Amsterdam Festival of Lights Cruise by Captain Dave

Badge of ExcellenceAmsterdam, Netherlands

From $43.88

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Enjoy unrivaled views of Amsterdam’s Festival of Lights—which takes place every year from November through January—on a canal cruise that reveals the bests of the installations. You’ll enjoy personalized attention in a small group limited to 12 travelers, as you float along Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed Canal Ring in the comfort of your heated boat.

Experience the best of Amsterdam's Festival of Light on a boat cruise
See the city from a different perspective as you explore at night
Avoid the crowds on land in your heated boat
Enjoy mulled wine and hot chocolate on board

What's Included

Boat tour by Award Winner— Boat Tour of The Year 2019 for Amsterdam
90-minutes cruise with 1st class view of the open air exhibition 'Amsterdam Light Festival'
Personable non-scripted guide, host and fully licensed captain in-one
Alcoholic Beverages
Heated boat and warm blankets
We cruise in a saloon boat with sliding windows, a sunroof and open aft deck
Toilet on board (No. 1 yes, No. 2 no)

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Herengracht 386, 1016 CJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
I am waiting for you on the boat 'Jonckvrouw' in front of Herengracht 386.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Herengracht (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
Not recommened for travelers with acute intestinal problems
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

63 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 63 reviews

Fun and Wonderful

Michael_B, Mar 2024

An amazing tour! A great way to see Amsterdam! Our travel guide was friendly and made for a great experience! And, bonus, the glühwein was excellent and plentiful!!

Highly recommend, best boat tour in Amsterdam

Jason_M, Jan 2024

Captain Tony was amazing - super informative, engaged, and well-spoken. Couldn't have asked for a better guide. Our friend who was with us has lived here most of her life and still learned quite a bit from Tony! Highly recommend.

Brilliant Canal Cruise

Jane_C, Jan 2024

Captain Dave kept us entertained and we learned so much about Amsterdam both its history and today. Lovely comfortable cruise. Highly recommend

Lovely experience

d8gr7c6jvd, Jan 2024

Really lovely experience, our Caption (Tony) was very knowledgeable and seemed passionate about his job, not like he was reciting a speech as we have experienced at other cruises. The boat was warm (which was great as it was raining!) and welcoming, with drinks on board, and overall the atmosphere was cosy. Would definitely recommend booking this. As a side note, I left my headband that my sister had made for me on the boat, and Captain Dave has been kind and patient enough to talk to me and even send it back to my home address, when realistically their job was fulfilled as soon as we left the boat, so going above and beyond is an understatement!

Unique and informative boat tour.

Carolyn_A, Jan 2024

Lovely way to see the pretty canals of Amsterdam. Captain Dave was a great tour guide - sharing local knowledge and anecdotes along the way, and also the history of his boat. Grateful to be in a covered warm boat too!

Very enjoyable

Martin_B, Jan 2024

Jan was our captain for our cruise and he did a great job. He was very knowledgeable about the works of art in the Festival of Lights and about Amsterdam. It was much better than our daytime Canal cruise. We would definitely go again.

Amsterdam Festival of Lights Cruise: A Night to Remember with Captain Tony!

Daniel_R, Jan 2024

Wow, just wow! If you're in Amsterdam and looking for a magical evening, Captain Tony's Festival of Lights Cruise is a must-do! This was hands-down one of the coolest experiences we had in the city. Seeing Amsterdam lit up at night is a game changer. It gives you a completely new perspective on this already stunning city. The Festival of Lights was spectacular, and this year's AI theme was unexpected but so, so cool. Now let's talk about Captain Tony. What a legend! He was more than just a captain; he was the perfect host. His boat? Picture-perfect! It's got this charm that makes the whole experience feel extra special, like you're on a private, cozy tour of the city's hidden gems. Tony's insights about Amsterdam and the Festival of Lights were fascinating. He knows his stuff and shares it in such an engaging way. You can tell he's passionate about the city and the festival, and it's contagious. I've been on a few canal tours in Amsterdam, but this one with Captain Tony? The best, hands down. It was nothing like we expected (in the best way possible). So, if you're thinking about it, just go for it. You won't regret it! Thanks, Captain Tony, for an unforgettable night!

Lights Festival Fun!

Ann_M, Dec 2023

What a fun way to see Amsterdam at night. Romin navigated the canals perfectly while sharing stories about the light festival displays, the surrounding area and Amsterdam overall. The atmosphere was festive and fun!

Roomy, yet intimate. Jan...

John_A, Dec 2023

Roomy, yet intimate. Jan added a personal touch to the experience. Mulled Wine was just right. Highly recommended.

Wonderful, welcoming tour

Nancy_C, Dec 2023

We enjoyed our informative and welcoming boat tour! Our captain was knowledgeable, entertaining, and charming! Thank you for offering this great tour.

Lovely last evening in Amsterdam!

Estela_S, Dec 2023

Great canal tour with lots of fun information shared about Amsterdam. Nice to be in a heated and covered boat during winter weather but you can go outside on the rear of the boat to take clearer pictures. Free, hot alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks was a nice bonus. Captain Tony is kind and knowledgeable and made us feel quite comfortable. Thank you for a special last evening in Amsterdam! Side note: boat engine is electric and therefore very quite so it was quite easy to have conversations and hear the captain's commentary. :)

Beautiful…just do it

Gregg_T, Dec 2023

It was very interesting learning about history and the development of the Netherlands. Captain Tony was very knowledgeable of the area and was just a great guide overall.

A+

Christopher_K, Dec 2023

Warm cozy boat, great malt wine, and Captain Tony was a fabulous guide. Provided a great history of Amsterdam and its canal system. Highly recommend!

Must see tour! Hats off to the Skipper!

Claire_T, Dec 2023

Our Captain was knowledgeable and engaging. He provided insight into the history of Amsterdam an in addition he was able to identify and discuss the Art displays in the Festival of Lights.

Quality ride

Celinda_G, Dec 2023

This is a very laid-back comfortable canal boat ride. It is great for smaller groups they offer beverages and have a bathroom on board. The cruise is nice and slow so you can really take in the sights.

Excellent canal tour

msbechtum, Dec 2023

We enjoyed our canal tour with Roman as our knowledgeable and friendly captain. The boat was a well-maintained and comfortable wooden vessel. It was easy to see the sights. We were warm and cozy with glasses of gluhwein or hot cocoa and a small group of 12. Liked the smaller, more personable group experience.

Fabulous Niigata on the boat

Julie_K, Dec 2023

This was first class. Small group, covered boat, drinks including beer, wine included. Our Captain Roni was very knowledgeable. The boat also has a special permit to take you on the harbor. I highly recommend booking Captain Dave.

Great experience on New Years Eve!

Michael_G, Mar 2023

Lovely lights tour on New years - my mother really enjoyed the boat, talking to Dave, and the other passengers.

A perfect evening in Amsterdam!

Martha_E, Dec 2022

My group – two siblings, a brother-in-law, a friend from college, my friend’s 3-year-old daughter – needed an activity to do together on our last evening in Amsterdam. I hopped on Viator and found Captain Dave. My friend and I (and her daughter) arrived half an hour early and Dave was kind to let us onto the boat to get out of the rain. The service, consideration, and entertainment continued from there as we explored the canals of Amsterdam learning about the history of the city, canals, and even the 1920s boat we were on. The drinks were wonderful, the other guests were great, and we really felt like we were enjoying a luxury experience. I would love to tour again in the warmer months and would recommend this to other travelers!

quiet boat

Mats_S, Dec 2022

the small charming boat from 1928 and the captains interresting information about the city. The boat is now electrified and takes only 12 guests. It was warm inside +a glass of wine and it was great.