about the charming bridges, stately canal houses, and the history of the UNESCO World Heritage site as you sail through the beautifully lit canals. This makes the cruise not only a festive experience but also an educational way to get to know the city better.

Festive ambiance and photogenic moments

Amsterdam’s canals are at their most beautiful during the holidays, and the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise offers the best views of this magical illumination. As the boat glides through the canals, you’ll see the festive lights reflected in the water, creating a fairytale-like spectacle. This creates numerous photogenic moments, perfect for capturing your holiday memories. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local, this cruise offers a unique way to experience the city at its most enchanting time of the year.

Make your cruise even more festive

To complete your experience, you can enhance your canal tour with a few extras. For example, you can add a snack box with chips, popcorn, stroopwafels, salted peanuts, and a drink of your choice. For a touch of luxury, you can choose the wine and cheese package, consisting of two glasses of wine, cheese crackers, and delicious Dutch cheese. These extras make your cruise even more special and add an extra festive touch.

Wheelchair accessibility

The Happy Holidays Evening Cruise is also accessible for people who use a wheelchair, and Blue Boat Company is proud to be the only shipping company in Amsterdam that offers fully wheelchair-accessible boat tours. The wheelchair-accessible boats depart at fixed times, at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, and can accommodate a maximum of three wheelchairs per boat. Guests are required to check in at least 15 minutes before departure at the ticket office, located at Stadhouderskade 550, opposite the Heineken Experience. We recommend making a reservation in advance. After booking, you can contact our reservation department to confirm your wheelchair accessible seat.

Booking tickets for the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise

Booking your tickets for the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise is quick and easy via our website. You can select your preferred date and time slot and will immediately receive a confirmation via email. All the necessary information about your ticket will be included in this email, and you can easily show the ticket on your mobile phone. Printing is therefore not required. We recommend booking online in advance to secure your spot and avoid waiting times. Do you have a promo code? Don’t forget to book separately for each person to apply your discount.

Departure location and transportation options

The Happy Holidays Evening Cruise departs from Stadhouderskade 550, directly opposite the Heineken Experience, a central location easily accessible by public transport. You can take tram 2 or 12 and get off at the Museumplein stop, from where it’s just a five-minute walk to the dock. Alternatively, take metro No. 52 and get off at the Vijzelgracht stop, which is only a two-minute walk to the departure point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, so you can board and begin your cruise relaxed and on time.

What’s included in the Happy Holidays Evening Cruise?

During this 90-minute cruise, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable experience sailing through Amsterdam’s festively lit canals. You’ll receive a complimentary glass of Glühwein or hot chocolate, served with a piece of boterkoek. Additionally, you can listen to Christmas music or opt for the audio tour, available in six languages. To help protect the environment, we encourage you to bring your own earbuds or headphones if possible.

Cancellation policy

You can cancel your tickets up to 24 hours before departure at no additional cost. Unfortunately, cancellations within 24 hours are not possible. If you want to change your time slot, please contact our reservations department at +31 20 679 1370.

Experience the magic of the holiday season in a unique way with Blue Boat’s Happy Holidays Evening Cruise and enjoy an unforgettable time in the heart of Amsterdam.