Shared Cruise on the Sophie
A cozy, cocktail & snacks inclusive canal cruise
Exceptional
395 reviews
What guests loved most
Zach C.
“Pleasant experience. The Fonz was delightful.”
Book up to 15 min before departure
From €55
·1 hour & 30 mins
About this tour
Unlimited Spirits • Max 12 Guests • Witty Local Captain
Shared Canal Cruise on the Sophie
The Sophie takes a maximum of twelve guests on a 90-minute Amsterdam canal cruise that moves at its own pace. Your captain steers away from the usual tourist routes, threading through quieter stretches of the canal system while sharing stories about the city — delivered, by all accounts, with a dry sense of humour. This is a small canal cruise Amsterdam visitors tend to remember for the company as much as the scenery.
All-Inclusive Drinks and Snacks
An international open bar runs the entire journey: wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. Pour what you like, as often as you like. A selection of savoury and sweet nibbles comes with the ticket, and you're welcome to bring your own snacks aboard if you want something more substantial. The philosophy here leans toward generosity — better one drink too many than one too few.
Onboard Comfort
The Sophie has an indoor saloon with large windows for colder days, comfortable outside seating when the weather cooperates, and a retractable roof in case it doesn't. There's an onboard toilet, which sounds mundane until you're midway through an Amsterdam boat tour and grateful for it. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance means plans can shift without penalty. Departures leave from Singel, close to the city centre, and the whole thing wraps up in an hour and a half — long enough to settle in, short enough to leave the evening open.
“Pleasant experience. The Fonz was delightful.”
Things You Need To Know
Food
- A small selection of savoury and sweet nibbles is included
- Bringing your own is allowed
Drinks
- International open bar included
- Selection of wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks
- Coffee & tea
More Benefits
- Humorous captain!
- Large windows
- Indoor saloon
- Comfortable outside seating
- Intimate experience
- Fun & informative stories
- Local insights
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation 48h before departure time
- Change time 24h before departure time
- Increase guests 1h before departure time
What guests say
Zach C.
August 2026
“Pleasant experience. The Fonz was delightful.”
David A.
August 2026
“Fons is the absolute best!! Such a memorable experience :)”
Manuel U.
August 2026
“The tour was excellent and that day it didn’t rain, the weather was nice 🌞. The captain was super friendly 😊 and even spoke to us in Spanish 🇪🇸. Thank you very much! 🥂”
Nick D.
August 2026
“Amazing canal tour on a beautiful boat, plus Fons was a brilliant captain and host. Would highly recommend.”
Kelly G.
August 2026
“Fonz was fantastic! He made our cruise so enjoyable and really gave us a lot of info that made it memorable! Thank you Fonz!”
Lily S.
August 2026
“really amazing tour experience that focused on keeping the group small and the experience fun. will be telling all my friends this is the tour to do! Fons was an incredible guide”
Doğukan S.
August 2026
“Amazing tour, Mr Fons was very knowledgeable and kind. The tour is really informative and beats the generic touristy boat tours. Highly recommended!”
Jessica M.
August 2026
“We had a wonderful time aboard the Sophie! She’s a beautiful boat and so comfortable. The drinks and snacks aboard were great. Fons was super knowledgeable and he made the tour special for us! We got lucky with the weather but I think it’s awesome to have the option of sitting outside or in.”
Hafeez S.
August 2026
“Fons is as exceptional in navigating the canals as he is knowledgeable about the city's history and beyond. Highly recommended. Great value. He also allows for a curated experience based on the group.”
Martin H.
August 2026
“Took the group tour today. Really amazing, captain Fonzi was great fun and knowledgable. If your looking for something a little better that everything else, this is it!”
Sue
August 2026
“Fons was the best! He was so personable and truly understands the culture and history of Amsterdam. He shared o personal connections to the sites we passed. I really like that it was a small group. I went on my own to this canal tour and I felt welcomed by Fons and the other guests. There were beautiful sites to see and great laughs. I would 100% book again. I found this through an Instagram ad and liked that the experience was unique and affordable. Thank you so much and I'm glad I stumbled upon this experience. I would highly recommend to anyone. The booking was seamless through the website and I messaged the WhatsApp and called them to ensure I was in the right location and they helped me while staying on the phone until I found the boat. Thank you for a great time.”
joanne M.
August 2026
“Fons was a fabulous Captain/Tour Guide/Bar man. Small format canal cruise, really informative and a beautiful boat. Highly recommend.”
Michael S.
August 2026
“Wonderful canal tour. Fons was terrific. It really couldn’t have been any better! Enjoy!”
D P.
August 2026
“Amazing boat tour, entertaining and attracted a great group of people. 10/10”
Frank S.
August 2026
“Nick took great care of us. The boat was clean, good vibes, and perfect experience seeing the views from the canal.”
Jimmy S.
August 2026
“Best boat tour! The captain was fantastic and the full bar had everything you need, including garnishes.”
Chava W.
August 2026
“Wonderful cruise. Perfect way to spend time in Amsterdam. Jan, our captain, was engaging, funny, warm. He made everyone welcome. He shared lots of information and stories. Snacks and beverages were available and nice. Highly recommend.”
Barmak C.
August 2026
“Bow is the best person you can find for a private tour who knows and explains everything about the city. He is so nice, knowledgeable and explains everything you need to know. His boat is so clean, lots of refreshments, alcoholic drinks and non alcoholic drinks. Thank you so much for such an amazing experience!!”
Owen L.
August 2026
“Very fun ride, small groups, amazing skippers. Jane was the best he was the best, he was very informative and funny. The boat was nice and clean. Overall an amazing experience and would definitely do again.”
Victoria B.
August 2026
“Highlight of our 3 week European trip! Highly recommend!!!!”
Boat Tour Departure Location
Who This Is For
Great for
- Solo travellers and couples happy to share the boat with a few others
- Travellers who want a small, quiet group (max 12 guests)
- Guests who want unlimited drinks included
- Winter and rainy days — the boat is covered and heated
Maybe not for
- Anyone wanting a private boat — this cruise is shared with other guests
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this cruise depart from?
Shared Cruise on the Sophie departs from Singel 7, 1012 NA Amsterdam.
How long is this cruise?
The cruise lasts 1 hour & 30 mins.
How many people can join this cruise?
Shared Cruise on the Sophie is a shared cruise with a maximum of 12 guests on board, so you book per seat and travel alongside other guests.
How much does this cruise cost?
Prices for Shared Cruise on the Sophie start at €55 per person.
What is included on this cruise?
This cruise includes Free Cancellation, Onboard Toilet, Unlimited Drinks (incl. spirits) and Roof in case of rain.
Are drinks included on this cruise?
Yes — unlimited drinks are included in the price of this cruise.
Are snacks included on this cruise?
Yes, snacks are included on this cruise.
Is there a toilet on board?
Yes, there is a toilet on board this cruise.
What happens if it rains?
This boat has rain cover, so you stay dry on board if the weather turns.
Is this an open boat?
Yes, this is an open boat rather than an enclosed one, and it has rain cover for when the weather turns.
Is the boat heated?
Yes, this boat has heating on board, which keeps it comfortable in colder weather.
Is this a small-group cruise?
Yes — this is a small-group cruise, capped at 12 guests on board.
Can I bring my dog on this cruise?
Yes, this cruise is pet-friendly, so your dog is welcome on board.
Can I cancel this cruise for free?
Yes, this cruise offers free cancellation.
Who operates this cruise?
Shared Cruise on the Sophie is operated by Bow's Journeys and can be booked directly through BoatLocal.
Can I book last-minute, and how fast is my booking confirmed?
Yes, as long as a time slot is still open for booking on this page. Every booking is confirmed instantly online — no waiting to hear back. Each available time shows its own booking cutoff, so grab a spot before it closes if you're booking for the same day.
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About Bow's Journeys
Bow's Journeys
Bow's Journeys was started by Boudewijn, who began giving canal tours at 14 on his family's small boat and built the company around one idea: people don't want to be passengers, they want to be guests. The fleet is two fully electric boats — Sophie, a 1911 salon boat restored to her original elegance, and Pien, a sleek private cruiser — with Sophie running both the shared cruises and private charters, and Pien available for private charters only. Every tour caps at 12 guests and is led by a local captain — a mix of former photographers, historians, musicians and leadership coaches — sharing lived stories instead of a rehearsed script.
View all cruises by Bow's Journeys