Big Boat Party

Imagine a high-end nightclub, but floating on the water with the skyline of Amsterdam passing by. The Big Boat Party is a private event rental for large groups (100 to 600+ guests) where the focus is on celebration. It includes a private ship, a professional crew, an open bar, and the freedom to turn the vessel into your own personal dancefloor.

Yes, completely. A regular canal cruise travels through the small, quiet canals on smaller boats. The Big Boat Party takes place on large, multi-deck ships that cruise the wider waters of the IJ River and the harbor. This allows for higher capacity, louder music, and a true “festival” atmosphere that isn’t possible in the residential canal ring.

Absolutely. Music is the heartbeat of a boat party. Our ships are equipped with professional sound systems and designated spaces for a DJ booth or a live band. You can bring your own DJ, or we can book one of our resident Amsterdam DJs to keep the energy high.

Because we cruise on the wider waters (the IJ and near the harbor), we have much more freedom with volume than boats in the city center. While we still respect local regulations, you can definitely pump up the volume enough to get everyone dancing.

Yes. Our party ships are designed with flexible layouts. We can clear the furniture to create a large central dancefloor, often with club-style lighting to set the mood as the sun sets over the water.

The standard package usually includes a Dutch Bar (unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks). However, for a real party vibe, we recommend upgrading to the International Bar, which adds spirits (vodka, gin, rum, whiskey) and mixers. We can also set up a dedicated cocktail bar with professional shakers.

Yes, it is important to keep guests fueled. For party cruises, we recommend “social food” that is easy to eat while standing or mingling—think walking dinners, luxury bitterballen, burger stations, or late-night pizza snacks. We can tailor the catering to match the party theme.

This is our largest capacity option. We can host intimate parties for 100 guests up to massive corporate festivals for 300+ people. For very large groups, we can even link multiple boats or create a fleet experience.

Yes! You can brand the interior with balloons, banners, and company logos. We have had clients transform the boat into a tropical tiki bar, a neon 80s disco, or a chic white party. Let us know your theme, and we can help make it happen.

Safety is our #1 priority. The ship is manned by a certified captain and professional crew. We also provide security personnel for large events to ensure everything runs smoothly. The railings are high and secure, and life jackets are on board (though we plan to keep everyone dry!).

No need to worry—these large ships have ample restroom facilities (multiple toilets and urinals) similar to what you would find in a land-based venue. They are cleaned and maintained throughout the event.

Yes, the Big Boat Party is spectacular at night. The Amsterdam Light Festival (in winter) or the illuminated skyline and passing ferries create a magical backdrop. We can sail until late in the evening (usually docking around midnight or 01:00, depending on the specific harbor rules).

We typically depart from the Ruijterkade (behind Central Station) or other large docks on the IJ. These locations are easily accessible by public transport and have taxi drop-off points, making it easy for guests to arrive in their party outfits.

For very large groups (e.g., a combined bachelor event with 80+ people), yes. However, for smaller stag groups (10-20 people), we usually recommend our Private Booze Cruise on a smaller sloop, which is more intimate and cost-effective. The Big Boat is best for big crowds.

Party planning requires details. Please fill out the inquiry form on the Flagship Events page with your date, guest count, and desired vibe (e.g., “Corporate Summer Party” or “Product Launch”). Our event team will respond with a custom proposal including ship options, drink packages, and entertainment ideas.