Do I have to make a reservation?

Reservations for the City Canal Cruise (daytime) are only neccesary when:

• there is a wheelchair in the party
• your party is over 20 persons

For the Evening Cruise and the Burger Cruise it is not neccesary to make a reservation, but because they have set departure times & limited capacity, it is recommended to make a reservation to avoid disappointment. If you book tickets online, your spot is guarenteed and often online tickets are cheaper as well!

What if I’m late for the reserved time?

Please contact our reservations department (+ 31 20 679 1370) if you’ve reserved a canal cruise, but won’t make it on time. They’ll see if you can hop on the next cruise.

I have not received my E-tickets – what should I do?

Please send an e-mail to bbsupport@prioticket.com with the name on your ticket, the date and (if applicable) the time you have booked tickets for.

Can I change my online reserved time?

Tickets that are reserved for a certain date and time, can’t be changed. We can make exceptions in certain cases.

Can I get a refund for my online purchased ticket?

Unfortunately you can’t get a refund for a purchased ticket. You can transfer the ticket to someone else.

How long is my ticket valid?

Your ticket is valid indefinitely, unless there’s a date and time written on your ticket. If the product that you purchased a ticket for is not offered anymore by Blue Boat, then you can choose another product.

What is the departure location?

Please check your ticket to see which location your cruise is departing from. Our City Canal Cruise departs from Stadhouderskade 501 (Hard Rock Café) and Stadhouderskade 550 (Heineken Experience). The Evening Cruise and the open boat departs from Hard Rock Café. The City Canal Cruise North departs from Overhoeksplein 3 (North).

Will there be a guide on board?

All our boats are equipped with a modern computerised Personal Audio System that can give commentary in 21 different languages, as well as a special childrens story “Wanted: Freshwater Pirates”.

We also offer a free Guide App for you mobile phone that offers the same features.

What is the difference between the 75-minute and 90-minute cruise?

During the day, we only have a 75-minute cruise. This “City Canal Cruise” takes you past all the city’s highlights, with an audio guide through our personal audio system.

In the evening, we only have a 90-minute cruise so you see a little more of the city. These “Evening Cruises” have a waiter on board, so you can also order drinks on board (not included – not compulsary). On board we can only accept card payments (debit & credit).

What are the departure times per location?

City Canal Cruise (Hard Rock Café)
Winter season (Nov – Mar): Monday to Wednesday every half hour from 10:15 until 17:15. Thursday to Sunday every half hour from 10:15 until 17:15.
Summer season (Apr – Oct): Every half hour from 9:45 until 19:15.

City Canal Cruise (Heineken Experience)
Winter season: Monday to Wednesday every hour from 10:15 until 17:15. Thursday until Sunday every half hour from 10:15 until 17:15
Summer season: Every half hour from 9:45 until 19:15

City Canal Cruise North (Overhoeksplein 3)
Only in the summer season at 11:00, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:00.

Evening Cruises (Hard Rock Café)
Winter season: Monday to Wednesday at 20:00. Thursday to Sunday at 19:00, 20:00 and 21:00.
Summer season: Every half hour from 18:30 to 22:00.

What are the departure times for the Kids Cruise?

The Kids Cruise happens during the regular City Canal Cruise. When you buy a kids ticket you’ll receive a pirate work book and a pirates binocular. During the cruise the kids will listen to their own audio story (available in Dutch and English) via the Personal Audio System.

What are the opening times?

We open half an hour before the first cruise and close fifteen minutes after the last one. See the question above for the departure times per location.

How can I pay?

You can pay with iDeal, Visa, Mastercard and American Express on our website. You can also pay with cash at the cash registers.

Can I bring my own food?

Unfortunately it is not allowed to bring your own food and/or drinks on board the city canal cruise or the evening cruise.

Can I bring a pram/stroller on board?

Strollers have to be folded up as much as possible and left at the dock.

Can I bring my dog?

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on regular cruises (except guide dogs). If you book a private boat, we do allow pets under certain conditions.

Do you have a special children’s price?

Children under 5 are free, provided they sit on their parent’s lap. For children aged 5-12, we have a special children’s rate.

What are the stops during the cruise?

There won’t be any stops during the cruise. The final destination is the same location as where you got on the boat.

I forgot something on board!

You can check all our lost & found items on our iLost page. If we have found your item, it will be on here and you can claim it directly!

Will I get seasick?

It is very unlikely. Our boats mostly sail within Amsterdam’s city centre, where the water usually stays very calm.

Is there a toilet on board?

Yes, every boat has a toilet.

What happens when it rains/storms/freezes?

Our boats have a roof that can close fully and we have central heating on board, so even if it is cold outside, you will be warm inside. We mostly sail within the canals where the water stays very calm, so we can sail in almost any weather. In the rare circumstance where we are not able to sail due to a high water level, persistant storm or frost, you can cancel or reschedule your cruise without charge.

I’m in a wheelchair. Can I come and sail with you?

Yes, you can! Six of our party vessels are equipped with a wheelchair lift, so you can come on board without having to leave your chair. Please note that, if you require wheelchair access, it is ALWAYS necessary to make a reservation.

Is the boat open or closed?

A few of our boats have an aft deck, but during the summer all the roofs can be removed. And in the winter our heating will keep you warm.

Do you have lifejackets and/or safety buoys on board?

Of course! Every boat is equipped with 4 safety buoys. In addition, the seatings is removable and can be used as a flotation device.

Can I smoke on board?

Smoking is only allowed on our outside deck.

Do you sell gift certificates?

Yes, we do. You can pick them up at our ticket office at the Stadhouderskade, opposite number 25, or you can contact our booking department to order (reservations@blueboat.nl / +31 20 679 13 70)

Information about the I Amsterdam Card

If you have an I Amsterdam Card, you get free access to a City Canal Cruise. Please note that your card is only valid for 48 hours after activating it. Check this page for more information about the I Amsterdam Card.

Where can I park my car?

The closest multistorey carpark is called “Byzantium”. It is located at the Stadhouderskade, a 5 minute walk from our dock.
Click here to visit the website of the Byzantium parking garage.

Where can we park our coach?

Just across the street from our docks is a temporary carpark for coaches. You can park there to drop off or pick up your guests. It is not allowed to leave the bus there!
At Museum Square is a carpark for coaches. Click here to visit the website of the coach carpark “Museumplein”.

Is it better to do a canal cruise during the day or at night?

The experience of doing a canal cruise during the day and at night is completely different, so we advice you to do both once!