Evening cruise in Amsterdam

Sorry I can't can't help with your question, but I would like to offer my congratulations on the 50th Anniversary.

The main drag (Damrak) ends at Centraal Station. Head that way, but don't cross the bridge. Instead, hook a left and walk northwest a hundred yards to the next bridge. You'll see a bunch of cruise boats. The kiosk to one outfit has a board with types of deals they offer. One of them is a wine and cheese cruise. I don't remember the name of the company (it might be Red......(something)) or the price, but I think it was pretty steep, maybe fifty bucks. Obviously I haven't done it.

This cruise specifically mentions wine and cheese: http://www.hir.nl/en/candlelight-cruise The canal that runs through the middle of the red light district is too small for the large tour boats. Only smaller private boats can "squeeze" through.

The two I am most familiar with are across the Amsterdam Centraal Station. One is Rederji Lovers Cruise, the other is Holland International. Look up their web sites and they will give you choices including the evening cruises. I believe one is a candlelight with wine the other is cocktails with maybe snacks. The "Red" cruise does not go through the Red light district as another poster mentioned, just the cruise name. There are also cruises available from somewhere else in the city proper but I am cannot recall the names or location. The lights over many of the bridges are not lit from November 1 to March 30th, not that big of a deal as there is lots to look at. I have day cruised; evening/night cruised; almost every season and have enjoyed Amsterdam the neighborhoods and canals every time.

"...The "Red" cruise does not go through the Red light district as another poster mentioned..." I didn't claim the "red" tour went through the RLD. In the original question, Susie indicated that she didn't want a boat that went through the RLD....I was merely pointing out that none of the tour boars can fit through those small canals...so it was a moot point.

Found it. The others are on the Rokin near the Muntplein and others are near the Leidseplein, which may run limited hours off season. I would also recommend contacting the hotel you are staying in Amsterdam and ask them for suggestions and recommendations. Have a good time. Hopefully I will be there this spring.

Thanks for the help and congratulation wishes. We leave in 6 days! Can't wait!

We did this canal cruise (a few years ago) called the "Amsterdam by Candlelight" and the website is:
http://www.rederijkooij.nl/en/specials.html To say it was a magnificient evening would not be an understatement! The boat and scenery are so beautiful, even my teenage children loved it. I thought the price was very reasonable for the experience, and there were plenty of wines, cheese, snacks, water bottles and crackers. The tour goes through many canals and the harbour as well, and it passes by a floating chinese restaurant which I also recommend- the food was fantastic!, the library, and many other sites. I know you will enjoy it. We did purchase tickets online, but we had the boat almost to ourselves (July evening). I do not think you will need to do this, just get them the day you decide to do it. This is a memory of Amsterdam that will surely last for many years. Congratulations on your "50th" Anniversary :)

We took the Candlelight Cruise last year and loved it. It departed from the location that others are describing, just in front of the train station. Our boat docked at the RLD and we went on a walking tour of it, then returned to the boat. The Captain stays on the boat while you're gone so you can leave things in your seats. there was a bottle or Red and a bottle of White, plus cheese, crackers, and a zesty nut mix sitting at our table as we arrive on board the boat. Definitely worth it IMO.