all‑inclusive canal cruise on the Pien with international open bar, snacks and a local captain
Exceptional
395 reviews
What guests loved most
Koen Huisman
“Echt een aanrader deze rondvaart Amsterdam! Fons legt alles over de stad uit, wat hij met veel passi…”
Book up to 2h before departure
From €275
·1 hour & 30 minutes
Private Charter • All-Inclusive Open Bar & Snacks • Up to 10 Guests
The Pien is a comfortable canal boat with space for up to ten guests, large windows on all sides, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Book her for ninety minutes and you get the whole vessel to yourselves — no strangers, no fixed commentary, just your group and a captain who knows the city's waterways well enough to steer clear of the crowded stretches. A retractable roof means you're covered if the weather turns, and there's a toilet on board for longer afternoons afloat.
This private canal cruise amsterdam includes an open bar stocked with wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks, plus coffee and tea. A small spread of savoury and sweet nibbles comes as standard, and you're welcome to bring your own food if you'd rather mark a birthday or team outing with something specific. One note: the unlimited drinks are charged at fifteen euros per person when you step aboard, so factor that into your plans.
The skipper doubles as your guide, sharing stories about Amsterdam past and present with a sense of humour rather than a script. Expect local insight over tourist-trail facts, and a route that favours the quieter corners of the canal ring over the busiest junctions. For a private boat tour amsterdam that feels unhurried and genuinely personal, the Pien fits the brief — small enough to be cosy, well-equipped enough to keep everyone comfortable, and crewed by someone who clearly enjoys the job.
Koen Huisman
July 2026
“Echt een aanrader deze rondvaart Amsterdam! Fons legt alles over de stad uit, wat hij met veel passie doet. Dank je Fons”
Jens Bot
July 2026
“Fantastische manier om Amsterdam te ontdekken. Fons is dé captain! Ik zou deze partij zeker aanraden als je een rondvaart in Amsterdam boekt, want ze zijn gewoon duidelijk de beste”
Ben Chrischilles
July 2026
“Great tour! Good mix of architectural history, humor, and hospitality. Lots of the big brand boats cram people in, this one had tons of free space.”
Craig Smith
July 2026
“This was a last minute booking, but so glad we made the choice. Beautiful boat (Sophie) great captain kept us educated and entertained. As an expat who loves to show friends and family the wonders of Amsterdam when they visit, this will be my go-to boat tour from now on.”
jolene Moran
July 2026
“Amazing captain amazing boat amazing tour don’t miss this!!”
Zaraa Neila
July 2026
“Tour en bateau incroyable avec Jon ! Plein d’histoires et d’anecdotes passionnantes sur la ville, open bar généreusement rempli, ambiance intimiste en petit groupe. Le bateau était magnifique, l’équipe disponible et réactive ! J’ai adoré, c’est à faire pour tout ceux allant à Amsterdam !”
Jeannine Campbell
July 2026
“John was extremely warm and welcoming !! He greeted each passenger individually, truly an inviting experience. His knowledge of Amsterdam was impressive, answering any question asked of him. The voyage was incredibly peaceful - allowing the passenger to take in all of the city - all attributed to John and the atmosphere he created. NOTE: Bow’s Journey came recommended from The Pillows Hotel.”
Chuck Roberg
July 2026
“Great tour. Plenty of narrated sites to see. Adequate bar on board with snacks. Hop on board and enjoy the ride”
Brian Pate
July 2026
“What a wonderful journey with Captain Jan! Highly recommend a ride on the Sophie, a beautifully restored classic river cruiser. Captain Jan knows the history and the hidden treasures in the canals around Amsterdam. Fantastic value.”
Iva Boyadzhieva
July 2026
“It is what is says on their website! 🤩 Not your average cruise where you can barely hear the captain from the other side of the boat. It is very cosy, enough space to have everyone seated on the outside deck at the front. The tour is 90 minutes, so it doesn't feel rushed at all. On the contrary, you have enough time to chill, relax and enjoy all the beautiful sites around. You are free to help yourself to a drink from the bar inside anytime, which adds to the home-like experience. Our captain was very friendly and welcoming, and had a lot of curious stories and facts to tell us from the perspective of a local. You can freely join the conversation onboard or sit quietly to enjoy the views. 100% recommend!”
Spencer Bossi-Johnson
July 2026
“John was an exceptional tour guide, he was so friendly and gave so much historical context on Amsterdam and its founding. 10/10 recommend, one of the best experiences we’ve have in the city!”
fourthann
July 2026
“John was the best captain. He was so informative and really was so kind. Would definitely recommend him for any boat tour in the future.”
Lauren Bossi-Johnson
July 2026
“John was incredible, this was the best tour. His knowledge of the city & conversational nature made the trip so enjoyable. If you have the opportunity to get on a boat ride in Amsterdam, take it with Bow’s Journeys with John - he is the best!”
Natalie warren
July 2026
“We had the most amazing tour/cruise with John. I would take this trip over again!!! It a small group of people and amazing tour.”
James Tedesco
July 2026
“We had a great journey on the canals of Amsterdam with Capt Jon this evening. Informed and funny captain shared interesting history on the formation of the city and many of the famous thinkers and artists that came from this society. Loved the tour”
Inspire Dance Challenge
July 2026
“Captain John was exceptional and very informative on our journey, learning about how tolerance built an incredible Dutch Empire. Wonderful tour beautiful boat. Picturesque canal settings”
Michelle Delaney
July 2026
“We had a great time on Bow's Journeys Canal Cruise Amsterdam. Captain John was full of interesting information, was very professional and had a great boat!”
Dave Goossens
July 2026
“Vandaag, 8 juli 2026 op de 70ste verjaardag van m’n moeder de Pien geboekt. We waren met 7 personen, m’n ouders m’n gezin en m’n broertje. Al vanaf de boeking merkte je dat deze eigenaar betrokken is bij zijn klanten. Snelle response en luisteren naar de wensen. Bij de afspraak werden we op de stoep al opgewacht door de kapitein, wat een hartelijke en leuke vent! Kaptitein Nicos verstaat z’n vak en heeft empathie en gevoel voor humor. Hij voer ons naar de plaats die we hadden verzocht op voorhand en maakte daarna nog een prachtige route. Het heeft ons letterlijk en figuurlijk aan niets ontbroken. Hartelijk dank en zeker tot de volgende! Familie Goossens”
T P
July 2026
“Fantastische boot en schipper. Echte gunners, zeldzaam om dit nog te vinden. Goudeerlijk.”
Chiara Polfliet
July 2026
“Al meerdere keren gaan varen in 'de Pien', top ervaring! Alles goed verzorgd, Boudewijn en Nikos zijn goede en betrouwbare schippers en weten veel van Amsterdam. Ze nemen de tijd voor je, het is echt een uitje. Ook fijn dat er drankjes aan boord zijn en dat je zowel binnen als buiten kunt zitten. En dat ze zowel Nederlands als Engels spreken :). Aanrader dus, we komen snel weer terug!”
Free cancellation 48h before departure time
Change time 48h before departure time
Change guests 12h before departure time
This operator's policy: Free cancellation 48h before departure time; Change time 48h before departure time; Change guests 12h before departure time.
Yes — as a private charter, you have the boat to yourselves and can work with the captain on the route within your booked time. Celebrating a birthday or other occasion? Let us know in advance (or in the booking note) and we'll do our best to help set things up.
Each private boat has its own maximum capacity — shown on this cruise page under guest numbers. Planning something for 20 or more guests? Visit our Groups page and we'll help you find the right fit.
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.
