TRANSPORT
Amsterdam
by Boat:
Many of Amsterdam's
canals were filled in around the start of the 20th century, mainly
for sanitary reasons. The remaining waterways are still pretty filthy,
but there's nothing like seeing Amsterdam by boat - just keep your
eyes up and don't trail your eating hand wistfully in the water.
Amsterdam becomes even more picturesque from a duck's perspective:
the houses look impossibly higgledy-piggedly, leaning, looming and
jostling on both sides of the canal; bridges arch over the water,
some of them opening for tall water traffic; and you get to spy
on all those magnificent houseboats, ranging from restored barges
overflowing with tomato plants and cats peeking from the portholes
to sleek purpose-built 'arks' with feature windows and sundecks.
There are numerous
tourist boats doing the rounds, and it's also possible to rent a
pedal boat, if you're feeling energetic. Of course, if the canals
freeze over in winter, the boats get stuck and there's skating to
be had. Amsterdam frozen over is a wonderful place: the locals dust
off their ice skates, children and dogs scramble around, and vendors
sell hot chocolate, glühwein and soup. Watch out for thin spots
in the ice, especially under bridges and at the edges: people die
under the ice every year.
Boat
Tours
Best of Holland
Damrak 34
Cruises depart from Rederij Lovers landing stage, opposite Centraal
Station, Old Centre: New Side
Phone: +31 (0)20 623 1539
Tram 4, 9, 16, 20, 24, 25.
Open 8.30am-11pm daily.
Cruises Day cruise approx every 30min 10am-5pm daily.
Candlelight cruise (reservation required) summer 9pm daily; winter
9pm Wed, Fri, Sat. Duration Day cruise 1hr. Candlelight cruise 2hrs.
Credit cards: AmEx, MC, V. Departs
Holland International
Prins Hendrikkade 33A
Cruises depart from opposite Centraal Station, Old Centre: New Side
Phone: +31 (0)20 622 7788
Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25.
Summer cruises every 20min 9am-6pm, every 30min 6-10pm daily. Brunch
cruise (reservation required) 11am Sat, Sun.
Candlelight cruise (wine & cheese; reservation required) 9.30pm
daily.
Dinner cruise (4-course dinner; reservation required) 8.30pm daily.
Winter cruises approx every 30min, 10am-6pm daily.
Brunch cruise 11am Sat, Sun.
Candlelight cruise 8pm daily.
Dinner cruise 7pm Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat.
Duration: Day cruise 1hr. Brunch cruise 3hrs. Candlelight cruise
2hrs. Dinner cruise 22hrs.
Credit cards: AmEx, MC, V. Departs
Lindbergh
Damrak 26, Old Centre: New Side
Phone: +31 (0)20 622 2766
Tram 4, 9, 16, 20, 24, 25.
Day cruise Mar-Oct every 15min 10am-6pm daily; Nov-Apr every 30min,
9am-4pm daily.
Dinner cruise 7.30pm daily. Candlelight cruise (wine & cheese)
9pm daily (May-Oct); 9.30pm Wed, Fri, Sat (Nov-Apr).
Duration: Day cruise 1hr. Dinner cruise 2hrs. Candlelight cruise
2hrs. Credit cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V. Departs
Lovers
Prins Hendrikkade, Old Centre: New Side (opposite 25-27), by Centraal
Station
Phone: +31 (0)20 622 2181
Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25.
Day cruise every 30min, 9am-6pm daily.
Dinner cruise (reservation required) 7.30pm daily.
Candlelight cruise (reservation required) 9pm daily.
Duration: Day cruise 1hr. Dinner cruise 22hrs. Candlelight cruise
2hrs.
Credit cards: AmEx, MC, V. Departs
Rondvaarten
Kooy
BV Rokin, Old Centre: New Side (opposite No.125), at corner of Spui
Phone: +31 (0)20 623 3810
Tram 4, 9, 16, 20, 24, 25.
Cruises Mar-mid Oct every 30min 9am-10pm daily. Mid Oct-Feb every
30min 10am-5pm daily.
Candlelight cruise Apr-mid Oct 9pm daily.
Duration 1hr. Candlelight cruise 2hrs.
No credit cards.
Boats
to Rent
Canal Bike
Weteringschans 24, Grachtengordel: East
Phone: +31 (0)20 626 5574
Open Summer 10am-9.30pm daily. Winter 10am-6pm daily.
Moorings:
Leidsekade at Leidseplein, between Marriott and American Hotels;
Stadhouderskade, opposite Rijksmuseum;
Prinsengracht, by Westerkerk;
Keizersgracht, on the corner of Leidsestraat.
No credit cards.
Aemstelland
Rederij
Amstelland Rederij Herengracht 158
1016 BN Amsterdam
Phone: +31 (0)20 422 9222
Fax: *31 (0)20 423 2836
Email: info@aemstelland.nl
Organise boat tours for small groups on a tailormade basis.
Useful Resources
Scheepsrecht
We organize boattrips in and around Amsterdam in a very
relaxed way. Our passengers say what they want to see.
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