Please read our FAQ page to prepare for your cruise. Important policies and guidelines are also included below.  

Address & Directions
Our gondola is docked at 833 Embarcadero, Morro Bay 93442.
We are near the HarborWalk Inn, directly behind the large orange and purple octopus sculpture. 
Currently, there is no office check-in. You can meet your gondolier at the top of the gangplank.  You will have a good view of the gondola below.

Accessibility: Can I get on the boat if in a wheelchair or need help walking? Will I be able to keep my balance?
Our gondolas are all historical wooden boats, and therefore, they are NOT wheelchair accessible. HOWEVER, as long as guests are able to stand with help and step into the boat with help, they CAN take a ride. Our gondoliers are sturdy and trained to help get you safely in and out of the boat. Also, there are steps built into the design of the gondola at the stern to aid entry. 

What should I wear?
From shorts and flip-flops to formalwear, we've seen a multitude of styles on our boats. We only ask that you remember that this is an outdoor, marine environment. We recommend jackets, sunscreen, and hats as the weather and time of day deem appropriate. We will have blankets available. Please note that the gangplank and docks can be slippery and hazardous, so be mindful before choosing to wear high heels.

Can I bring my own beverage and food?
Yes! While Central Coast Gondola has local preferred providers that can supply your cruise with local charcuterie trays hand-delivered to the boat as you arrive, you may bring your own food and beverage. 

How soon should I arrive?
We recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to park and walk to the dock. Plan to arrive dockside 5-10 minutes early. This will give you plenty of time to relax before boarding and meet your gondolier. If you are early and don't see a boat or a gondolier, please be patient! We assure you he will be there!

What if I am running late?
Your gondolier will wait for you 45 minutes of a 60-minute cruise  & 70 minutes of a 90-minute cruise.  Because we book by reservation, your cruise might not be able to be extended to make up for lost time. Cruises are non-refundable, so we encourage you to come anyway to enjoy the portion of your cruise that remains.

Are your cruises only for romantic getaways?
We celebrate all types of things! We can host small business lunches, family outings, graduation celebrations, quinceañeras, and special birthdays...Call us for a consultation. We'd love to help you plan something great!

Can I bring Fido?
Yes, you may bring your dog along, although we do charge $15 per pet. 

Do we have to wear life vests? 
Our boats are all equipped with safety gear and life vests, and our gondolieri prioritize safety at all times. You only have to wear a life vest if you are under the age of 13. 

Can children cruise with us?
 Yes! We love family cruises. Per the coast guard, all children under 13 must wear a life-jacket. Children ages 3 and under are free of charge.

Will our gondolier sing?
 In Venice, gondolieri rarely sing. In fact, unless they are a member of the musicians trade guild, it is actually illegal for a gondolier to sing !  Fortunately, that is not the case here in the U.S.  Some of our gondoliers love to sing, and some don't. If you specifically wish to have a singing gondolier give you a romantic serenade, please make sure you let the office and your gondolier know!

Should I tip my gondolier?
Yes! In the small but thriving United States gondola service industry, it is standard practice to tip 15%-20%. Our gondolieri work hard to give you a fantastic personalized experience on the water. We appreciate your generosity.

Isn't it too cold to cruise in winter?
Most of the time, no! Morro Bay is beautiful even in the winter. The wind usually dies down after sunset and it is calm and clear. Our guests sit low in the boat, which helps keep our passengers warmer, and we do have blankets available on the boat. Dress warmly, bring a jacket, and enjoy the beauty!

Do I need to worry about Sea-sickness?
It is usually very calm and peaceful in the bay, and we VERY RARELY see instances of sea-sickness aboard the gondola. If you are particularly sensitive to motion, however, it might be a good idea to take appropriate precautions beforehand. Please plan accordingly as we do not have any motion sickness preventatives available at the dock or on the boat.

Can I smoke on the boats?
Since all Venetian boats are hand-crafted of wood and other flammable materials, smoking is not permitted.

Gift Certificates
Due to high volumes of credit card fraud, Gift certificates may only be purchased by calling our office 805-363-4363. We currently will only accept payments in-Person, or Venmo, or ACH transfer.

Payment Policy
We require payment to make your cruise reservation. We accept all major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Venmo (call the office for Venmo). Prices listed do not include sales tax or gratuity.

Fraud Prevention Policy
Because of a high volume of credit card fraud, the credit card used for booking AND a matching ID MUST be presented to your gondolier or the guests will not be able to board the gondola. 

If you do not have the credit card and cannot cruise, the purchase will not be refunded.

If you do not have a credit card in your name, call 805-363-4363 for alternate payment/verification options.

We appreciate your patience and assistance with this.

Rescheduling, Cancellation, and No-Shows
All bookings are non-refundable. We do not refund cruises, but we will do our very best to reschedule if cancellation is necessary. 
Rescheduling fees: 
- 2 weeks or less before cruise day: $35 fee for rebooking
- 48-24 hours before cruise time: $75 plus full cost of food or perishables ordered if they cannot be canceled. 
- 24 hours or less before cruise time: Full charge. 
- No-shows will be charged full amount of cruise.

What if the weather is bad? Will my cruise get canceled? What then?
While weather-related cancelations can and do happen at any time of year, they are happily not frequent occurrences. 
All of our cruises are “weather permitting,” which means we reserve the right to cancel a cruise due to unsafe conditions at any time. We cannot guarantee ideal weather conditions for any cruise. 
Wind is the biggest factor in canceling a cruise: any time the wind gusts are 20mph or more, it may not be safe to go out. The tide and wind direction are also determining factors. Your gondolier will make the final call, which might be at the last minute if there is an unanticipated or uncertain weather issue. We promise to let you know as early as possible if any changes need to be made.
In a gentle rain with little wind, we will NOT cancel the cruise. We have large umbrellas and blankets for our guests to use, and many wonderful gondola memories have been made during these cruises. 
If we must call you to cancel due to inclement weather or unsafe boating conditions in the bay, you will be rescheduled free of any charges, or the purchaser will receive credit towards another cruise of their choice.