Vaartuig
5
Full view
About
We are a married couple that live in Amsterdam with our three kids. We love this city and have lived most of our lives in Amsterdam but also love to travel. We like to find special places or experiences, our selves. We're just not interested in large touristy happenings. And that is what we offer as well. Cozy intermate cruises through the canals of a magical city. Personal anecdotes, historical facts, hotspots, local places etc. on our lovely boat 'Zavi'.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Why book with Vaartuig
- Captain or skipper
- I'm a teacher but the love of my city is personal
- English
- Professional tour guide
Similar Experiences
Travelers talk about
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
260 reviews
Excellent
252
Very good
5
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
2
AmyKinPhX
New City, NY74 contributions
Feb 2023
My friend and I enjoyed a private cruise with Brian and it was excellent! We had seen the commercial canal cruises but wanted something less crowded and structured. Brian was responsive to our requests, funny, friendly, smart and a wonderful host. I highly recommend using Vaartuig and bypassing the typical cruise for something magical.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyages4plaisir
19 contributions
Jun 2022
Booked the private meal cruise and it was worth every penny. We had a lovely evening cruising the canals with Brian as he identified points of interest and gave some history and background to bring it all to life.
Food was fabulous and plenty of wine to sip as we cruised. Really can't recommend this highly enough - book it you won't regret it.
Food was fabulous and plenty of wine to sip as we cruised. Really can't recommend this highly enough - book it you won't regret it.
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happy Kiwi
2 contributions
May 2022
Proposed to my partner on this cruise, I was extremely nervous, because I've never been to Amsterdam before, and this was all booked online. Brian put my mind at ease immediately, with his laid back, friendly, and calm demeanour. The cruise was fantastic, informative, and it's clear the Brian loves Amsterdam, and what he does. Of course, my partner said Yes! Thank you Brian, for an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend Vaartuig, you will not be disappointed.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ra
2 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Two months ahead my group of friends and I are looking forward for a boat kingsday party. Brian & mathilda were communicating well, we settled to go for 1st trip on King's day for the price given. I'll like to wrap it up already but mathilda said they will do it a month ahead the King's day. Today, I received a message that they "sold" their company so our kingsday reservation is canceled. However, upon checking their webpage everything etc, it is still open to operate. I got a feeling that they sold a higher price elsewhere the trip we book and just cancel us.
BTW, I noticed that negative comments are deleted here too. So beware readers.
BTW, I noticed that negative comments are deleted here too. So beware readers.
Written March 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ali B
1 contribution
Oct 2020
We had a very nice tour. Mathilda and captain Brain helped a lot about surprise I prepared for my wife.
During corona times, they did their best, came with alternative solutions and ideas. Everything is well communicated upfront. I asked special flowers from them on board and they did their best to find. I will do that once again definitely...
During corona times, they did their best, came with alternative solutions and ideas. Everything is well communicated upfront. I asked special flowers from them on board and they did their best to find. I will do that once again definitely...
Written October 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow, thank you for the compliments. Love to hear you had great time. Kind regards, Mathilda
Written August 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carol Z
San Diego, CA20 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We found Brian’s name from a list of recommendations on another site. Am I glad we gave it a try! Brian’s boat is cozy and comfortable and can navigate some of the smaller bridges that the larger boats can’t. There were 6 guests on the tour and we had loads of room. Brian was enthusiastic and entertaining. He had old maps of Amsterdam and explained how it has changed over its history. He was kind and thoughtful, like a friend showing you around. I can not recommend this tour enough! Thanks, Brian!
Written July 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate your review. Kind regards, Mathilda and Brian
Written July 30, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rupert Gunstone
2 contributions
Aug 2020
Very informative relaxed cruise. Lots of information from an enthusiastic local. The boat has some roof which was great as it was a very hot day so nice to spend some time in the shade. Another great point - the boat is electric!!. No noise, and no fumes.
Phone Sat-nav to start point proved problematic - check out on a real map before setting off and look out for a shiny black boat with green detail.
Phone Sat-nav to start point proved problematic - check out on a real map before setting off and look out for a shiny black boat with green detail.
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wauw, great that you like the Zavi so mutch.
Kind regards, Mathilda
Written August 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kai G
Amsterdam, The Netherlands19 contributions
Jan 2020
We have been done several cruises already with Captain Brian & Crew. Definitely the best in Amsterdam and I can highly recommend them.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Super bedankt! Vriendelijke groeten, Mathilda en Brian
Written February 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
frw23
Wien, Österreich5 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
If you want to see important parts of Amsterdam, see a little Amsterdam off the tracks and get some interesting information in a relaxed and non crowded boat, then you have to go with Best Canal Cruise Amsterdam on the cosy boat Zavi!
Written July 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the kind review. Good to read you loved our lay-back vibe. Kind regards, Mathilda
Written January 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kai G
Amsterdam, The Netherlands19 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
We have been on two trips with "Vaartuig" already and we will definitely be doing more.
Whenever we have friends visiting us here in Amsterdam, we do a boat tour and this one is simply the best.
Great Boat, best Sailor, best Guide, and the best experience.
Brian is not the typical boring boat tour guide but gives you insights into Amsterdam.
We can highly recommend Brian and Mathilda -- Vaartuig!
Enjoy!!
Whenever we have friends visiting us here in Amsterdam, we do a boat tour and this one is simply the best.
Great Boat, best Sailor, best Guide, and the best experience.
Brian is not the typical boring boat tour guide but gives you insights into Amsterdam.
We can highly recommend Brian and Mathilda -- Vaartuig!
Enjoy!!
Written July 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Kai, thank you for your nice compliments! Kind regards, Mathilda and Brian
Written July 9, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience