Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Open Bar Boat Ride Review

So, you’re thinking about doing an Amsterdam canal cruise, right? And perhaps this open bar boat thing sounds pretty tempting? I get it! Cruising those attractive waterways while sipping on, maybe, a cold drink…it’s certainly an appealing image. Here’s what you might anticipate, the potential hiccups, and whether this tour is really worth your money.

What You Can Anticipate on an Open Bar Cruise

Firstly, the “open bar” element of it. Often, what it translates to is a range of typically local drinks. Think beer – probably Heineken or a similar Dutch brand – maybe with wine (house kind of stuff, not aged vintages) and perhaps some simple mixed drinks, it is like your rum and cola. Now, keep in mind that while the drinks are, in a way, unlimited, the quality and variety might not be amazing, still they do the trick, clearly. Also, it is pretty important that they usually impose some limits, as too many free drinks might make you regret the whole idea!

As a matter of fact, it’s nearly essential to check if they also supply non-alcoholic choices, it is just in case someone in your group isn’t drinking, right? Sparkling water and soft drinks should be a minimum, and the good outfits usually offer those too.

Then, we get to the views. The heart of Amsterdam viewed from the water is pretty spectacular, honestly. You glide past old houses, attractive houseboats, and under appealing bridges. If the boat goes into some of the quieter canals, it has, arguably, an absolutely stunning vibe. It’s a chance to appreciate the architecture and ambience, totally different from walking the crowded footpaths.

On most of these boat trips, a guide provides some kind of commentary. The level of info may actually vary a bit, it is true, yet many offer historical snippets and some interesting tales about the city. At the end of the day, how good this really is will hinge on the specific guide. And as you are cruising, perhaps you get some knowledge too.

Potential Problems and Things to Know

It is also good to know that canal cruises can get seriously booked up, primarily during high tourist periods. Therefore, booking way ahead of time is fairly advised. This is mainly correct if you’re visiting during summer or around holidays.

Crowds can actually have a real effect, as the boats might get packed. Imagine being squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder with heaps of other tourists, alright. So, if you would prefer something more laid-back, see whether the tour companies propose boats with less capacity. Sometimes it does pay, actually.

Plus, weather matters significantly too. A canal cruise under the sun can be beautiful, clearly. But going out in heavy rain or cold weather can actually spoil the atmosphere, you see. Operators tend to provide some blankets if it’s a bit colder, still if you look at the forecast be certain you’re equipped appropriately.

The duration of your boat thing is just something to consider. Most open bar cruises run around an hour to 90 minutes, it is the general experience. You have to consider this while calculating if the cost equates to the amount of drinks and the tour overall.

Is the Open Bar Canal Cruise Really Worth It?

Okay, here’s the question. When the atmosphere is a party vibe and meeting fellow tourists while seeing the city from the water, that open bar canal boat ride probably is for you. However, those seeking a more profound or serene experience could find these party cruises a bit much, mostly because they tend to go louder.

So, here’s something; you might have to do some contrasting in the tour providers. Look into stuff such as group sizes, types of beverages provided, commentary level, and whether they offer different options like evening or daytime sails.

And thinking about it, you might want to compare this against standard canal tours (without the open bar thing). They often provide a more serene ambience and quite focused narrative, still you’re purchasing beverages independently, of course.

Money, naturally. Assess what you’re fairly likely to spend on drinks independently against the open bar bundle, naturally. When you feel that you are in for three or even more drinks, that open bar thing could pay for itself in any case.

Making the Most of Your Canal Cruise

Therefore, turn up a little before time so you’re able to grab a good chair, and if it is an outdoor seating option, absolutely secure your spot in time, at the end of the day. Being at the front of a boat can give quite outstanding view. If not, near the rails may do just fine, certainly.

Actually talk to some people! Several boat trips have an extremely friendly vibe, honestly. Touching base with fellow travelers can easily boost the overall satisfaction of it all, in general. You may learn something new, finally.

Don’t be too shy to inquire. Don’t be too hesitant to ask questions of the staff in case something isn’t clear and in need of explaining to be well understood. A guide typically welcomes some interactions from the participants, after all.

Don’t just gulp down beverages constantly; make the most of your surrounds, also. Really appreciate what the city looks from the water, soak in the atmosphere, and just savour the time, mostly.

Alternative Options

In any case, consider a dinner cruise instead for a very elegant alternative. Often these types propose an absolutely upscale dining event whilst sailing the waterways. They may come somewhat pricey, yet they provide, seemingly, another method of sightseeing.

So, it is a great idea to check into smaller, personal boat trips if bigger crowds genuinely aren’t for you. Many smaller sized operators propose tailored outings for a far more personal atmosphere. The best of these are electric and, for instance, silent!

It might be fun if you simply hire your own small boat, in fact. Several places supply tiny electric boats that one can lease and captain independent of any other person. It gives the potential for visiting at one’s own tempo, but of course one is on their own about drinks, to say nothing about not running into other canal goers.

Maybe you should examine taking a simple hop-on hop-off boat tour for seeing the waterways at a more calm tempo, it is what many people recommend. The method of transport enables you to leave the ship at numerous locations of attraction, which might be good for certain travelers.

Summing things up

So, it sounds like opting into that open bar thing for Amsterdam’s canals sounds neat, actually? Really think over what you want, because it’s worth contrasting some options, reading those fine print specifics and perhaps seeing whether it is aligned to create special times, that you won’t regret later!