Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise

Amsterdam looks best from the water. This one adds a little smoke.

The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise gives you a relaxed, 420-friendly hour through Amsterdam’s canal belt, with an English or Dutch-speaking skipper, city views, and the freedom to bring your own weed. I like the easygoing mood and the chance to bring snacks, something most canal boats do not allow. The main catch is the half-open boat, which can feel cold or wet, especially at night.

You have two departure choices, and they are not interchangeable. From Central Station, you get two complimentary drinks. From Leidseplein, you bring your own drinks, weed, and snacks. That small booking detail matters, since choosing the wrong dock can spoil an otherwise simple outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Central Station includes two drinks: Beer, wine, or soft drinks are provided on the Bulldog Boat departure.
• Leidseplein is fully bring-your-own: Bring your own drinks, food, and weed from the Leidsekade 100 departure.
• The boat is half open: Pack warm clothing and rain gear, even if the weather looks fine at dockside.
• The route covers major canal views: The boat follows the old city wall, reaches the Amstel River, and passes through the Amsterdam Canal Belt.
• The cruise lasts one hour: It is a compact way to see the city, but not a long sightseeing tour.
• It is strictly 18 plus: Children are not permitted, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to motion sickness.

What this cruise is really about

This is not Amsterdam’s most formal canal tour. It is built around atmosphere. You sit on a relaxed boat, watch the canal houses slide past, listen to the skipper point out landmarks, and enjoy a smoke or drink without worrying about bothering people on a standard sightseeing boat.

That makes it a good match for you if the social side matters as much as the sightseeing. The tone is casual, friendly, and often funny. Several crew members have been praised by name, including Mia, Johan, and Giro. A captain called Ona also received warm praise for handling the boat and adapting the route.

The sightseeing still matters. Amsterdam’s canals give you a different angle on the city, with bridges, narrow waterways, old buildings, and changing views of the Canal Belt. The boat follows the old city wall and reaches the Amstel River, though the exact route can change.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is a one-hour cruise, not a full city tour with long stops or detailed commentary at every building. The guide shares facts and points of interest while the boat moves. At times, the commentary may be harder to hear, especially if the guide is speaking to only part of the boat.

Choosing Central Station or Leidseplein

The two departure points offer different experiences, so check your ticket carefully.

The Central Station option departs from the main dock in front of Central Station, connected with The Bulldog. This version includes two drinks, which may be beer, wine, or soft drinks. You can buy more drinks during the cruise, but you must bring your own food and weed. The boat does not sell smoking products or snacks.

This is the simpler option if you want to arrive with less to organize. The two included drinks add real value to a $28 ticket, especially if you would otherwise buy drinks before boarding. Central Station is also an easy place to reach if you are already arriving in Amsterdam by train or spending time near the old center.

The Leidseplein option departs from Leidsekade 100. Here, you bring your own drinks, weed, and snacks. Nothing is included, and nothing is sold on board. This can work well if you want particular drinks or food, but remember to prepare before you arrive.

Do not assume you can switch between the two docks after booking. Tickets are valid only for the departure location selected at purchase. Check the meeting point on your confirmation before setting off.

Boarding the half-open boat

The half-open design is central to the experience. It gives you broad views of the canals instead of sealing you behind large windows. That is good for photographs and for watching bridges and buildings pass close by.

It also exposes you to Amsterdam weather. The supplied advice is sensible: bring warm clothing, food, and rain gear. A cold evening on the water can feel much colder than a walk through town. One evening cruise was described as freezing, while another was praised despite rain because the guides kept the mood cheerful.

I would bring an extra layer even in mild weather. A blanket could also be useful for a late departure, though it is not listed as provided. If heavy rain arrives, the cruise may be canceled, with an automatic full refund.

The open setup can make conversation and commentary less clear. One passenger found it difficult to hear the guide at times, while another felt the guide was giving two kinds of tours at once and did not address the whole boat. If you mainly want a quiet smoke and canal views, that may not bother you. If you want a polished guided tour, it is worth keeping this limitation in mind.

Following the old city wall to the Amstel River

The route starts with Amsterdam’s old center and canal belt. The boat follows the line of the old city wall before reaching the Amstel River, giving you a broad look at the city’s waterways rather than focusing on one single canal.

Because the route may change, you should not expect a fixed checklist of named sights. The appeal is the overall sweep of Amsterdam from the water. You see the city at canal level, where bridges frame the view and the narrow passages make the captain’s work part of the show.

The captain has been praised for steering through tight sections. The handling can feel lively, with the boat moving and turning sharply in places. That adds fun for some people, but it may not suit you if you suffer from motion sickness.

The guide’s role is informal. You may hear short facts, local stories, and jokes as the boat passes points of interest. The strongest comments focus on the crew’s friendliness and ability to make the hour feel easy. Some guides have been praised for answering questions and adding funny stories, while one account found the commentary less consistent.

For the best experience, sit where you can hear the guide and stay ready for changing views. The route is not a museum lecture. It is a moving city introduction with a relaxed soundtrack of water, conversation, and canal life.

Smoking, snacks, and drinks on board

The defining feature is the freedom to smoke weed on the boat. You bring your own supply, since the provider does not sell marijuana or other smoking products on board. Amsterdam has Bulldog coffee shops nearby, but buying beforehand is your responsibility.

You can also bring and eat your own snacks. That is unusual among canal cruises and makes the outing feel less restricted. The boat has no food for sale, so pack something before boarding. The Leidseplein option also requires you to bring your own drinks.

At Central Station, the two complimentary drinks are a useful benefit. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are available, and more drinks can be purchased. If you choose Leidseplein, compare the total cost of buying your own supplies with the value of the Central Station package.

You should still be considerate of the people sharing the boat. The cruise is 420 friendly, but that does not mean every passenger will be smoking constantly. The relaxed setting works best when you respect personal space and keep your food and belongings tidy.

Why the one-hour length works

One hour is enough time to enjoy the canal setting without turning the cruise into an all-day commitment. You can fit it around museum visits, dinner, nightlife, or a longer walk through the center.

The short duration also keeps the price reasonable. At about $28 per person, the Central Station version offers good value because the ticket includes the cruise, guide, and two drinks. You are paying for the boat, the route, the atmosphere, and the service, not just transportation.

The value is less clear for the Leidseplein version if you need to buy all your own drinks, snacks, and weed. It may still suit you if that location is more convenient or if you prefer to choose your own supplies. But the included drinks make Central Station the stronger deal for many people.

An hour does mean the sightseeing is limited. If you want a detailed explanation of Amsterdam’s architecture or a longer ride into quieter waterways, choose a more traditional canal tour. If you want a compact, social outing with the option to smoke, this length is about right.

Daytime, sunset, or night?

The available starting times vary, so check the schedule when you book. The mood changes a lot with the hour.

A daytime cruise gives you the clearest look at the buildings, bridges, and canal edges. It is the practical choice if sightseeing is your main goal or if you want the best chance of hearing the guide clearly.

A sunset departure adds warmer light and a more relaxed feel. One highly praised trip combined smoking, drinks, city history, and sunset views. This may be the best compromise between seeing the canals and enjoying the evening atmosphere.

Night cruises have a special appeal. Amsterdam’s lights reflect on the water, and the city feels calmer and more cinematic. The tradeoff is temperature. Bring a serious jacket, not just something light for walking around town.

Late departures are worth checking carefully. One booking issue involved an 8:30 p.m. time that did not exist, although the crew handled the situation well. Confirm the actual start time and dock before you leave for the meeting point.

The guide makes or breaks the hour

The crew receives the strongest praise overall. Friendly service, humor, and a calm attitude appear again and again in the feedback. That matters on a small boat, where the guide is not far away and sets the tone for everyone.

Mia has been singled out for fun facts and funny stories. Johan and Giro were praised for making a cruise feel personal and informative. Another captain recognized returning passengers and took them on a different route, giving them a fresh look at Amsterdam.

The quality of the commentary can vary. Some guides give a steady stream of useful facts. Others may speak toward one group, making it difficult for people elsewhere on the boat to follow. If you are keen on the history, sit close to the guide and ask questions when there is a natural pause.

The best way to view the commentary is as a bonus, not the entire product. The main experience is the water, the city views, and the freedom to relax. The guide can make that hour memorable, but you should not book this expecting a formal lecture.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it for adults who want a casual Amsterdam activity with a clear social element. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who like the idea of combining canal sightseeing with a drink, snacks, and a smoke.

It is especially useful if you have already seen Amsterdam’s major sights and want a different angle on the center. It also works early in a short visit because one hour gives you a pleasant introduction without taking over your day.

You should think twice if you want a quiet, polished, highly structured boat tour. The boat can be cold, commentary may not always carry, and the route can change. People with motion sickness should avoid it, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. Children are not allowed, since this is an 18 plus experience.

The cruise is also a poor fit if you do not want to be around weed smoke. Its 420-friendly policy is the main reason to book, so the atmosphere is not incidental.

Practical details that matter

The provider is Elektrohaven. Tours are offered in English and Dutch, with a live guide and skipper. The cruise returns to its meeting point, so you do not need to plan separate transport at the end.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check availability for exact start times, since they can change.

Pack these items:

• A warm layer, even for an evening that begins pleasantly
• Rain gear for the half-open boat
• Your own snacks
• Your own weed
• Your own drinks if departing from Leidseplein

Do not bring children, and do not assume smoking supplies or food will be sold on board. The safest plan is to arrive at the correct dock with everything you need already sorted.

Should you book the Bulldog Boat?

Book it if you want Amsterdam canal views with a relaxed 420-friendly atmosphere. The two Central Station drinks make the $28 price attractive, and the crew’s warmth is a major part of the experience. Sunset and night rides can be particularly appealing if you pack for the cold.

Choose another canal tour if your priority is detailed sightseeing, guaranteed quiet, indoor comfort, or full accessibility. For everyone else, this is a good-value hour with a clear personality. Just confirm your departure point, bring warm clothes, and remember that the boat’s loose, social style is both its charm and its limitation.

FAQ

How much does the Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise cost?

The cruise costs about $28 per person.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts one hour.

Where does the cruise depart?

You can book a departure from the main dock in front of Central Station or from Leidsekade 100 near Leidseplein. Your ticket is valid only for the location you select.

Are drinks included?

Two drinks are included with the Central Station departure. The Leidseplein departure does not include drinks, so you must bring your own.

Can I bring my own weed?

Yes. You may bring your own weed, but the provider does not sell marijuana or other smoking products on board.

Can I bring food?

Yes. You can bring your own snacks. There is no food for sale on the boat.

Is smoking allowed on the boat?

Yes. The cruise is 420 friendly, and you can smoke on board.

What languages are available?

The live guide and skipper offer tours in English and Dutch.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

No. This is an 18 plus activity, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Children are not permitted.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, food, and rain gear. The boat is half open, so you are exposed to cold and wet weather.

What happens if it rains heavily?

The cruise may be canceled in heavy rain. If that happens, you will automatically receive a full refund.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Is the cruise suitable for people with motion sickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with motion sickness.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.