Lovers – Wine & Cheese Cruise – review

You’re never short of amazing sights when you’re experiencing Amsterdam from a boat. The city’s historic canals, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, coupled with Amsterdam’s iconic bridges and buildings, make a canal tour a must-do for visitors. For cheese and wine enthusiasts, there’s no better way to experience the charm and beauty of the city than on the Lovers Amsterdam Cheese and Wine Cruise.

This 90-minute cheese and wine cruise in Amsterdam is a mix of culinary delights and beautiful sights… and is a whole lot of fun!

Come aboard one of Lovers’ most popular cruises for a sightseeing trip like no other.

– Book your cruise with our exclusive discount code ‘THINGSTODO10’ and get 10% extra off –

On each table, there’s a range of delicious cheese

There are five varieties of wine to choose from

About Lovers

Lovers Amsterdam offers a variety of amazing canal tours that showcase the city’s beauty and charm. From the classic 1-hour cruise to great cheese and wine tastings like this one, each experience promises fun and a look at some of the city’s landmarks. Whether you’re after a special experience with your partner, or a fun time out with your bridal party, you’ll find a Lovers cruise for you.

What you need to know

The cheese and wine cruise Amsterdam leaves from the Lovers Dock near Amsterdam Central Station at Prins Hendrikkade 20B. You can arrive earlier and have a cuppa or snack before your cruise departs in the Lovers Cafe, right by where the boats depart.

The boat is closed, which is useful with Amsterdam’s unpredictable weather, so you can enjoy a cruise any time of the year. There’s also heating, so you’ll always be comfortable whatever the temperature. Winter is also a special time for a cruise, especially in December and early January where you can see Christmas lights. You can also catch the Amsterdam Light Festival, which usually takes place for the whole of December and most of January.

The ride is 90 minutes long, and you get a variety of wines and cheese to choose from. There’s free WiFi on board, and departure times might vary depending on the season. Check the Lovers site for more information on dates and times. Check-in is 15 minutes before departure, and there’s free WiFi on board.

Boarding: the fun begins!

As you step aboard the comfortable boat, you are greeted by a friendly captain and crew and shown to your table. The interior is cozy yet spacious, and large windows give unobstructed views of the canals.

The music is on (at a very comfortable level), the crew starts pouring wine, guests start tucking into their cheese boards, and the excitement is high.

The Amsterdam wine and cheese cruise is great for couples and groups

Beautiful Amsterdam views

Lovely white and rosé wines

There are also nuts, fresh rolls and bottled water on each table

The route

The Amsterdam cheese and wine cruise follows a scenic route through some of the city’s most picturesque canals and historic landmarks. Route highlights include:

Central Station (starting point)

The cruise begins near Amsterdam Central Station, a stunning neo-Renaissance building and one of the main transport hubs in the Netherlands,

Western Canal Belt

The boat travels through the western part of the Canal Belt, passing the trendy Jordaan district, known for its narrow streets, shops, restaurants and cafés.

Anne Frank House

You’ll go past the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank and her family hid for two years during World War II. This historic site is one of Amsterdam’s most-visited museums.

Westerkerk

The magnificent Westerkerk, a church near Anne Frank House, with a towering spire that offers panoramic views over Amsterdam.

The Nine Streets (de Negen Straatjes)

The Nine Streets comprise nine narrow streets that connect the main canals to Jordaan.

The Amstel River

The cruise goes in the Amstel River, where you’ll be able to see the iconic Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug), a beautiful white wooden drawbridge that is particularly beautiful at night.

Hermitage Amsterdam

On the banks of the Amstel, you can see the Hermitage Amsterdam, a museum and a branch of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.

The Golden Bend (Gouden Bocht)

The cruise goes through the upmarket Herengracht canal, known as the Golden Bend, one of the most-visited canals in Amsterdam. Take note of the beautiful homes in this area.

Seven Bridges and Fifteen Bridges

You’ll stop at these two iconic spots. Seven Bridges is the point from where you can see seven consecutive bridges lining the canal in a row. The Fifteen Bridges is the spot from where you can see 15 bridges across various canals.

The captain shares great Amsterdam insights and landmarks with the passengers

The crew is attentive and friendly, and one even taught us how to say “cheers” in Dutch (it’s “proost”)

Pretty Amsterdam views, past iconic buildings and houseboats

From the cruise, you can spot the 15 Bridges, which connect the major canals of the canal belt

The culinary experience

A highlight of the Lovers Amsterdam Cheese and Wine Cruise is of course, the cheese and wine. There are five varieties of Dutch cheese: goat’s, baby Gouda, baby Gouda with chilli herbs, baby Gouda with truffle and olive oil, and baby Gouda with garlic, nettle and onion. Accompanying the cheese are rolls and an assortment of nuts and fruit.

Complementing the cheese are five different wine varieties, selected to suit a range of palates. The wines include chardonnay, sauvignon blank, rosé, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. You’re welcome to try them all – the friendly crew go up and down the boat ready to top up your glasses.

At every corner or turn, there’s a picture-perfect sight

A view of the Blue Bridge

The 7 Bridges in Amsterdam is a picturesque alignment of seven consecutive bridges over the Reguliersgracht canal

– Book your cruise with our exclusive discount code ‘THINGSTODO10’ and get 10% extra off –

Our experience

From the moment we embarked, the scene was set for a fun and relaxing experience. The crew was accommodating and friendly, and the captain shared not only great landmarks and sites, but also some interesting facts about Amsterdam. Did you know, for example, that there are more bikes than people in Amsterdam?

There’s music from the 80s and up, and while it adds to the vibe, it doesn’t feel like a party where you can’t hear your partner talking. In fact, this felt like being in a restaurant, relaxing over some great food, wine and conversation, and in this case, magnificent views.

The Lovers Cheese and Wine Cruise is as suitable for couples as it is for groups – it’s not strictly one or the other. We noticed some couples being seated with other couples and mingling with each other, but we were happy to have a table to ourselves and enjoy some time together.

While it was grey and chilly outside, we were comfy inside and felt protected from all the elements, including the 15 minutes of unexpected rain. The boat is enclosed, but you can open windows for fresh air and take pictures.

This Amsterdam wine and cheese cruise was a memorable experience, and a really special way to experience the city.