Amsterdam Jewel Dinner Cruise: A Diamond level experience

I had read on TripAdvisor about Jewel Dinner Canal Cruise while I was exploring things to do in Amsterdam. So I booked it in advance because there are limited availability. In order to make it we would have to skip the ship welcoming dinner and Crew introductions with Captain social. So glad we did.

So we took the Dam tram to the Dam square to catch our Dam boat. Well.... There really is a Dam Square which is where the Palace is and was the closest stop to where we need to get to the Singel Canal. The canal ship is a beautiful wooden boat built in 1916 and restored. We were early and first to board so we had a nice private window table up with the Captain. We were welcomed with a nice glass of champagne and a plate of nuts and olives. The boat only holds a maximum of 20 diners. 

Once boarded we cruised the canals of the old city and had drinks while they took our dinner orders. It is a three course dinner and there was a meat, fish, and veg choice both for dinner and appetizer.  They call the order in to a restaurant that they are teamed with and soon we dock to pick up the appetizers. We cruise for a short time and return to the restaurant and the main course and dessert is picked up and served. 

The process is while we are docked the Captain (Theo) would leave the ship taking the used plates across the street to the resaurant and returning with a stack of about seven plates on a unique carrying  frame. Back and forth he would go while the hostess would serve and clear. Mind you the ship is very tight and it has a verry narrow beam. The back half of the ship is served and we are enjoying our wine when all of a sudden we hear this horrindous restaurant sound crash. We look outside and the Captain  has slipped at the curb and dropped the next set of dinner plates which includes ours. Fortunately the Captain is not injured but severely embarressed. This delays our departure but it is amazing what a great job the restaurant does in replacing quickly our remaining dinners. 

Dinners were delicious. i had fillet which was done perfectly and Joan had Salmon which said was excellent. We continue to cruise the canals and now some of the more modern parts of the city. The Dutch leave their drapes open so as we cruise through the canals it is like getting a glimpse into the life of the locals. 

This canal cruise was outstanding and it has made our Friday a terrific joy with the early cruise, the visit to the Van Gogh Museum and the capper this canal night time dinner cruise. Tomorrow early morning we leave for Hourn and our first cruise on the river.