From €18
·1 hour
Dutch Cheese & Wine Pairings • Candlelit Cruise • Local Expert Host
Combine two of Amsterdam's greatest pleasures — a canal cruise and Dutch cheese — on this 1-hour shared experience with Starboard Boats. As you glide past centuries-old canal houses, a local host guides you through a curated tasting of Holland's finest cheeses, paired with wine or your drink of choice, by the light of candles on the water.
This isn't just sightseeing from the water — it's a slow, indulgent way to discover Amsterdam's canals while learning about the Dutch cheese-making tradition. Your host walks you through the varieties, the regions, the flavours: aged Gouda from the farm, young Edam, creamy Boerenkaas made from raw milk. Between bites, the canal houses slip past in the candlelight — a perfect backdrop for a tasting that connects food, history, and place.
• 1-hour shared candlelit canal cruise
• Curated Dutch cheese tasting selection
• Wine and drink options available on board
• Live commentary from your local skipper and host
• Electric, eco-friendly Starboard canal boat
Duration: 1 hour • Departure: Starboard Dock (Amstel 178), Amsterdam • Evening departure — candlelit atmosphere • Ideal for ages 18+
Tom Davies
July 2026
“Great crew”
Kayra Cankarpusat Barea
July 2026
“Our cruise with Michael as host and Vivien as skipper was extraordinary!!!! At every time we felt secure, welcomed and had a great time! Both were very attentive, friendly, and informative! 11/10, would recommend.”
Nikki B.
July 2026
“Great trip, fabulous hostess, very knowledgable about Amsterdam. Would highly recommend xx”
Tania Hai
July 2026
“We had such a great experience with Starboard! The boat tour was fantastic, and our guide was absolutely amazing, friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience so much fun. It was a wonderful way to explore Amsterdam. Highly recommend!”
Adriano Fachini
June 2026
“It was well worth it, in summer choose to do the tour after 6pm, it will still be very light out but the sun will have gone down already. An hour-long tour through several canals of Amsterdam.”
Tiffani Harvey
June 2026
“So many options to choose from in Amsterdam but we enjoyed this one. It was extremely hot this day but they had water on board and umbrellas to help. We did the unlimited drinks and it was worth it as we both enjoyed 3 beers. It was cool to see the city by boat. Our skipper (forgetting her name) and guide (Stella) were great. Stella is from the states but has been living in Amsterdam a few years now and knew a lot about the city. It was only us and another group of 2 so it was basically a private ride which was really cool as well.”
Yoad Dar Perl
June 2026
“Great experience professional staff and nice unique way to experience Amsterdam! Highly recommended!”
CJohnson
June 2026
“Great experience and lots of historical information. We ended up getting there 3 minutes before launch without reservations and it went smooth. Drink was included with the 25€ price per person”
Никола Новичић
June 2026
Sabin Munteanu
June 2026
“Excellent experience. Edward was an awesome guide, that not only taught us about the city but knew how to answer all of the other questions we had about the city - a well read, funny and careful individual. Thank you! Kees is an amazing skipper who was also calm and collected even with our kids playing around the boat. He also helped 2 passengers get off to make it to an appointment they had”
Billy Wright
June 2026
“Had an absolutely fantastic experience with Edward and Julian on the 90 minute unlimited drinks cruise. Best money we spent on our 4 day trip, would highly recommend.”
Alyssa Marie
June 2026
“What a wonderful and unforgettable experience! The crew was so lovely, welcoming, and fun! I’ve never laughed so hard. The conversation was great and not only did I learn so much about this city but also about dutch culture which was so refreshing. A shoutout to Boris for making this experience feel so special! You have to take this tour if you are ever visiting, it is definitely a must!”
Maja Einmo
June 2026
“Best boat ever<3 the captain is a legend”
Ilgaz Duman
June 2026
“Our tour boat guides Josha and Toine were so nice and friendly. It was a great experience.”
Alice
May 2026
“We took a cruise through the canals of Amsterdam, a beautiful experience, drinks included. We discovered this company thanks to Giorgio, whom we met on the street in the city and who kindly explained the different cruise options to us. Would do it again!”
doris baarsma
May 2026
“Had a lovely trip yesterday, beautiful boat and fun staff with lots of knowledge about the city!”
Prachur Bhargava
May 2026
“The boat was okay - run of the mill - nothing special. The guides were okay. The group on the boat made it more fun. Cool to be on the canals and see the city.”
Alison Mayersohn
May 2026
“Xavier, Diana and Timo were great. Loved our cruise. Thanks to the 3 of them!”
Dilu surf
May 2026
“We went on the light festival cruise with Starboard boats and had an amazing experience!”
BEYOND
May 2026
“What a wonderful experience with Starboard Boats. Two weeks ago, we booked a two-hour boat tour through the beautiful canals of Amsterdam, and everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. The boat was ready as soon as we arrived at the pick-up point, and the team warmly welcomed us on board. They took the time to explain the different routes available and even recommended the best ones to make the most of our trip. What impressed us most was their flexibility. Although we had booked a different drop-off location, they kindly accommodated our preferred drop-off point without any hassle. The crew was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, sharing fascinating stories about the city's history and the beautiful buildings we passed along the way. We were also served wine and other drinks, which made the experience even more relaxing and enjoyable. Overall, it was an exceptional experience, and I would highly recommend Starboard Boats to anyone planning a boat trip through the stunning canals of Amsterdam.”
Cancel at least 48 hours before your booking for a full refund.
Reschedule up to 24 hours before the cruise via the confirmation email.
Cancel less than 48 hours before your booking and get no refund.
This operator's policy: Cancel at least 48 hours before your booking for a full refund.; Reschedule up to 24 hours before the cruise via the confirmation email.; Cancel less than 48 hours before your booking and get no refund..
This varies by cruise — check the feature badges and 'What's Included' section on this specific cruise page above for exactly what's covered (drinks, snacks, toilet, heating, and more) before you book.
Yes — shared cruises are booked per seat, so solo travelers, couples, and small groups can all join the same departure alongside other guests. Check this cruise page for how many seats you can book in one reservation.
The exact departure point is shown on the map further down this page — click "How far is this from me?" for directions from your location. Once you book, the full address and directions are also sent straight to your confirmation email.
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.
