What's the Real Story on Viking Tipping?

The different river cruise boats, that I’ve been on, won’t exchange/convert anything smaller than a $20 bill. I always reasoned it was because the banks didn’t want the smaller bills either.

Giving $1 US bills, as tips, in many foreign countries created a problem for the one tipped. They might get 50 cents (local equivalent ) for those $1 bills.

Then there are the tourist handing out US quarters as tips!:rolleyes:

Maybe Viking thinks it is easier to explain tipping in dollars to their passengers.

 

 

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On their website, Viking's suggested tips are quoted in Euros, not Dollars. I don't know which cruise line suggests tips in dollars, but it is not Viking. We have been on four Viking cruises and have never had a problem tipping in Euros.

On our Viking Douro trip last month, the CD said we could tip in cash only -- Euros, Dollars, British Pounds, or Canadian -- had to do with some Portuguese law. Most people I'm sure tipped in Euros as we did. The 2 people I tipped individually, I tipped in USD as that was all I had left in my wallet.

I think tipping guidelines are sometimes geared towards each individual cruise, i.e. country of disembarkation, embarkation, nationality of crew, Cruise Line, etc

It does seem that getting tips in local currency would be easier for the crew. I have read that Viking's target market is senior Americans. Maybe Viking thinks it is easier to explain tipping in dollars to their passengers. IMO with the availability of ATMs and the knowledge that tips are expected, informed passengers could be able to come up with the local currency.

 

 

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For CREW tips Viking Ocean uses US $.

Viking River in most of Europe quotes crew tip amounts in Euros.*

* There are exceptions...Portugal, Russia

At least one line, GCT, for at least this past year has not allowed crew tips to be put on your ship account. Cash only. At the same time they made that change, they stopped exchanging currency. They stated it was due to a change in banking laws. If that's the case, I would think all lines had to make the same adjustments. Experiences prior to this year may not match current realities.

Those quarters will come in handy on Castle Hill in Budapest. Two weeks ago, the price list at the restroom there was: 200 forint, 1€, and $1.25, and they made change. Even observed £1 being accepted.

This is from the Viking website and it will also be included in the packet you receive from Viking pre-trip and also a reminder on the last day.

 

The following guidelines are based on typical amounts; they vary by region so please read the section for the region to which you will be traveling. Please note that local city guides and coach drivers are not included in the onboard gratuities; any tipping should be done in cash on the day of the tour as you are not likely to see them again.

 

Europe

In Europe, we recommend that you tip in euros. Guidelines:

Program Director – €2 per guest, per day <— this is the CD

Onboard staff – €12 per guest, per day

Local city guides – €2 per guest, per day

Coach drivers – €1 per guest, per day

 

The tips for the program director/CD and onboard staff can be added to your onboard account and paid with a credit card. No other tips are required. You may add additional amounts to the bill or give less if you wish. You may also give cash to those who went above and beyond or those you personally feel deserved more. It’s up to you.

 

We put the standard amount on our bill, then tipped a number of people extra in cash.

 

We always tipped the tour guides and bus drivers.

 

 

 

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This sounds reasonable and in line with what we do on a cruise ship with exception of the CD.

Where is USD listed on those guidelines? I only see Euros!

I really can't believe that people who are willing to pay as much as they do to take a nice vacation are so petty to worry about how much these underpaid staff are getting! Utterly amazing!!!

Our CD (Douro Viking) told us that any currency (USD, Euro, Pound, Canadian) would be accepted. Cash only, no credit cards because of Portuguese law. I suspect this varies among cruise lines and itineraries.

I really can't believe that people who are willing to pay as much as they do to take a nice vacation are so petty to worry about how much these underpaid staff are getting! Utterly amazing!!!

It is amazing, but all too often a practice.

From Vikings website:

What Is The Tipping And Gratuities Policy?

From the Hotel Manager to receptionists, from restaurant servers to housekeeping, Viking’s onboard staff are 100% dedicated to serving our guests. Tips are not included in your cruise price, but are a voluntary way of showing satisfaction for good service. You may tip onboard staff in cash if you like, or you may charge your tips to your credit card at the end of the cruise (everywhere except Egypt, Southeast Asia and Portugal). These gratuities are distributed among the ship’s staff. The Tour Escorts or Program Directors that travel with you do not share in the onboard staff gratuities. It is customary to tip them separately in cash.

The following guidelines are based on typical amounts; they vary by region so please read the section for the region to which you will be traveling. Please note that local city guides and coach drivers are not included in the onboard gratuities; any tipping should be done in cash on the day of the tour as you are not likely to see them again.

Europe

In Europe, we recommend that you tip in euros. Guidelines:

Program Director – €2 per guest, per day

Onboard staff – €12 per guest, per day

Local city guides – €2 per guest, per day

Coach drivers – €1 per guest, per day

Russia

In Russia, we recommend that you tip in U.S. dollars. Guidelines:

Onboard staff – $15 per guest, per day

Tour Escort – $10 per guest, per day

Local city guides – $2 per guest, per day

Coach drivers – $1 per guest, per day

China

In China, we recommend that you tip in U.S. dollars. Guidelines:

Onboard staff – $15 per guest, per day

Tour Escort – $10 per guest, per day

Local city guides – $2 per guest, per day

Coach drivers – $1 per guest, per day

Southeast Asia

In the Mekong region and in Myanmar, we recommend that you tip in U.S. dollars. Guidelines:

Onboard staff – $15 per guest, per day

Tour Escort – $10 per guest, per day

Local city guides – $2 per guest, per day

Coach drivers – $1 per guest, per day

Egypt

In Egypt, we recommend that you tip in U.S. dollars. Guidelines:

Onboard staff – $15 per guest, per day

Tour Escort/Egyptologist – $10 per guest, per day

Local city guides – $2 per guest, per day

Coach drivers – $1 per guest, per day

Am I correct in thinking that my pre-paid gratuities only covers the 12 euro a day onboard staff portion and not the cruise director, local guides, and bus drivers portion?

Am I correct in thinking that my pre-paid gratuities only covers the 12 euro a day onboard staff portion and not the cruise director, local guides, and bus drivers portion?

Not quite.

Only the guides and bus driver are not covered. You can get change for Euro bills onboard for the guides & drivers.

Pre-oaid covers ALL onboard. Staff & cruise director.