Thinking about choosing the Lovers canal cruise when booking a canal tour of Amsterdam?
This guide and review have everything you need before booking!
Amsterdam and The Netherlands as a whole are simply breathtaking. One of the many reasons for this is the Canals.
No matter how many canals you see on your trip, you will not be able to get enough. Each one with its own story and magical bridge, it’s truly a unique destination to visit.
So when visiting Amsterdam, it goes without saying that one thing you need to do is a Canal Cruise.
As we have just moved to The Netherlands, we thought we would treat ourselves and book an evening canal tour with Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam.
To help you decide if this cruise is for you, this guide includes our personal review and experience of choosing this tour.
We have also included any information you may need before booking your tour and what to expect so you can have the best experience of Amsterdam’s Canals!
🚨 If you want to do lots of activities in Amsterdam including Canal Cruises, BUYING A CITY PASS will work out cheaper!
Don’t have time to read the whole article?– No worries!
🏆The best overall canal cruise you can do in Amsterdam is Sebi Boat Tours
✔️2 hours long
✔️Local Guide with snacks and drinks included
The Lovers Canal Cruise Amsterdam Overview & Personal Review
🇳🇱Quick Summary: No- I would not recommend an Amsterdam Canal Cruise with the Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam company. I would instead book mine with Sebi Boat Tours every time!
The Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam overview:
⭐️Rating: 3.5 Out Of 5 (59 Reviews)
Pros
✔️ Easy to book tickets
✔️ Many time slots available throughout the day
✔️ Friendly and helpful staff
✔️ Boat is undercover so you can tour no matter the weather
✔️ Toilet on board
✔️ Multiple languages available through headphone audio- including English
✔️ Boarding location easy to get to and find
✔️ Great if you are on a budget
Cons
❌ May not be able to do the tour at the time you booked
❌ No food or drink was provided
❌ A lot of the sites you would expect to be spoken about were missed
❌ Headphones are not very comfortable to wear
❌ As it’s inclosed, it may be uncomfortable on hot days if it’s busy
My Experience Of Booking This Tour
So we were really excited to explore the canals via the Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam company. The great thing with their booking system online is you can see which times are busy, and book a less busy time slot.
The process of booking was really easy too and the tickets arrived in my email inbox within minutes!
We were only visiting Amsterdam for the day and our one-hour boat trip was meant to be at 20:30 Hours.
We had spent the entire day exploring the city and were pretty tired but knew we had to keep going as we had our cruise time slot booked.
To be prepared we decided to show up at the boarding point at 20:10 PM. So this was 20 minutes earlier than our time slot.
As we scanned our tickets we were told that both boats were full for the 20:30 time slot 🙃
This is one thing I didn’t like about this canal cruise in Amsterdam, booking your ticket in advance during the summer months doesn’t always guarantee you a spot!
We were told to wait for the next boat with a few others who had booked their ticket for 20:30. But we were only allowed to board if there was enough room on there for us.
As this was the main activity I wanted to do when in Amsterdam and I had purchased my tickets months in advance, I was gutted!
However, the staff on site were amazing and super helpful.
The Tour Itself
Luckily we managed to get on the last canal cruise of the day to see Amsterdam by boat, but not everyone else did!
I would recommend booking the Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam just to see that sunset!– but I have been on much better canal tours in Amsterdam
TIP: The Lovers Canal Cruise is amazing value for money but if you are visiting during busy periods (Christmas and Summer), book your slot early.
Despite our inconvenience at the start of our canal cruise experience, it was a very informative and enjoyable experience.
The staff and Captain were really friendly and it was a great way to learn about the City and see things only a local would know about.
Lovers Canal Cruise Amsterdam Alternatives
The Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam is a good option -but it isn’t the best canal cruise available!
Cruising down the canals is a unique experience so you may want to make your trip a bit more luxurious, informative and a one-off experience.
To help you find the best canal tour to explore the sites of Amsterdam, these are the best tours you should consider:
Sebi Boat Tours
⭐️Rating: 5 Out Of 5 (102 Reviews)
This Canal Tour has only 5-star reviews so as you can imagine, tickets sell out fast!
One of the most loved Canal cruise options for travellers visiting Amsterdam is Sebi Boat Tours
You get to see all the sites of Amsterdam including Anne Franks House, the old centre and Amsterdam’s most famous bridge.
This tour also includes snacks and drinks (which is rare), so you can really enjoy the journey!
✅ Book Your Canal Cruise With Sebi Boat Tours Now!
Did some searching before purchasing this boat tour (since there are so many). It was absolutely wonderful! Sebi was friendly and knowledgeable. He provided us with drinks and cold and hot appetizers. I can’t say anything about the other tours (because this is my only one), but book this one! You won’t be disappointed. The highlight of my time in Amsterdam”
– Molly (read more reviews here)
Flagship Luxury Sightseeing Canal Tour
⭐️Rating: 5 Out Of 5 (Over 2,710 Reviews)
This is a fantastic option if you are on a budget.
And like any canal tour in Amsterdam, I highly recommend booking in advance online to 100% guarantee you get to do one- There is no better way to see the city!
If you are looking for a budget-friendly alternative to the lovers canal cruise Amsterdam, look no further than the Flagship Luxury Sightseeing Canal Tour!
Not only is it great for a summer canal cruise to enjoy the sites, but is one of the best cruises to take photos from thanks to its open top.
It is also perfect for touring the canals of Amsterdam in winter too!
For anyone wanting to see The Amsterdam Light Festival, this is the best tour to book.
You can choose from 2 departure points in central Amsterdam – Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank House which is super convenient.
The boat tour is around an hour and the staff really try to make this experience the best!
✅ Book Your Flagship Luxury Sightseeing Canal Tour Here!
Our tour guides were super kind, and very informative! The boat seats were comfortable. I’d highly recommend touring!
– Devin (Read More Reviews)
There are so many canal cruise options throughout Amsterdam, here are some other options you may want to consider:
Do I need to book the Lovers Amsterdam canal cruise in advance?
If this is something you really want to do on your trip, I recommend booking in advance.
If your trip is in Europe’s summer season (June-early September), it’s a good idea to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
However, like myself and other travellers who were with me, you may want to arrive at your time slot extra early to avoid disappointment.
For those who are travelling outside the peak season or are feeling spontaneous, there is a ticket and information office there.
How long is an Amsterdam canal cruise?
Each canal cruise is different, but typically they are between 1-2 hours.
The length of your canal trip will depend on what is included in the tour.
If you are doing your canal cruise with more budget-friendly options like the Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam, their tours usually last one hour.
Lovers Canal Cruise Amsterdam discount code
For those booking the Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam, use a discount code. Like most City breaks, Amsterdam isn’t the cheapest location so every penny counts!
The best way to find a discount code is to check Hot Deals before booking your ticket.
Can You take a canal cruise with Lovers Cruises with your City Card?
You can totally use your City Card to board a tour with Lovers canal cruise in Amsterdam.
Simply turn up at the ticket office on Prins Hendrikkade 20C to book your time slot. Just make sure you present your City Card at the time of booking.
What is the Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam cancellation policy?
Plans change, it happens!
If you have booked directly through the lover’s canal cruise, you need to go to their website for their terms and conditions on rebooking and cancellation.
➡️ Go To The Lovers Canal Cruise Amsterdam Cancellation Page Here
However, I do recommend using an external company like Viator to book. They are really good at refunding tours and showing you the best tour options available during your trip.
if you want a full refund for your canal tour, you need to cancel your booking at least 24 hours in advance with most booking parties.
Lovers canal cruise Amsterdam final thoughts
Booking a canal trip is a great gift for someone you know visiting the Netherlands or an amazing way to explore the City yourself.
This Canal trip offers a great budget-friendly tour around the magical canals of the City.
However, this tour may not be for everyone. And would I book the lovers canal cruise Amsterdam again? No
Use this guide to explore the best canal cruise options in Amsterdam so you have the best experience on Amsterdams waters!
For an all-round unforgettable tour of the canals flowing around Amsterdam, book with Sebi Boat Tours
⛵ Book Your Canal Cruise With Sebi Boat Tours Here Today!
I hope you found this article useful for deciding if the lover’s canal cruise in Amsterdam is for you.
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Lowri Thomas is the founder of Many Other Roads. She lives and travels in Europe and has explored more than 40 countries. She is joined on her travels with her dog Scout and they explore Europe mostly by road. Born in Wales, she also shares the best things to do in Wales, UK and beyond. She helps over 50,000 people per month plan epic Europe adventures and road trips.
