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

Amsterdam by canal is always good. This one adds a smoke-friendly twist and a laid-back boat vibe right from Central Station.

What I like most is the half-open boat feel, so you actually see the canal belt up close, not just through windows. I also like that the crew keeps it friendly and fun while still sharing enough city context to make it more than scenery.

The main catch is that it is not for everyone. It is not suitable for under-18s, and if you get motion sick, the boat ride is a gamble.

Quick highlights before you go

• Original Bulldog Boat: the cruise that helped start the whole smoke-friendly canal idea in Amsterdam
• Central Station departure: board right in front of Amsterdam Central, with 2 complimentary drinks
• 420-friendly cruising: bring your own weed, smoke while you float
• Main sights route: follow the Old City Wall onto the Amstel River and hit the canal belt highlights
• Half-open boat: great for views, but dress for wind and cold
• Guides with jokes and facts: names you might hear include Roman, Rebecca, and Fred, plus their teams

What the Bulldog Boat Cruise feels like in real life

This is a 1-hour canal cruise built for people who want Amsterdam the “chill” way. You’re not stuck in a stiff tour format. Instead, you light up (if you’re bringing your own), grab one of the included drinks, then settle into a relaxed glide through the canal belt.

What makes it interesting is the combo. You get the classic Amsterdam canal sights, but you do it on the only kind of cruise where smoking is part of the experience, not something handled like a side quest. And because the boat is half open, you feel like you are part of the city, not sealed inside it.

You should go in with the right expectations. This is not trying to be an art museum lecture. It is more like a guide who mixes city pointers with humor, while the boat ride does the heavy lifting.

The route: UNESCO canal belt highlights, Old City Wall, and the Amstel River

Your cruise follows a pretty clear story line through the city. You start in the center and your route moves along the old city defenses, the Old City Wall, then heads onto the Amstel River.

That matters, because “Amsterdam canal cruise” can mean a lot of different routes. Here, the goal is to show you the canal belt highlights in about an hour, not to spend that hour getting lost in out-of-the-way waterways. Late in the day, you may finish at Leidseplein instead, which can be convenient if you are planning an evening out after the boat.

Also, routes can shift by departure time. People who do this more than once tend to notice different paths across the day. So if you have more than one evening in Amsterdam, doing another time slot can feel like a new walk through the same neighborhood.

Central Station boarding: the spot that reduces stress

Most canal cruise mishaps are not about the boat. They are about finding the boat.

Here’s how to make this easy. You depart right in front of Amsterdam Central Station, on the side with tram stops 13 and 17. You’ll see stairs leading down to the water, and the boat is on that side, not the side of Victoria Hotel.

Look for the crew by a blue beach flag. That visual marker is your friend when you’re cold, jet-lagged, or both. And if you use maps, use Google Maps, not Apple Maps, to find The Bulldog Boat Central Station.

One more practical tip: arrive 15 minutes early. It keeps the whole start of the trip smooth, especially if you’re meeting the group for the first time.

Smoking policy and how the cruise handles it

This cruise is BYO. You can bring your own weed, and you can smoke on board. The boat does not sell marijuana, so you do the purchase part yourself ahead of time.

The important part for your planning is that the area around Central Station has Bulldog Coffee Shops, so you can handle things before you board. The experience is designed so you do not have to run around mid-ride.

There’s also a “vibe” component. Smoking is not treated like a tense rule. The tone across guides is relaxed, with the crew tending to keep everyone comfortable. People describe guides as both chill and still informative, which is exactly what you want on a floating hour where you’re paying attention to canals and chatting.

Drinks and the snack strategy

From the Central Station (The Bulldog) departure, the cruise includes 2 drinks. If you start from Leidseplein, drinks are not included, so plan accordingly.

Since weed and alcohol are involved, snacks matter more than people think. The boat allows you to bring and eat your own snacks, and that is a real quality-of-life detail. You’ll enjoy the ride more if you are not doing a “drink on an empty stomach” sprint through a windy canal.

Also, keep it simple. Bring snacks you can eat without making a mess. Think easy finger food, not anything that needs plates and time. And if you want to maximize comfort, pack a small layer for after you cool down on the half-open boat.

The boat and weather reality: half open means plan for cold

This is a canal cruise on a half open boat, which is part of the charm. You get better sight lines and that fresh air feel.

The downside is also obvious: wind and cold can hit fast, especially on evening departures. Reviews mention freezing weather and still having fun, which suggests you can do it, as long as you dress for it like you mean it.

Bring:

• Warm clothing
• Rain gear (Amsterdam weather has a talent for surprise)
• A camera (the canal lighting is great, especially later in the day)
• Food if you want to snack on board

If you’re deciding between a daytime slot and a night slot, night cruises often look more magical because of canal lights. Just remember your outfit has to handle the chill.

The guides: funny, relaxed, and surprisingly helpful

A standout theme is how the crew balances humor with useful city facts. People specifically call out the guides as knowledgeable while also keeping the tone light and comfortable.

You may hear guides like Roman and Rebecca, and some departures have had Fred plus his assistant. One of the best parts is that the crew answers questions in a way that feels casual, not like you’re interrupting a lecture.

What you should take from this as a reader is simple. You will get enough context to understand what you’re seeing, but you won’t be dragged through a rigid script. That’s what makes the hour feel short, even when you’re out there in winter gear.

Timing: how sunsets and night lights change the experience

There are a lot of Amsterdam canal cruises. The real difference usually comes down to timing, and this one is no exception.

If you book a departure around late afternoon or early evening, you can catch a sunset on the canals. That kind of light makes bridges and facades look softer, and the ride feels extra scenic.

For later evening departures, the canal belt often looks stunning because of night lights. One review specifically recommends taking it at night for the glow.

Also note that the last tour can finish at Leidseplein. If you’re heading out after the cruise, that can be a smart way to end your evening rather than returning to Central.

Price and value: what $35 buys you

At $35 per person for a 1-hour cruise, the value depends on two things: drinks and your priorities.

If you depart from Central Station, you get 2 complimentary drinks. Even if you only drink one, that included value helps offset the ticket price. Then you add the fact that this is a smoke-friendly experience, which is a rare category in Amsterdam canal tourism.

If you’re comparing mentally, most canal cruises do not match the smoke-friendly part of the offer, and many are built for a more traditional sightseeing-only vibe. Here, you’re paying for a combined experience: canal views plus a relaxed atmosphere.

One small caution on cost planning: additional drinks can be purchased, and snacks are on you. If you like having several drinks or you forget snacks, your total spend can climb.

Who should book this cruise, and who should skip it

This tour is a great match if you want:

• A relaxed, social hour on the canal belt
• Smoking as part of the experience (BYO rules are clear)
• A boat that feels more open and less boxed-in
• A guide with a mix of humor and helpful context

It’s not a match if:

• You are under 18
• You have motion sickness (this one is explicitly not suitable)
• You use a wheelchair (not suitable)
• You want a quiet, classroom-style history lecture

If you’re traveling with friends who like to unwind, or you want a fun first night plan that gets you canal-buffed without a long commitment, this is a strong pick.

Should you book the Bulldog Boat Smoke-Friendly Cruise?

Book it if you want the canal belt plus a laid-back, smoking-friendly atmosphere, and you’re starting from Central Station to take advantage of the 2 included drinks. Dress for cold, arrive early, and bring the snacks you actually want.

Skip it if you need a non-smoking environment, have motion sickness, or want a strictly formal sightseeing tour. In that case, you’d probably be happier with a standard canal cruise.

FAQ

Can I smoke weed on the boat?

Yes, the cruise is smoke-friendly and it’s BYO. The information you’ll want to remember is that marijuana is not sold on board.

How many drinks are included?

If you depart from Amsterdam Central Station (The Bulldog), the cruise includes 2 drinks. If you depart from Leidseplein, drinks are not included.

Where exactly do I meet the boat at Central Station?

You depart right in front of Amsterdam Central Station, on the tram stop side with lines 13 and 17. The boat is not on the side of Victoria Hotel. You can recognize it by the blue beach flag, and there are stairs leading down to the water.

How long is the cruise, and when should I arrive?

The cruise lasts 1 hour. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your departure time.

Is this cruise suitable for motion sickness or wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for people with motion sickness and it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What should I bring for the cruise?

Bring warm clothing, a camera, food and rain gear. The half-open boat can feel chilly, even when the city is nice.