Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke-Friendly Cruise & 2 Drinks

The canals look best after dark. Amsterdam’s Bulldog Boat gives you a relaxed one-hour cruise through the canal belt, with room to smoke your own weed, bring snacks, and enjoy two included drinks from the Central Station departure. I like the friendly guides and the half-open boat, which lets you see the city without feeling sealed indoors. The main drawback is simple: the ride lasts only an hour, and the open design can feel cold or wet.

This is not the cruise for a detailed lecture on every building. It is a social, easygoing outing with city views, casual commentary, and a distinctly Amsterdam setting. Guides including Roman, Rebecca, Fred, and others are praised for being funny, welcoming, and ready to answer questions, though the amount of history can vary.

Key points to know before booking

• Two drinks are included from Central Station: More drinks can be purchased, but bring your own snacks and weed.
• The boat is half open: You get clearer canal views, but warm clothing and rain gear matter, especially outside summer.
• The one-hour route covers major waterways: Expect the Old City Wall area, the Amstel River, and parts of the UNESCO-listed canal belt.
• Evening departures have extra atmosphere: Sunset and city lights are frequent highlights, especially on the later sailings.
• The final departure ends at Leidseplein: Other departures leave from and return to the Central Station area as specified by the operator.
• It is for adults only: The cruise is not suitable for children under 18, people with motion sickness, or wheelchair users.

Starting beside Amsterdam Central Station

The meeting point is right in front of Amsterdam Central Station, on the water side with the stairs leading down toward the boats. Do not use the side facing the Victoria Hotel. Look for the blue beach flag, and use Google Maps rather than Apple Maps, since the directions can otherwise lead you astray.

You should arrive 15 minutes before departure. That buffer matters in this part of town, where the station, tram stops, bicycle traffic, and canal paths can make a short walk take longer than expected.

The nearby tram stops include numbers 13 and 17, but most people staying in central Amsterdam can reach the station on foot. The departure point is useful if you are fitting the cruise into a first afternoon in the city. You can finish the ride with an easy walk toward the historic center, restaurants, or the Red Light District.

At the Central Station departure, you receive two drinks. The supplied information does not specify the exact drink choices, so check on arrival. You can buy more on board, but the boat does not sell marijuana. Bring your own weed if you plan to smoke, and bring your own food as well.

What the half-open boat feels like

The half-open design is central to the experience. You are not looking through a sealed coach window. You get direct views of bridges, canal houses, passing boats, and the water close to the hull.

That openness is wonderful in good weather. It also explains why warm clothing and rain gear appear on the suggested packing list. Several people enjoyed the cruise even in rain or freezing conditions, but that does not mean cold weather disappears once you sit down. In winter, dress as if you are spending an hour outdoors.

The boat has been described as clean, comfortable, and well organized. The crew also receives praise for helping people feel at ease, including those who were cold at the back of the boat. Still, comfort will depend partly on the weather and where you sit.

If you are sensitive to motion, take the warning seriously. Canal water is usually calmer than open water, but this activity is specifically marked as unsuitable for people with motion sickness. Wheelchair users should also choose another canal cruise, as this boat is not listed as wheelchair accessible.

The first part of the route: old walls and city edges

Once underway, the route follows the old city wall area before continuing toward the Amstel River. This gives you a quick look at how Amsterdam’s waterways helped shape the city.

The commentary is delivered in English or Dutch by a live guide. Guides such as Roman, Rebecca, and Fred have been singled out for humor, warmth, and useful facts about Amsterdam. The tone is informal. You can ask questions, listen to the running commentary, or simply watch the city slide by with a drink in hand.

The amount of historical detail may not satisfy someone looking for a formal architecture tour. One person found the facts limited, while many others felt the guides offered a good mix of information and jokes. I would treat the commentary as a pleasant extra rather than the sole reason to book.

The route can change during the day. One repeat rider noted that different hosts took different paths, revealing new parts of Amsterdam on a second visit. That makes the cruise slightly less predictable, but it also means the ride is not necessarily identical every time.

Reaching the Amstel River and canal belt

The Amstel is where the city’s water setting becomes especially clear. From the boat, you see Amsterdam from a low, relaxed angle rather than from a busy street. Bridges frame the view, canal houses rise close to the water, and the movement of the boat gives you a calm break from walking.

The cruise also enters the UNESCO World Heritage canal belt. The supplied details refer to the main highlights rather than naming each individual canal or building, so you should not expect a fixed checklist of landmarks. Instead, think of this as a broad city overview with changing views.

That is useful early in a visit. You can spot areas you may want to explore on foot later, and you get a sense of how the canals connect. It is also a good option when your legs need a rest but you still want to see Amsterdam.

The boat’s smoking policy changes the mood compared with a standard sightseeing cruise. You may smoke your own weed on board, eat your own snacks, and have a drink while listening to the guide. The crew does not sell weed, so plan that part before you arrive. The tour description points out that several Bulldog coffee shops are nearby, but it does not include marijuana in the price.

Why evening sailings are especially appealing

The 5pm departure has been praised as a good way to catch sunset. Later sailings, including the final departures around 8pm or 9:30pm as listed, can show Amsterdam under canal lights. The last tour finishes at Leidseplein, which is handy if you want to continue your evening there.

Night is not automatically better for everyone. You may see fewer architectural details than in daylight, and the open boat feels colder after sunset. But the lights reflecting on the water add something that a standard daytime ride cannot provide.

If you want photographs, daylight gives you clearer views. If you want a relaxed date-night atmosphere or a gentle start to an evening, choose a later departure. Bring a camera, but protect it from rain and remember that smoking and photography can be awkward at the same time in a compact boat.

The guides make or break the hour

The strongest part of this cruise is the crew. People repeatedly praise the guides for being friendly, funny, and easy to talk with. Roman is named several times, and Rebecca is mentioned as part of a particularly well-liked team. Fred also receives warm praise for making people feel welcome.

The best reports describe commentary that mixes Amsterdam facts with humor. The crew may point out places along the route, answer questions, keep drinks moving, and help the group settle into the boat’s laid-back mood. One particularly useful detail is that the guide and captain may work together, with both contributing to the atmosphere and local information.

There is some variation. One person felt the guide could offer more facts, while another said there was not much history but plenty of good vibes. That is fair. The experience is designed around relaxation and smoking, not a serious lesson in Dutch urban history.

I would book this if you want a human, conversational tour. If you prefer recorded commentary, precise historical detail, or a quiet boat with no social energy, a conventional canal cruise may suit you better.

Is $35 good value for one hour?

At $35 per person, the value depends on what you want from a canal ride. A one-hour cruise is short, but you receive the boat trip, a live guide, and two drinks when departing from Central Station. You can also bring your own weed and snacks, which keeps extra spending under your control.

The price is easier to justify if you plan to use the cruise as a first look at Amsterdam. You get a city orientation, a scenic break, and a social activity in one hour. The value is less convincing if you mainly want a long sightseeing tour or a detailed explanation of every canal house.

The two drinks matter because they reduce the immediate cost on board. Do not assume they include unlimited drinks. More can be purchased, but the supplied details do not give prices or quantities.

The cruise also avoids one common expense: you are allowed to bring your own snacks. That is a small point, but useful if you are spending a full day in the city and want something casual rather than a formal meal.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This outing suits adults who want a relaxed, social way to see Amsterdam from the water. It works particularly well for first-time visitors, couples, friends, and people who want to include smoking as part of their canal experience.

You will probably enjoy it if you like:

• Casual commentary rather than a formal lecture
• Canal views with a drink in hand
• A small-group, friendly atmosphere
• Sunset or nighttime city scenes
• The freedom to bring your own snacks and weed

You may want another tour if you are traveling with children, use a wheelchair, get motion sickness, or want a strictly historical presentation. You should also think twice if cold weather bothers you, since the half-open boat gives you less shelter than a fully enclosed vessel.

The experience is not presented as a family activity. Everyone must be at least 18, and the smoke-friendly setting naturally makes it more adult-focused.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

Arrive 15 minutes early, especially if you are unfamiliar with Central Station. Find the water-side stairs and the blue beach flag before your departure time rather than trying to locate the boat at the last minute.

Bring layers. Even a pleasant day can feel cooler on the water, and evening departures need extra warmth. Rain gear is a better choice than hoping an umbrella will be enough on a compact boat.

Pack food if you want it. The boat lets you bring snacks, but it does not sell them. Bring your own weed as well, since none is sold on board. If you choose a departure from Leidseplein rather than Central Station, the supplied information says drinks are not included, so check the exact departure option when booking.

Use Google Maps for the Central Station meeting point. The operator specifically warns against Apple Maps for this location.

Keep your expectations in the right place. You are booking one hour, not an all-day cruise. The route includes important canal-belt sights, but the exact path can vary, and the commentary may be more entertaining than academic.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Amsterdam schedule is still changing.

Availability and starting times vary, so check the date you want rather than assuming every departure runs at the same hour. The listed duration is one hour, although one account says a ride ran slightly over that time. Treat the official one-hour duration as the safe planning figure.

Should you book the Bulldog Boat?

Book it if you want a casual, smoke-friendly canal cruise with two drinks, a half-open boat, and guides who bring humor to the hour. The strongest reasons to go are the friendly crew, the chance to see the canal belt from the water, and the relaxed freedom to bring your own snacks and weed.

Skip it if you want an enclosed boat, a long route, or a detailed history lesson. Also skip it if you are under 18, use a wheelchair, or are prone to motion sickness.

For most suitable adults, $35 is a fair price for a scenic hour with drinks included at the Central Station departure. Choose an evening sailing for sunset or canal lights, dress warmly, arrive early, and you will understand why this has become one of Amsterdam’s most popular smoke-friendly boat outings.

FAQ

How long is the Bulldog Boat cruise?

The cruise lasts one hour.

Where does the boat depart?

The boat departs in front of Amsterdam Central Station, on the water side with stairs leading down to the canal. Look for the blue beach flag and do not use the Victoria Hotel side as your landmark.

What drinks are included?

Two drinks are included when you choose the Central Station departure. Additional drinks can be purchased on board.

Can I bring my own weed?

Yes. You can bring your own weed, but marijuana is not sold on the boat.

Can I bring snacks?

Yes. You can bring and eat your own snacks on board. Food is not included, so pack what you want before departure.

Are drinks included from Leidseplein?

The supplied information says drinks are not included if you choose departure from Leidseplein.

Where does the final tour finish?

The final tour, listed at 8pm or 9:30pm, finishes at Leidseplein.

What languages are spoken?

The live tour is available in English and Dutch.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

No. The cruise is not suitable for children under 18.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users. It is also not recommended for people with motion sickness.