Classic tall ship or saloon boat: which vessel suits how many guests?

Two characters, one purpose

Both the classic tall ship and the saloon boat are fully capable floating wedding venues, yet they carry a big day in entirely different ways. The tall ship breathes history, timber and wind. The saloon boat breathes light, glass and a city pouring in from every side.

Both vessels can carry a complete wedding, from ceremony to dinner to an evening of celebration. The difference lies in the experience guests take away, and in the logistics that come with it.

The classic tall ship: space, wind and a long day

A classic tall ship belongs on open water such as the IJ, the Markermeer and the IJmeer. The deck offers room to sit, stand and wander, while the sails give the day a sound no guest forgets. Below deck often lies a hold with long tables, ideal for a dinner with a sense of intimacy that contrasts strongly with the open sky above.

For a classic tall ship, expect a full day, from departure in the early afternoon to returning after dark. The sailing time to open water and back is part of the experience, not a superfluous interlude.

This is the choice for couples who love vistas, who want the day to last, and who don't mind the weather playing an active role in the atmosphere of the day.

Capacity of the classic tall ship

Classic tall ships in our fleet are suitable for 20 to 200 guests, depending on the vessel and the format of the programme. A seated dinner requires more space than a standing reception, so a vessel licensed for 150 people will already feel more comfortable at a dinner with 90 to 100 guests.

For large parties above 150 guests, we sometimes combine two vessels moored alongside each other, preserving the character of the tall ship without overcrowding the deck.

The saloon boat: intimate, refined, close

A saloon boat brings the city indoors. Glass all around, set tables and softened acoustics make it perfect for a smaller party that wants to hear one another clearly throughout the day, including during speeches and dinner.

Saloon boats are ideal for canal ceremonies, where Amsterdam's historic façades literally slip past the windows. They are equally suited to intimate dinners and evenings that end with a short cruise back to the quay where guests began.

Because a saloon boat is fully enclosed and heated, it can be used year-round, including on a rainy November afternoon or a cold January evening.

Capacity of the saloon boat

A saloon boat is generally suitable for 2 to 60 guests, making it one of the most flexible floating wedding venues available. A small saloon boat is more than enough for an intimate wedding with immediate family only, while larger vessels comfortably carry an extended party of 50 to 60 guests for a seated dinner.

The compact scale of a saloon boat keeps the acoustics clear, which is valuable during speeches and the vows.

Cruising area as the deciding factor

In practice, the cruising area often matters more than guest numbers. Anyone wishing to marry on the canals will almost automatically choose a saloon boat, since classic tall ships, given their size and draught, cannot pass beneath the bridges everywhere.

Anyone dreaming of open water, wind and a horizon free of buildings will choose a classic tall ship on the IJmeer or Markermeer. These two cruising areas are inseparably linked to the character of the tall ship.

Cost of both vessel types

A classic tall ship generally requires more crew than a saloon boat of comparable size, because of the sailing and the larger surface area on deck and below. This translates into a higher vessel hire rate per part of the day, particularly when a full day of sailing on the Markermeer is planned.

A saloon boat is generally the more budget-friendly choice for smaller parties, especially when the wedding fits within a four- to five-hour window rather than a full day.

Or both: the combined wedding

Increasingly, couples combine the two vessels within a single day. By day, guests enjoy the horizon and the wind aboard the classic tall ship, and in the evening a saloon boat comes alongside for the celebrations, with a warm, illuminated transition into the night.

This combination brings two characters into one continuous day, and is often chosen by couples who want both the romance of sailing and the intimacy of a lit saloon, without having to choose.