An Amsterdam canal dinner cruise with kids
Children and a long dinner on a boat can go either way. Length matters most, then whether the food suits young eaters. Below, how the four cruises we compare handle families, starting with the one built for them.
The four cruises for families at a glance
A family dinner cruise works best when it is short and the food is familiar. Only one of the four we compare offers both, while the others ask more patience from young children.
| Cruise | Length | Food | For children | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stromma pizza cruise | 1.5 hours | One pizza each | Coloring sheets, toilet on board | ~$39 |
| LOVERS | 2 hours | Four courses | 3 and under free on a lap | ~$99 |
| Rederij Aemstelland | 2 hours 15 minutes | Three courses | Better for adults | ~$134 |
| Boat Boys | 2 hours | Two courses à la carte | Your own boat | ~$432 per boat |
Stromma's pizza cruise, the family pick
GetYourGuide calls the pizza cruise perfect for all ages, and Viator lists coloring sheets for kids. The boat has a toilet and Wi-Fi, and at 1.5 hours it ends before most children run out of patience.
Each guest gets one New York Pizza from five kinds, Margherita and Pepperoni among them, collected on the way and served hot. One reviewer mentions a vegan option, and each booking sits together at its own table.
Stromma does not take stag or hen groups, which keeps the mood calmer than on a party boat. The pizza cruise from ~$39 holds 4.5 from 3,100+ reviews on GetYourGuide, and 4.3 from 1,100+ on Viator.
A short evening the kids can sit through
Stromma's pizza boat boards at Damrak Pier 4 near Centraal Station and sails for 1.5 hours, with a pizza each and a toilet on board. Prices differ a little between the two sites.
Nuts are served on the pizza cruise, and the listing says it is not suited to nut allergies. If your child has one, pick another cruise or ask Stromma before you book.
Drinks and the adults at the table
The pizza cruise pours wine and beer without limit, alongside soft drinks, and one reviewer mentions orange juice. The drinking age in the Netherlands is 18, so children stay with the soft drinks while the grown-ups relax.
Unlimited drinks can also mean a lively room on some nights. A table for your booking alone helps, since your family sits together rather than beside strangers. Our drinks guide compares what each cruise pours.
LOVERS with younger children
On LOVERS, children aged 3 or under go free if they sit on a lap, according to GetYourGuide. That helps with a baby or toddler, though a lap for two hours is a long ask.
Four courses over 2 hours is a long sitting for small children, and the menu is adult food, from pea soup with asparagus to a stroopwafel tiramisu. One menu applies per booking, so a child eats what the adults chose unless you book separately under the same name.
Older children who like trying new dishes may enjoy it, and the captain's commentary gives them something to follow. The four-course cruise is laid out course by course in our menu guide.
Aemstelland, better for adults
Aemstelland's dinner runs 2 hours 15 minutes, with three courses and drinks bought on board. Nothing on the listing bars children, but the quiet saloon boat and the price per head make it better for adults.
The small boat holds at most 20 guests, so a restless child is noticed by everyone. If you can get an evening without the kids, it makes a fine dinner for two while someone else babysits.
Boat Boys, a family table of your own
A private boat removes most of the worry. Boat Boys fits up to 12 guests on GetYourGuide, so a family, or two families together, can have the whole boat and their own pace for 2 hours.
Each guest orders two courses à la carte from a restaurant the group chooses beforehand, so children can pick something they like. The ~$432 price is for the boat, which our private cruise guide divides by group size.
Boat Boys, LOVERS and Aemstelland are not wheelchair accessible per their listings. Strollers are not mentioned on any of them, so ask the operator before bringing one.
Timing a family evening
A 7:00 pm start, as on LOVERS's Viator listing, means a late night for young children. In winter the boats sail in the dark past lit bridges, while summer evenings stay light. Our guide to timing covers both.
Bring a warm layer for the walk along the quay, since the boats are covered but the docks are not. The boarding guide shows the pizza boat's pier is a 3-minute walk from Centraal Station, and our clothing notes cover the rest.
Matching the cruise to your children's ages
- For babies and toddlers on a lap, LOVERS from ~$99, free for ages 3 and under, if they can manage two hours
- For young school-age children, the pizza cruise from ~$39, short and familiar, with coloring sheets
- For teenagers who like good food, LOVERS, or Aemstelland if the budget allows
- For several families or a big birthday group, Boat Boys, ~$432 for the boat, up to 12 guests
Before booking, compare the price on both partner sites, since the same cruise can cost a different amount on each. The listings we read all allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before, which helps if a child falls ill.