What to expect
The Cloud Boat departs from Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, located in the famous Red Light District of Amsterdam. The easiest way to navigate to the departure point is to first go to Dam Square and then follow the Damstraat (located directly behind the monument) towards the Red Light District. You will see the departure point directly on your left when Damstraat intersects with Oudezijds Voorburgwal. There will be hosts to welcome you at the designated departure point. Please arrive a bit before departure time, as the canal tours in Amsterdam are on a tight schedule and can’t wait for you to depart. If you miss the tour, you can request a rescheduling, but it’s not guaranteed.
The friendly crew will welcome you aboard the comfortable boat. In our case, we visited in the fall, and the boat was covered to protect it from the rain. However, we were lucky enough to have some sunshine, so our female crew partially opened the cover to ensure the best views. The boat is perfectly prepared to welcome blazers. It features everything a smoker can wish for: rolling trays with smoking papers and tips, complimentary mineral water to combat a dry mouth, and candy in case the munchies kick in. All of this is included in the ticket price. Optionally, you can choose to top off your experience with an ice-cold soda or beer at an additional charge.
The vibe on the boat was really relaxed; it’s a genuine stoner vibe that reminded us of an Amsterdam coffeeshop, where everybody just sits back and enjoys their smoke. The crew consisted of a hostess and a captain, who were very accommodating. The hostess was a smoker herself and could even help you out in case you didn’t know how to roll up.
What sets the Cloud Boat apart from other 420-friendly cruises is the fact that it’s guided with live commentary from the hostess. During the cruise, she would share a lot of fun facts, insights into the city, as well as some knowledge particularly tailored to a stoner audience. The fact that this specific crew were “cannaseurs” themselves helped them understand their audience well! Therefore, there was also considerable interaction between the crew and the passengers.