Tipping
Guidelines for
River & Barge Cruises
AMAWATERWAYS
The Process: Tips on AMAWATERWAYS are merely suggested — the recommended amount is 12 euro per person, per day, for the crew and 3 euro per person, per day, for the cruise director.
Alternatives: Gratuities can be paid by credit card or in cash envelopes.
Extra Charges: Additional gratuities are not automatically added to bar or salon bills, so again tipping is at the discretion of each passenger.
AVALON WATERWAYS (China)
Avalon’s river voyages in China are operated by Victoria Cruises; see “Victoria Cruises” below.
AVALON WATERWAYS (Europe)
The Process: Suggested gratuities are 2 to 3 euros per person, per day, for the cruise director and 12 euros per person, per day for the crew.
Alternatives: Passengers can pay in cash (euros, or equivalent amount in dollars) or by credit card onboard.
Extra Charges: Tipping is not required at onboard bars or in the salon, but passengers can offer a separate gratuity for above-average service. It is recommended that guests tip local guides a euro or two.
EUROPEAN WATERWAYS/GoBARGING
The Process: European Waterways says that gratuities are discretionary and typically average between 5 and 10 percent of the fare paid, given to the captain for distribution to the crew, including tour guides, hostesses and chefs.
Alternatives: Passengers can pay in cash (dollars or euros) or with traveler’s checks.
Extra Charges: None.
FRENCH COUNTRY WATERWAYS
The Process: French Country Waterways recommends that passengers tip approximately 5 to 10 percent of their cruise fare in cash or traveler’s checks (U.S. dollars or euros).
Alternatives: The ship does not accept credit cards. Passengers can make prior arrangements with the U.S. office to pre-pay gratuities, but this is not encouraged as the company wants guests to experience the trip before tipping.
Extra Charges: None.
TAUCK WORLD DISCOVERY
The Process: Tips are not expected as Tauck’s tour prices include gratuities for ship staff (and hotel staff if there’s a land stay), local guides, drivers, Tauck directors and the cruise director.
Alternatives: If you’d like to give a little extra — say, to an excellent bartender or to the massage therapist onboard — be sure to carry some cash as you won’t be able to charge it to your onboard account. The onboard currency is the euro.
Extra Charges: None.
UNIWORLD CRUISES (China)
The Process: Uniworld’s policy is that gratuities should be subject to passengers’ satisfaction with their travel experience. However, the company does give tipping guidelines: $10 per passenger, per day, to be shared among all staff and crew; $5 – $7 per person, per day, to the Cruise Manager; $3 per person, per day, to local guides; $3 per person, per day, to river guides; $2 per person, per day, to drivers; and 50 cents per person, per excursion, to local boatmen.
Alternatives: Gratuities cannot be billed to onboard accounts or paid with a credit card, so come prepared with cash. Personal checks can also not be accepted.
Extra Charges: None.
UNIWORLD CRUISES (Europe)
The Process: Uniworld’s policy is that gratuities should be subject to passengers’ satisfaction with their travel experience. However, the company does give tipping guidelines: 10 euros per passenger, per day, to be shared among all staff and crew; 3 euros per person, per day, to the Cruise Manager; 3 euros per person, per day, to the local host or hostess for included or optional excursions; 1 euro per person for a half-day tour or 1 to 2 euros for a full-day tour; and 1 euro per person, per day, to drivers.
Alternatives: Gratuities cannot be billed to onboard accounts or paid with a credit card, so come prepared with cash. Personal checks can also not be accepted.
Extra Charges: None.
VICTORIA CRUISES
The Process: Tips are put in a single box at reception at the end of the cruise and pooled among the crew. The suggested amount is $10 per person, per day.
Alternatives: Guests who wish to put the tip on credit card can do so during check-out.
Extra Charges: Cruise directors and river guides do not share in the general gratuity so passengers are encouraged to tip them directly as they see fit.
VIKING RIVER CRUISES
The Process: Viking River Cruises recommends tipping $10 – $12 per person, per day, which will be distributed among the crew, including the Program Director.
Alternatives: You may tip in cash or charge the tips to your credit card (credit cards cannot be used in Egypt).
Extra Charges: Additional tipping is at each passenger’s discretion. Viking River recommends tipping tour escorts and Egyptologists $10 per person, per day; local guides $5 per person, per day; coach drivers $1 – $3 per person, per day; and cruise guides or hosts (during land or extension programs) $3 to $5 per person, per day. You’ll want to tip in cash at the end of each tour.
