New Year's drinks · January, open calendar
New Year's drinks on a boat in Zwolle
In December every calendar is full and every venue is booked. In January it is exactly the other way round, and that makes New Year's drinks the smarter choice.
- Group
- 10 to 30 people
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Availability
- Wide open in January
- From
- € 32,50 p.p.
Many companies move their end-of-year drinks to January, and with good reason. In December you are competing with Christmas dinners, family obligations and four other parties in the same week. In January nearly everyone comes, there is room in the calendar and the good dates are still available.
It is also a different conversation. Christmas drinks look back; New Year's drinks look ahead. If you have something to say about the coming year — plans, a reorganisation, a new course — it fits better in January.
Practically it differs little from a winter Christmas cruise: dress warmly, blankets on board and an hour and a half as the comfortable length. The difference is in the content and the bubbles.
Why January beats December
Turnout. In December people cancel because there are already three other things that week. In January the calendar is empty and nearly everyone comes. For drinks where the company is the whole point, that is the biggest difference.
Availability. Our December fills up by October. In January you can often still get a good date and time two weeks ahead.
Budget. For companies that work by financial year, New Year's drinks fall in the new budget. For many organisations that is administratively simpler.
Atmosphere. The city centre is quieter in January than in December. You notice it on the canal straight away: less boat traffic, fewer crowds on the quays.
Bubbles, oliebollen and a speech
Have the bubbles and the oliebollen — the traditional Dutch New Year doughnuts — ready as people step aboard, so the toast happens straight away. That is the moment the whole event revolves around, and you don't want it happening only after the boat has been cruising for twenty minutes.
A New Year's speech works well on board, provided it is short. Have the skipper lie still, keep it to three to five minutes and do it at the start of the cruise while everyone is still sharp. After that, the rest of the trip is informal.
Beer, wine, soft drinks and wintery snacks can be arranged too. A presentation with slides doesn't work on an open boat, so stick to speaking.
Practical in winter
Clothing. State explicitly in the invitation that it is an open boat. A coat, hat and gloves are no luxury in January. Blankets are available on board.
Timing. Mid-afternoon in January is lighter and warmer than a five o'clock cruise. If you'd rather see the illuminated city centre, choose late afternoon instead.
Duration. An hour and a half is more comfortable in winter temperatures than two. On a windless day, two hours is fine.
Weather. We don't sail with ice on the canal, in storms or in persistent heavy rain. We'll contact you well in advance and find an alternative date together.
How to plan it
- Pick a date in the first three weeks of January, when turnout is highest.
- Make sure the bubbles and oliebollen are ready as people step aboard.
- Plan the speech at the start of the cruise and keep it to three to five minutes.
- Mention in the invitation that it is an open boat and warm clothing is needed.
- Request a custom quote and agree an alternative date in case the weather turns.
Book New Year's drinks 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
- Prosecco Boat
From € 39,50 p.p.
New Year's drinks are about the toast, and with unlimited prosecco everyone's glass is full at the moment that counts.
- Drinks Cruise
From € 32,50 p.p.
The more economical option with unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks, fine if the bubbles are just for the welcome toast.
- Business Morning Cruise
From € 30,00 p.p.
For a New Year's breakfast or a morning session with coffee, tea and cake instead of alcohol.
Tailored quote
Calculate the price for new year's drinks
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Frequently asked questions about new year's drinks in Zwolle
Isn't January too cold for a cruise?
With a coat, blankets on board and hot drinks it is perfectly doable. We do recommend an hour and a half rather than two, and a mid-afternoon cruise if you want it lighter and warmer. We don't sail with ice on the canal or in storms.
Can you provide oliebollen and bubbles?
Yes, on request. We make sure they are ready as people step aboard, so the toast can happen straight away. Beer, wine, soft drinks and wintery snacks are possible too.
How late can we still book in January?
In January there is usually still plenty of choice of dates, even two weeks ahead. That is a big difference from December, which starts filling up in October.
Is there room for a New Year's speech?
Yes. With the boat lying still and the music off, a speaker can be heard by the whole group of up to thirty. Keep it to three to five minutes and do it at the start of the cruise. A presentation with slides doesn't work on board.
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