FAQ: Cruise

PRACTICAL

Where can I purchase cruise tickets?

In our ticket shop.

What kind of cruise experiences do you offer?

• Canal Boat: these are the large canal boats with glass windows and roofs. On board, you will hear the artwork information via the amsterdam light festival audio guide.
• Open Boat: these are big open sloops, where the skipper or guide tells you all about the artworks. There are blankets to keep warm.
• Boat incl. Drinks: you will be seated on a partly covered boat, while enjoying unlimited drinks along the way.
• Private/Group Boat: this category consists of different boat companies with their own USPs. You can make a request with one of them directly.
• Festival App: if you have your own boat, you can use our Festival App, which not only contains the route and artwork descriptions/audio, but also the nautical rules (these are adjusted during festival hours!)

What are the departure times?

Cruises depart every 30 minutes, between 4.30 and 9.30 p.m. In our ticket shop you can find the actual departure times.

What is the duration of a cruise?

Cruises take about 75 min. Blue Boat and Amsterdam Boat Cruises take 10-15 min bit longer due to their departure locations.

How many people fit on a boat?

This really depends on the type of boat: canal cruise boats usually have a capacity of 60 to 80 persons. Open boats and historic boats can fit somewhere between 12 to 50 people. With a private cruise you can decide on the number of people yourself.

How long before departure should I be present?

You are expected to be present at the departure location 15 minutes in advance.

Can I go on another date than the one stated on my ticket?

No, you have booked a ticket for a specific date and time slot. It is only possible to go there and then. You can make changes up to 24 hours before departure.

Where do I go on board?

Departure locations differ per boat company. Please find the departure locations in our ticket shop.

How do I make sure a boat company is an Official Partner of Amsterdam Light Festival?

Official partners can be recognized by the 'Official Partner logo’, see below. Next to that, there are festival flags on the departure jetties and most boats have recognizable stickers/flags. Book a ticket via our ticket shop if you want to make sure you’re cruising with an Official Partner that takes you past all the artworks.

CRUISE EXPERIENCE

What will I get to see on a cruise?

The route consists of 27 unique artworks, which you will pass by or sail underneath. You also have spectacular views of the Amsterdam canals by night.

How do I get to know about the artworks?

On canal boats the audio guide will be played via speakers or headsets, sometimes a guide will tell the stories. On all other types of boats there is an enthusiastic guide present (or the skipper will guide you).

Is it possible to cruise with my own boat?

Yes, it is. With our festival app you can purchase the route map, with all artwork information. The app also contains the nautical rules, which are adjusted during the festival, due to increased traffic on the water. The app can be downloaded soon. NOTE: a part of the route is forbidden for unmotorized vehicles.

Can I experience the route by SUP/rowing boat/canoe?

Yes, it is, but please note two things: (1) a part of the route is prohibited for these types of boats, (2) we strongly advise against visiting the festival on busy days (weekends and holidays). You can find all the nautical rules and measures in the app and on our website (the latter coming soon).

ON BOARD

Are the boats heated?

Most canal, historic, and partly open boats have heating on board. Open boats have blankets available. Check the specifications in our ticket shop.

Isn’t an open boat too cold in winter?

No, but in case of extreme cold, the boats can be (partially) covered. There are always blankets on board, making the cruise still very much enjoyable.

What about (unexpected) extreme weather conditions?

It is almost always possible to sail on the canals. If a cruise cannot take place, the cruise company will get in touch with you directly to reschedule.

Is there a guide on board?

On board the open boats and historic boats there is a live guide and/or skipper who tells all about the artworks. The canal cruises have the official festival audio guide on board.

What languages are available?

The audio guide on the canal cruises is available in Dutch, English and German. Check with the boat companies in the ticket shop what is offered. Guides/skippers can speak both Dutch and English.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

This is unfortunately not allowed on board any boat.

Is it possible to purchase snacks and drinks before or during the cruise?

This is possible with most boat companies, either on the dock or on board.

Can I hop off during the cruise?

No, this is not possible. The route is set and takes about 75 minutes, stopping will cause delays and traffic jams. The cruise will begin and end at the same location.

Are there toilets available?

Most canal boats have toilets on board, most open boats do not. Check the specifications with the boat company.

Are there life vests on board?

Yes, every boat has life vests. There are also special vests for children.

Are there wheelchair accessible boats?

Yes, Blue Boat Company has some wheelchair accessible boats. Contact them a day before your cruise, so they can inform you about the times. Blue Boat can be reached via +31 206791370.

Am I allowed to bring my dog on board?

Only a few boat companies allow this. Check the website of the boat company to see their policy or contact the company directly via the contact information provided on your ticket.

Can I bring a stroller?

This is not possible with most cruises. Please check with the boat company for details.

Can I become seasick on a cruise?

That is very unlikely. The boats cruise through the canals of Amsterdam, where the water is usually very calm.

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