Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise

REVIEW · AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise

  • 4.71,879 reviews
  • From $28
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Operated by Elektrohaven · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.7 (1,879)Price from$28Operated byElektrohavenBook viaGetYourGuide

A smoke-and-booze canal cruise changes the vibe fast. This is the Amsterdam canal trip built around 420-friendly relaxing on the water, with a real guide and classic canal-belt scenery instead of just partying.

I like that you can keep it personal: the cruise lets you bring your own weed and snacks (no selling on board). I also like the built-in choice of departure points—Central Station includes 2 drinks, while Leidseplein is BYO for drinks too.

One thing to consider: the boat is half open, so cold or rain can make the hour feel longer than you expect. Dress for wind off the canals and you’ll be happy you did.

Key points to know before you board

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - Key points to know before you board

  • Two departure docks: Central Station (The Bulldog) vs Leidseplein (Leidsekade 100)
  • BYO weed and snacks on both options, with no weed sold aboard
  • 1 hour on the water, guided in English (and Dutch as well)
  • Open-boat feel means you’ll want warm layers even on mild days
  • Guide-led facts plus laid-back cruising—the pacing works best when you can hear clearly
  • Price usually feels fair because Central Station includes two drinks

Two departure docks, two different ways to pay for your drinks

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - Two departure docks, two different ways to pay for your drinks
This cruise is simple, but the details matter because there are two distinct options. Pick the right one when you book, because tickets are only valid for the departure location you choose.

  • Central Station (The Bulldog) option: you get 2 complimentary drinks included with your ticket. You still bring your own weed and snacks.
  • Leidseplein option (Leidsekade 100): it’s BYO everything for drinks and weed, plus snacks. No complimentary drinks here.

Why this matters: if you want less thinking on the day, Central Station is the easier call—two drinks are a built-in buffer against the awkward moment of realizing you forgot something. Leidseplein works well if you’re already stocked and want to control your own drink choices.

Also, note the boat leaves from the main dock in front of each area. Don’t show up at the wrong canal-side entrance and assume it can be swapped.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Amsterdam.

The half-open boat experience: great views, real weather

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - The half-open boat experience: great views, real weather
The cruise runs on a half open boat, which is part of what makes it feel like a proper canal stroll. You get better air and more of the canal-side atmosphere than a fully enclosed boat, and it’s easier to hang out near the back where people tend to relax.

The catch is the Dutch weather. Even when the city feels comfortable on land, the water can bring wind. If you’re on an evening slot, bring a warm layer. One recurring theme from the experience is how cold it can get out there, especially when you’re standing or sitting near the back of the boat.

What I’d pack (and what the tour asks you to bring):

  • warm clothing
  • rain gear
  • food (since there’s no food on board)

And a practical tip: bring something easy to eat without making a mess, because the whole vibe is meant to be casual and comfortable.

Smoking and sipping rules: what you can bring, what you won’t find onboard

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - Smoking and sipping rules: what you can bring, what you won’t find onboard
This is a 420-friendly cruise, and the rule set is straightforward: you can smoke on the boat, but the provider does not sell weed or other smoking products.

So think of the boat as a delivery system for views and vibes, not a shop.

  • Marijuana: bring your own if you want it
  • Weed sales: none on board
  • Snacks: bring your own snacks (this is one of the main reasons people love the setup)

If you’re used to Dutch coffee shops, this feels different. The cruise doesn’t replace that ritual—it adds a new setting where you can enjoy the canals at a slower pace.

The route: UNESCO Canal Belt plus Old City Wall and the Amstel

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - The route: UNESCO Canal Belt plus Old City Wall and the Amstel
You’re cruising the Amsterdam Canal Belt, a UNESCO World Heritage area, and the route is built to show you the recognizable sections that make Amsterdam feel like Amsterdam.

The cruise follows the Old City Wall and then heads onto the Amstel River. In plain terms: you’ll get classic canal-belt angles and the broader “waterway city” feel you can’t see from street level.

A small but useful detail: the tour may take different routes. That’s not a marketing line—it’s something you can actually feel on the day. One guide even adjusted the route to show a different slice of Amsterdam for people who’d come on another time slot. So if you’re in Amsterdam for multiple days and want variety, this flexibility can be a nice bonus.

How the guide experience really works on board

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - How the guide experience really works on board
You’ll have an English-speaking skipper/guide (Dutch is also available), and the tour is designed as a narrated cruise rather than just a sightseeing loop.

From the feel of the experience, the best version of the tour is when you can hear the guide clearly while you relax—people tend to enjoy the combo of:

  • calm water time
  • casual onboard atmosphere
  • history and point-of-interest talk

That said, there’s a real-world constraint: you’re on a moving boat, sometimes in wind. A common caution is that hearing the guide can be spotty at moments. If you care about the facts, pick a position where you’ll catch the voice.

Guide personalities can also change the vibe. Names that came up include Mia, Johan, Giro (spelling may be off), and a captain referred to as Ona. The consistent pattern: guides who are funny and friendly tend to make the hour feel easy.

What you actually get for $28: one hour, but with value levers

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - What you actually get for $28: one hour, but with value levers
Let’s talk money in a way that helps you decide.

At $28 per person, this is not a budget street tour, but it also isn’t priced like a full-day private outing. The value comes from three levers:

  1. It’s a one-hour canal cruise through the main areas people come to Amsterdam for
  2. You can bring your own weed and snacks, so you’re not stuck paying for extras you don’t want
  3. If you choose Central Station, you get two complimentary drinks included

So if you’re doing this option, the price starts to feel more like: you’re buying the boat time and guide narration, while drinks (and your own snack/weed choices) are handled your way.

If you choose Leidseplein, you’re paying for the cruise and guide, and covering your own drinks. That can still be a good deal if you were going to buy drinks anyway—or if you prefer specific drinks and flavors.

Big picture: this is good value when you want the water views plus the casual 420-friendly format. It’s less of a slam dunk if your priority is a quiet, lecture-style history tour with perfect audio.

Best timing: day vs night is really about comfort

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - Best timing: day vs night is really about comfort
The cruise can run at different times, and people often talk about nighttime vibes, mainly because Amsterdam’s canals feel different in the dark—especially under city lights.

But here’s the practical tradeoff: night usually means colder wind. If you pick an evening slot, plan your outfit like you’re going outside in a stiff breeze for an hour. The half-open design amplifies that.

If you want maximum comfort, earlier departures often feel warmer on the body—even if the city lighting is less dramatic than a night cruise.

Who this cruise suits (and who should skip)

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - Who this cruise suits (and who should skip)
This experience is built for adults who want a social, relaxed canal hour with an option to smoke.

It works well if:

  • you want classic canal-belt views without doing a full-day itinerary
  • you like a casual atmosphere and don’t mind sharing the boat space
  • you value the ability to bring your own snacks and weed
  • you’re okay with dressing for wind

It’s not a great match if:

  • you have motion sickness (the boat is moving and the ride isn’t described as gentle in that way)
  • you need wheelchair access (it’s noted as not suitable for wheelchair users)
  • you’re traveling with kids (it’s 18+ and unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed)

If you’re unsure, think about what you want from Amsterdam that day: calm and floaty with some freedom, or a tightly paced sightseeing lecture. This leans toward calm and floaty.

Practical tips to make your hour smoother

Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise - Practical tips to make your hour smoother
A few small things will make a big difference.

1) Dress for cold wind

Even if the day is sunny, bring warm layers and rain gear. This is an open-boat situation.

2) Eat before you arrive—or bring simple snacks

There’s no food on the boat, but you’re allowed to bring your own. Choose easy-to-hold snacks that won’t create a mess.

3) Don’t worry about weed sales

The cruise doesn’t sell weed. Plan your supply through Amsterdam’s normal channels before you meet up.

4) Pick a seat where you can hear

Audio can be uneven, especially if the guide is speaking to different parts of the boat at once. If you care about the facts, sit where you’ll catch the narration.

5) Be exact about your dock

Central Station and Leidseplein are different starts. Double-check which option you booked so you’re at the right main dock.

Should you book this Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise?

Book it if you want a one-hour Amsterdam highlights cruise with a laid-back, adult 420-friendly format and the freedom to bring your own snacks and weed. The Central Station option especially feels like strong value because your ticket includes two drinks.

Skip it if you want a quiet, perfectly audible, lecture-style history experience, or if you’re sensitive to motion or the cold. Also skip if mobility needs are a concern, since it’s noted as not suitable for wheelchair users.

If you match the vibe, this is one of the more memorable ways to experience Amsterdam: you get the city’s signature waterways, a guided route, and an atmosphere that stays relaxed instead of stiff.

FAQ

How long is the Amsterdam Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise?

The cruise lasts 1 hour.

Where do I meet for the cruise?

You meet at the main dock in front of Central Station or at Leidseplein (Leidsekade 100), depending on which option you booked.

Are drinks included?

Only the Central Station (The Bulldog) departure includes 2 complimentary drinks. The Leidseplein departure requires you to bring your own drinks.

Can I bring my own weed?

Yes. You can bring your own weed, and the cruise is 420 friendly.

Does the provider sell weed on board?

No. The provider does not sell weed or smoking products on board.

Can I bring snacks?

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

What languages is the guide in?

The live guide/Skipper provides narration in English and Dutch.

Is smoking allowed during the cruise?

Yes, smoking is allowed on the boat. You just need to bring your own smoking items, since nothing is sold on board.

Is this tour suitable for children?

No. It’s an 18+ tour, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Is it suitable for wheelchair users or people with motion sickness?

It is not suitable for wheelchair users and it’s also not suitable for people with motion sickness.

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