Tips for renting a salon boat

Keep these tips in mind when you start planning a boat trip in Amsterdam.
If you want to rent a salon boat in Amsterdam soon, read the following tips carefully. Of course, there are always a few things you should take into account when renting a boat. Because you naturally want the nicest boat, with the atmosphere that suits you at a suitable price. There are a lot of providers in Amsterdam and sometimes it is difficult to find the right salon boat. We have listed the most useful tips.

Preparation for a boat trip

Sailing through Amsterdam is popular. There are now more than 500 boats in Amsterdam. How do you find the right provider among all these ships? A trip through Amsterdam is not cheap. The intention is that you have a fantastic experience. We will help you make the right choice.

Google with premeditation

Google makes an excellent selection based on your keywords. Choose your keywords carefully. Would you like a private boat trip with a skipper? Then enter this as well. For example, on Canal Cruise Amsterdam you will receive significantly different offers than on Private Canal Cruise Amsterdam

Compare the right prices

Ship owners in Amsterdam opt for a different price structure. Some shipowners opt for a price per hour where catering can be ordered separately. Other shipowners opt for a price per person. Comparing carefully is worthwhile. Cheap can turn out to be expensive.

Know where to rent a ship

Amsterdam has many boat tour providers. There are resellers, booking websites, event organizers, boat booking agencies and ship owners. The shipowners generally offer the best prices and the shortest lines of communication. Want to change something at the last minute? Then booking directly with a shipping company is the best solution.

How long/short can a trip last?

Many shipping companies choose to offer a minimum sailing time of two hours. Experience shows that this duration of a trip is also necessary to be able to offer a relaxed trip. There are also shipping companies that offer short water taxi trips.

What about bringing your own catering on board?

A salon boat is comparable to a small event location. This means that in most cases the entrepreneur is also dependent on beverage income. Agreements can be made with some shipping companies about (partly) own catering. You may be charged a corkage fee or cleaning fee. Ask about the conditions before the tour.

What about the sailing routes in Amsterdam? Are these fixed? Or can we determine the route ourselves?

If you rent a private tour boat, the sailing routes are generally not fixed. When boarding you can indicate where you would like to sail. If you have no inspiration, you can ask the skipper for suggestions. The skipper often knows the nicest spots and also ensures that the trip ends on time at the agreed location. Would you like to plan the tour yourself? Then take a look at the sailing route suggestion.

What about the weather? Can I cancel the tour if it rains?

Ask clearly in advance whether the ship you want is covered or open or whether this can be adjusted on site. Ships that can be covered can in principle sail in any weather condition. Open ships sometimes offer the option to cancel in the event of rain. This is certainly not standard, so put it in writing.

Inquire about the boat’s facilities before the trip

You have wishes regarding the facilities on board during a boat trip. Discuss this clearly in advance:

• Is there a toilet on board?
• Is there service on board?
• What is the number of sitting/standing places
• Is the ship covered?
• Can the roof and windows open/close?
• Is there a possibility for music on board?
• Can disabled people easily board?
• Can elderly people easily get off and on board

Changing a booking

A shipping company must hire staff and order catering in a timely manner. It is therefore useful to discuss in a timely manner how many guests will be on board and what the catering wishes are. In general, a booking can be adjusted up to a week before the start. Better sooner than later.

What about getting on and off?

There are many boarding and disembarking locations in Amsterdam. Take a good look at where your guests are coming from. Parking in the old city center is becoming increasingly difficult and can also be expensive. Public transport is becoming more attractive every day with rising parking rates. There are also good parking facilities outside the center. Please note that some shipping companies charge advance and return costs if the embarkation and disembarkation point is outside the center.

On the day of the Canal Cruise

Be accessible

Make sure we have your mobile phone number and make sure you also have the skipper’s number at hand. If you have an unexpected question, you can always reach the skipper.

Agree clearly where and what time you want to start

Both with the Shipping Company and all the people who come along on the trip. If we have to wait for one of the guests, this unfortunately affects the sailing time.

Be accessible

Make sure we have your mobile phone number and make sure you also have the skipper’s number at hand. If you have an unexpected question, you can always reach the skipper.

Always follow the skipper’s instructions

The skipper is responsible for the boat and all its passengers. Therefore, always cooperate with the skipper if he asks for it, there is often a lot of traffic on the Amsterdam canals and together we must ensure that it remains fun and safe

Clear communication on board

The person who books is in principle the point of contact for the skipper. We often receive requests regarding the route, stopping points and the like. For the sake of clarity, it is nice (especially if the group is a bit larger) to have this done via the person who also made the booking.