Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Is the Historic City Center Tour Worth It?

Amsterdam, with its historic city center, well, it’s almost famous for its stunning canals, is that right? A canal cruise, really, tends to be something just about every visitor thinks about doing, too it’s almost considered a classic Amsterdam experience. Of all the canal cruises available, the “Amsterdam Historic City Center” tour is pretty popular. But, is that cruise actually worth your money and time? I mean, you might be wondering if it truly lives up to the hype.

First Impressions: Getting on Board

As I was saying, you’ll discover several starting points sprinkled around the city center for this cruise, and, I mean, the departure locations tend to be pretty accessible. When you get to the dock, too it’s almost pretty straightforward; still, lines, really, could be a bit long depending on the time of year, and you will probably have to wait. Once I got on the boat, the first thing that struck me was the layout. Many boats, actually, now they offer both open-air and enclosed seating areas. If it is a clear day, the open-air section offers some pretty unbelievable views; that said, the enclosed area, literally, is kind of ideal for chillier or wetter days – which, as a matter of fact, is relatively common in Amsterdam, right? The boats, in a way, they are often pretty comfy, yet, it seems, not always super fancy. Still, their primary function seems to be to give a great view of the scenery, in that case, they tend to succeed.

The Sights: What You’ll See

What, really, makes this particular cruise unique, is that it concentrates on the historic areas of Amsterdam, that is true. Cruising along, as a matter of fact, you will view tons of the iconic canal houses, you know, with their cool gabled roofs. Of course, these old houses, basically, they aren’t only great to look at; instead, they also tell many stories about Amsterdam’s wealthy past. You also, very, often cruise by the Anne Frank House (from the outside), and basically, some pretty other significant landmarks, too. As I was saying, you can catch glimpses of Westerkerk church, for example, or maybe the Skinny Bridge, which is very much a cute drawbridge that features in plenty of photos of Amsterdam. I will say that depending on the tour you pick, as a matter of fact, the route can differ slightly, still, the core historic sights tend to be consistently featured. During my cruise, to be honest, there was even this unexpected view of a neighborhood cat doing parkour across the rooftops – as a matter of fact, little experiences really kind of make the trip much more interesting.

Commentary and Information

I mean, nearly all Amsterdam canal cruises come equipped with some form of guided commentary. I mean, it seems that quite a few offer pre-recorded tours through headphones that you are aware of, too, these are often available in tons of languages, which can be convenient, as a matter of fact. Many tours will provide a live guide, and honestly, this definitely ups the experience a little bit. As I was saying, a live guide can kind of add tidbits or local anecdotes which aren’t in any script. During one tour I took, you see, the live guide very clearly pointed out where a famous Dutch painter, clearly, used to live, or where some particularly exciting historical events actually happened, but you do get some dry pre-recorded ones. As I was saying, the best commentary provides both educational facts with engaging stories that really kind of keep you entertained. Even though, it’s really important that the sound system really be clear so that everyone hears, which sounds very basic. It does enhance, really, your entire trip, especially if you are sitting on the back of the boat in the open air section, you know?

Value for Money

Amsterdam canal cruises come, like your typical tourist attraction, usually in several flavors with price points varying significantly, that is right? Generally, for a simple, hour-long historic city cruise, I would argue that you are checking out spending somewhere, almost, around €16 to €22. I mean, lots of cruises that come in the way of combo tickets – say, almost, pairing the cruise with another local attraction. Still, I almost think they really may be useful should you hope to see multiple things. Now, you have more upmarket cruises that actually offer extras, you know, such as food, like your cheese and , for example, or potentially , like your tour lasts much longer. While these potentially come with a more hefty price tag, the added services really could make the whole experience truly a bit better. When choosing, consider what exactly you want to get from the trip. I mean, if you are on a budget, very much your standard tour of about an hour works okay, too it’s almost provides a brilliant general summary of all the highlights; if, say, almost, you feel up for the extended one and very much enjoy chilling out while exploring, like your longer tour with more offerings actually might justify the money.

Pros and Cons

To be honest, to help you very much decide, check out a brief run through of those pros and cons of an Amsterdam Historic City Center canal cruise:

• Pros:
• Wonderful views: You have many beautiful perspectives from which, frankly, to view landmarks and buildings in the whole city.
• Relaxing Experience: It really provides an opportunity to relax and potentially rest all your feet after quite a lot of walking.
• Informative Commentary: Actually, you learn tons in the story behind a landmark of some historic point from that past.
• Cons:
• Potentially Crowded: Really can be crowded during peak tourist season.
• Weather Dependent: Almost your full enjoyment, too it’s almost really is down to the sun; less so when wet.
• Not always that much of a unique view: Seeing it through a different point is okay, basically, if it really isn’t new or groundbreaking.

The disadvantages might only be slight for the most part and potentially may not really affect many, very, too.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Canal Cruise

• Book in Advance: Particularly, reserve if touring during peak season just to secure that spot of yours and not need to line up.
• Go during off peak: Take to cruising off peak or later for a more uncrowded scene.
• Be Aware of the elements: Amsterdam’s weather is sort of all over so wrap it up or grab your jacket with your brolly with that warm clothing to be comfy.

Final Verdict: Should You Cruise?

At the end of the day if that sounds to be a must, I should add! If you haven’t toured the City from a watery angle I suggest booking with a group/ tour operator to guide your experience for an entertaining few hours. Don’t expect mind blowing or new age thrills or spills- this is about checking some local sights but on the canals from an informative, different scenic point.