Amsterdam Boat Cruises
Welcome aboard The Hyacinth
I am Marco. As skipper mainly on The Hyacinth my mission is not just to show you Amsterdam, but to let you feel it. Since May 2022, I have been taking guests through our beautiful canals with one goal: to give them a memory for life.
A small note for life on board: Captain Marco guides live in Dutch, English and German. The German tries very hard, but occasionally still needs a life jacket.
For me, a canal cruise is only truly successful when you step off with a smile, a good story and the feeling that you have seen Amsterdam from its most beautiful side.
01 | The boat
The Hyacinth
The Hyacinth is one of the newest vessels in the Amsterdam Boat Cruises family. She was built in Lemmer in 2025 and then fitted out at the shipyard of parent company Rederij van Hulst in Katwijk. She was christened in Amsterdam on 23 April 2026.
The boat is an Amsterdam canal type, built for around 80 passengers. She is fully electric, finished with mahogany and beautifully varnished. Thanks to the lower floor, the vessel feels more spacious than many other canal boats, especially if you are a little taller.
- Year built2025
- Capacity80 passengers
- PropulsionFully electric
- Cruising timeUp to about 9 hours on one charge
The whole ABC family:
The Rose The Tulip The Hyacinth The Sunflower*02 | The craft
Skipper in Amsterdam
For me, sailing is more than safely steering a vessel. It is about creating a moment of calm in the bustle of the city. While I steer The Hyacinth through the tight bends and narrow bridges, I really enjoy seeing how the city changes through your eyes.
Nothing is better than the smile that appears when we enter the Golden Bend, or when you discover the dancing houses for the first time. My day is complete when I see you forget the everyday worries for a moment and let yourself be fully immersed in the magic of Amsterdam.
03 | From the water
Amsterdam is still at its best from the canals
Along the way, I like to tell you about the houseboats on the Prinsengracht, the Golden Bend, the Skinny Bridge, the dancing houses, Waterlooplein and the floating restaurant Sea Palace.
One of my favourite views is the National Maritime Museum, with the replica of the VOC ship 'Amsterdam' moored in front of it. But the most beautiful moments often come from you: a question, a memory or someone who says afterwards that this cruise made the trip special.
A memory
Why I do this
What makes my work so special are the stories of the people on board. I once had an elderly couple from the United States on board. They had not been to Amsterdam for fifteen years and had saved up to celebrate their wedding anniversary on board with me. Hearing how my small contribution made their trip complete truly touched me. It is those small, sincere moments of connection that I do this for. I am proud that, as your skipper, I may be a small part of that memory.
Guest comments
Comments after the cruise
Have you sailed with us and would you like to leave something behind? Your comment is first sent to me and will only appear on the site after I have read and approved it.
Photos
Stories in pictures
A few impressions of The Hyacinth, the build, sailing and Amsterdam from the water. Click an image to view it larger.
Thank you
Buy me a coffee
Did the cruise give you a beautiful memory? Via Buy me a coffee you can leave a little appreciation, completely without obligation. Booking canal cruises is done through Amsterdam Boat Cruises.