Birthday · private sloop with skipper
Birthday party on a boat in Zwolle
The trouble with a birthday in a pub is that your guests splinter into little groups while you spend the whole evening doing the rounds. On a boat, that doesn't happen.
- Party size
- 10 to 30 people
- Duration
- 1.5 or 2 hours
- Own cake
- Allowed
- From
- € 32,50 p.p.
A sloop nudges a birthday into a pleasant shape. Everyone arrives at the same moment, everyone sits within earshot of each other, and there's a clear beginning and end. After an hour and a half or two hours you moor, and then you decide whether the evening continues in the city or ends there.
The boat is for your party alone. Your own cake can come along, your own decorations can go up, your own music plays through the on-board system. Unwrapping presents works well on board, as long as you appoint someone to collect the paper so it doesn't blow overboard.
How you fill it in varies a lot by age, and that mainly determines which package fits and how long you sail.
A different approach for every age
18 and 21
Music takes centre stage and the group is often big. Two hours on the water with a drinks package and pizzas on board is the usual choice. Note: the law applies on board just as it does ashore, so no alcohol under eighteen. Tell us when booking whether minors are coming along.
30, 40 and 50
Usually a mixed crowd of friends, colleagues and family who don't all know each other. An hour and a half with a sharing platter works well here: there's enough going on to keep conversation flowing, and the cruise is short enough to head on to a restaurant afterwards.
65, 70 and up
A calmer pace, a shorter cruise, and mind the boarding. You board from the quayside using a step. Tell us in advance if someone has difficulty walking; we'll pick a mooring spot that makes it easier and take it into account when boarding.
Children's birthday
An hour of plain boat hire is enough. Children wear a life jacket on board; those are provided. Bring the cake and keep the programme short: after an hour, their attention is spent.
Cake, presents and decorations on board
Your own cake is allowed and many guests bring one. Practical note: a whipped-cream cake doesn't last long on an open boat on a warm summer day. In hot weather choose something sturdier, or tell us the cake needs to stay chilled until it's cut.
Blowing out candles on an open boat rarely works first time. Windproof candles or a sparkler work better, as long as they don't go overboard.
Garlands, bunting and balloons are welcome on board, as long as they're secured. Loose balloons that blow away and confetti end up in the canal and aren't allowed.
Appoint someone to collect the wrapping paper in a bag. On the water, anything you set down for a second blows away.
The best time to set off
Afternoon, from around two: the brightest and warmest, and your evening stays free. A good fit for a mixed crowd and for older guests.
Early evening, around seven: the canal is quieter, the light is lovelier and you can head straight on to a restaurant or the city centre afterwards. This is the most popular slot, so it books up first.
Late evening, from nine in summer: right when the cruise is the party itself rather than the warm-up. If you want the music loud, bear in mind that in the city centre we're mindful of residents.
How to plan it
- Choose the duration based on your party. An hour and a half is enough if there's more programme afterwards.
- Tell us whether minors are coming along, and we'll adjust the drinks package accordingly.
- Let us know if any guests have difficulty walking, so we can pick a suitable boarding spot.
- Sort the cake and agree when it will be cut, so the skipper can lie still at that moment.
- Prepare one playlist on one phone and appoint one person to manage it.
Book Birthday in Zwolle
Tell us what you have in mind and we'll think along about the duration, the boat and the programme. No obligation, and usually an answer within a day.
Request a tailored quoteWhatsApp +31 6 34274760Or email info@rondjegrachtzwolle.nl
Matching packages
- Drinks & Pizzas
From € 52,50 p.p.
For an evening birthday this saves a restaurant booking afterwards, and pizza is easy to eat sitting down on a boat.
- Drinks Cruise
From € 32,50 p.p.
The cheapest form of unlimited drinks, a good fit when the birthday carries on in the city after the cruise.
- Drinks & Luxury Sharing Platter
From € 49,50 p.p.
With a mixed crowd, the sharing platter keeps conversation going without turning into a sit-down dinner.
Tailored quote
Calculate the price for birthday
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Frequently asked questions about birthday in Zwolle
Can we bring our own cake?
Yes, your own cake and decorations are allowed. In warm weather, bear in mind that a whipped-cream cake goes soft quickly on an open boat. Tell us in advance when you want to cut it, and the skipper will lie still at that moment.
Can we sail with a group larger than 30?
Yes. Above thirty people, small electric boats sail alongside the main boat, one for every five extra guests. With a package, the price per person stays the same. With plain boat hire, an extra boat costs € 50,- per hour.
Can alcohol be served to guests under 18?
No, the same rules apply on board as ashore. Tell us when booking whether minors are coming along; we'll make sure there are plenty of soft drinks and adjust the package accordingly.
How far in advance should I book?
For a birthday in spring or summer, we recommend booking four to six weeks ahead, especially for a Saturday evening. In autumn and winter, shorter notice is often fine.
What does a birthday on the boat cost per person?
With unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks you start at € 32,50 per person for an hour and a half. With prosecco it's € 39,50, and with fresh pizzas added € 52,50. For two hours on the water, the amounts are € 41,-, € 49,50 and € 61,- respectively.
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