Private Gondola Ride in Venice

Felt ripped off. This was a celebratory trip, but the promised prosecco did not materialise and we just went round the canals in a tiny square, hardly moving. Gondolier on his mobile most of the time, not ever trying to connect with us. Very disappointing

We left the dock at 6:00PM exactly. The gondolier paddled as fast as possible; passed gondolas that left well before us and had us back at the dock at 6:19! He did make certain that we knew where the tip basket was located....they should refund 33% of our fee since they cut us short by 11 minutes!

Venue was easy to find, trip was on time and we did get the whole 30 minutes. However we did not get any prosecco and it’s only €80 to hire a gondola yourself from one of the many gondola stations around the city.

Tour organizer was friendly and helpful. Told us where to wait. Gave us champagne and cups. Connected us with our gondola/gondolier. Gondolier didn’t speak at all. Was smiling though. Tour was a pretty area and not crowded. We happened to have a singer in the gondola near us that was amazing-such a great. Ride was exactly 30 min. Would recommend especially if you have 5-6 people as you don’t pay per person-just pay for boat one price.

We got here a little late, which was OK since they have several 6pm private tours. We checked in with the guy holding the sign, who was very nice, and then waited about 5 mins to start our trip. Our Gondolier was rude, he seemed to be mad the entire time. Other than we did agree the signing was just a movie/Vegas thing. The experience was amazing, we made sure us ladies were having a good time. The bottle they gave us was amazing, but if you spill there is a fee, so we were really scared to sip on the wine. Other than that, I will still do it.

This was not a private gondola ride but a massive group that went out in the canal for 20 minutes. I would like someone to contact me as this was not what I paid for and was a horrible experience.

All well arranged, all on time, full 30 minutes, prosecco out of a plastic glass not very environmentally friendly, but all in all worthwhile experience.

I read a lot of other reviews complaining that the gondola driver didn't sing, or that they were talking with other drivers or using their cell phone, but come on people. Who cares? Our driver sang to himself for maybe 20 seconds, and pointed out two buildings. But aside from that, he spent the rest of the ride conversing with other gondola drivers...and it was great! It's actually really cool to be immersed in, what is essentially, a culture just going about their day to day lives, enjoying jokes and playfully hassling each other. If you need the driver to talk to you for 30 minutes straight, then this might not be for you. You may be better off paying an Italian dude on the street to make small talk. But if you want to see some really neat narrow alleyways in Venice and actually converse with the person that you came to Italy with? Well then you have your priorities straight, and this will be a hell of a great time. (I also read reviews that said their private gondola ended up not being private. I can only say that we didn't have that problem, but we were also there in early May, which is probably not the busiest season.)

I booked a private gondola tour because I wanted a special experience for my two teenage granddaughters. I didn’t expect the gondolier to sing or be a tour guide. But I was appalled when he hardly acknowledged our presence and proceeded to spend literally the entire 30-minute ride talking (loudly and annoyingly) on his cell phone. This really ruined the mood. I wanted to complain immediately after the ride, but there was no one to complain to. I would not choose this company again.

The 30 minute ride was more like 20-25 minutes. Our gondolier did not say one word to us and the whole thing felt like a ride at Disneyland. I don't blame the tour operator or Viator... the whole gondola ride concept is so touristy. Wish I'd saved my money.