Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip? 

On non-WaterFire days and evenings, all trips are 40 minutes long. During full WaterFire events, the trips are 30 minutes long. 

Where is your dock located? 

Our boats launch from our Gondola Landing at One Citizens Plaza, Providence RI 02903. You can find a map and detailed driving directions on our Contact page. If using Apple Maps, to navigate to us, please note that often that specific app sends people to 1 Citizens Drive in East Providence. This is NOT where you want to be. If using Apple Maps, please enter Cafe Nuovo restaurant - their outdoor dining overlooks our dock. Any other navigating app seems to bring you to our location properly if you input the address.

Are children allowed on the gondolas?

Yes! We are a very family-friendly operation for children and adults of all ages. That said, per Coast Guard regulations and Rhode Island law, children under 12 years of age must wear life jackets during the trip. Additionally, if an adult is holding a child too small for a life jacket (i.e., an infant), that adult must wear a life jacket themselves.

How much should I tip my gondolier/musician? 

Our staff appreciate any gratuity that you choose to offer. However. most of our guests choose to tip around 20% of the cost of their reservation, similar to how they would tip in a fine restaurant. If you don't have cash for your gratuity and would like to tip your gondolier, we can add the tip to your credit card at the dock. 

What should I bring? 

Your own beverage: Please feel free to bring your own bottle(s) of wine, prosecco, beer, juice, or anything else you like to drink. We provide ice bucket, glasses, and opener if necessary.

Weather-appropriate clothing: After dark, it can get chilly on the river, especially early and late in our rowing season. Please dress for the weather. La Gondola also provides blankets and umbrellas for your use. If you take a trip during the day, you may also want to wear sunblock.

What is your cancellation policy? 

We understand that circumstances cannot always be predicted. If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call us as soon as possible at 401.421.8877 to reschedule. Please note that all reservations are non-refundable unless La Gondola cancels due to either strong wind, rain, or if the heat index is over 95 degrees at the time of your departure.

Purchasing Trip Protection (10% of trip cost) at the time of your reservation allows parties to cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours in advance of their trip. If canceling, parties would be refunded for everything except trip protection and processing fees.

Reservations without Trip Protection that cancel or reschedule within 72 hours of their trip time will be subject to a fee of up to 100% of the cost of their trip, depending upon whether or not La Gondola can fill their original time slot.

Will inclement weather cancel my trip? 

Non-WaterFire trips: Heavy or sustained rain or high winds will necessitate trip cancellations. If La Gondola is forced to cancel your trip due to inclement weather, we will be happy to reschedule your reservation or refund you the purchase price of your trip. If it's sprinkling, misting, or raining intermittently, it is up to you to decide whether you would still like to take your trip. You are not required to take your trip if it is precipitating at your time of departure. We do ask, however, that you give us as much advance notice as possible if you choose to cancel. No-show reservations, regardless of weather, will be charged a cancellation fee of the cost of your trip package, including any fees incurred or gratuities added.

WaterFire trips: Heavy or sustained rain or high winds will cancel WaterFire. If this happens, WaterFire will usually let us know by noon of the event day at the latest, and we will contact you to reschedule or cancel your reservation. However, if it is misting, drizzling, or raining intermittently, WaterFire will still commence and/or continue feeding the fires, and you will thus be responsible for your reservation. No-show reservations, regardless of weather, will be charged the full price of their trip and/or not refunded.