Amsterdam Canal Boat tour recommendations

We just did one the other day with Those Dam Boat Guys. It was fantastic - small boat only 10 people. They'll go pretty much where you want. The boat captain is easy to talk with and is a great source of local recommendations. You can bring along snacks, wine beer, or smoke - it is very low key. They do ask the smokers to sit in the back so others are not down wind of them. It was a great way to experience Amsterdam.

We used Blue Boat because they were the closest to where we were staying. We got the combo ticket with the Rijksmuseum admission and saved a couple euro. I'm not even sure which tour we took - we booked one and when we got on, it was almost full and nowhere for me and my husband to sit together, so we got off that and they put us on a diff one - it went down towards the Rijks, but there was bridge work going on, so it had to turn around and go a diff route. About 2/3rds of the way thru, it stopped at the diamond exchange (I believe it was) and 98% of the boat got off - I think there were 8-10 left on the boat. A small tour (as mentioned in the above reply) - sounds like a lot more fun. Commentary was via headphones and a 'canned' speech. It wasn't bad and certainly gave us views of Ams from the canals...

I have done this 4 times over the base 55 years, twice in the last 10 and frankly they are pretty much the same. I'd just pick the one that is convenient to where you are. This is something that doesn't need planning, just go when you feel like it and the weather is what you prefer for this type trip. I once got locked out of an apartment accidentally and my husband was not due back for several hours so rather than fume, I just walked until I found a dock with tours and took a canal cruise; it was easily done and a lovely way to while away that particular afternoon.