Custom and Practice on Tipping for Included Excursions

[georg0]

What is the custom and practice on tipping tour guides and bus drivers for included excursions? How about those that are extra cost? Thanks.

[RachelG]

I tip guides and bus drivers--provided they do a reasonably good job. We have had a couple of guides that were so annoying or just plain awful that I did not tip. But that is rare. We also had a bus driver once who got lost and drove us around for an hour extra. He did not get a tip.

[TedC]

DITTO

 

The "all inclusive" does NOT cover tips for tour guides and bus drivers on ALL tours - not just those with a surcharge.

Edited November 1, 2013 by TedC

[Travelcat2]

Agree with last two posters. Tour guides and drivers are contracted with Regent and are not employed by Regent. We always tip the tour guide and bus driver for good service.

[newlondon]

Agree with all of the above. We also tip assistants on buses because we suspect they are paid very little and having talked to some private guides we know that the top of the food chain does not always help out the bottom.

[ChocolatePirate]

Agree with PP. We had this question when we went on our first Regent cruise this June. We decided that the tour guides and bus drivers are not Regent employees so we decided a tip was in order. We had to remember to carry enough small bills to tip.

When we were in Canada to catch the plane home, we just got off the ship and went directly to the airport, and the bus driver gave us a fabulous tour of Vancouver before we got to the airport. Luckily, I carried about $3 in Canadian coins that I had at home on the trip "just in case."

[funb4kids]

When we were on our Regent cruise in 2012 we found that a lot of fellow passengers assumed that the "included gratuities" also applied to the tours/excursions. So we asked the second day when we were picking up our bus cards and the destination desk clarified that the tour guides and drivers typically get additional tips by the passengers, not by Regent. We continued to tip during the cruise but often had passengers comment that it was "included".

 

Given the confusion, does it make sense that Regent might want to make it more clear that the tour guides/drivers are not part of the "included gratuities"?

 

I for one think that if a tour guide or driver is particularly good, an extra gratuity is warranted. In the same token, we thought the service on Voyager was so outstanding, that we contributed to the crew fund so that everyone who contributed to the outstanding service benefited.

[Travelcat2]

When we were on our Regent cruise in 2012 we found that a lot of fellow passengers assumed that the "included gratuities" also applied to the tours/excursions. So we asked the second day when we were picking up our bus cards and the destination desk clarified that the tour guides and drivers typically get additional tips by the passengers, not by Regent. We continued to tip during the cruise but often had passengers comment that it was "included".

 

Given the confusion, does it make sense that Regent might want to make it more clear that the tour guides/drivers are not part of the "included gratuities"?

 

I for one think that if a tour guide or driver is particularly good, an extra gratuity is warranted. In the same token, we thought the service on Voyager was so outstanding, that we contributed to the crew fund so that everyone who contributed to the outstanding service benefited.

 

Very good idea! We find it sad that many people walk off of the bus without even a thank you.

[HanaleiSailor]

On a seven day Med cruise this year, believe it or not, we took six included excursions, and in most cases, they were not overcrowded and the guides were fair to excellent. We generally tipped 10 to 20 Euros for the guides and around 4 or 5 euro to the drivers.

 

We understand the importance of tips to these guides and drivers as we own a business is a tourist driven economy in a small Hawaiian town, and about half of our employees really depend upon tips to make ends meet in this every expensive environment.

 

Aloha from Hanalei,

 

Mark

[ridolphi]

It is the same as it was before included excursions, the gratuities to guides and drivers are not included. We always tip them at the end.

 

I think, though, that the post above about Regent making that more clear is a very good idea, as we too have seen people get off the bus without tipping, most likely thinking tips are already included. The could make announcements in the theater where you pick up your bus tickets and maybe have a couple of signs posted.

 

As for tipping the crew extra, we always, always make a nice contribution to the crew fund, as that benefits everyone, even the behind the scenes people that we don't see. Regent highly encourages this practice. What we have done is to give our room stewardess flowers part way thru, or some small little gift if its a steward, and have done the same with our Butler if we have had one.

[freddie]

I am at this moment sitting on our balcony on Mariner, enjoying a lovely sea day on the way to Malta. The Shore Excursions Overview pamphlet that we received in our cabin upon boarding does, in fact, state that, "Gratuities for the guides and drivers are not included in the tours." However, it is clear from the failure of most of the pax on our tours in Dubrovnik and Kotor to tip our excellent guides that the note in the pamphlet is not read by many people.

 

Or, perhaps, many of them read the note and ignore it. Those are likely the same people who grumbled about the fact that some of the public restrooms required a small fee (such as a half euro), even though that fact was also noted in the tour pamphlet.

 

For whatever good it might do, I will make a suggestion on my comment card that the note about gratuities for guides and drivers be made more visible, such as printing it on the tour tickets.

[ridolphi]

Freddie - I think printing that on the tour tickets, in bold maybe, is a very good suggestion, and if we were onboard, we would also make that comment on the comment card.

 

Enjoy, sure wish we were there with you and Pat.

[jhp]

I am at this moment sitting on our balcony on Mariner, enjoying a lovely sea day on the way to Malta. The Shore Excursions Overview pamphlet that we received in our cabin upon boarding does, in fact, state that, "Gratuities for the guides and drivers are not included in the tours." However, it is clear from the failure of most of the pax on our tours in Dubrovnik and Kotor to tip our excellent guides that the note in the pamphlet is not read by many people.

 

Or, perhaps, many of them read the note and ignore it. Those are likely the same people who grumbled about the fact that some of the public restrooms required a small fee (such as a half euro), even though that fact was also noted in the tour pamphlet.

 

For whatever good it might do, I will make a suggestion on my comment card that the note about gratuities for guides and drivers be made more visible, such as printing it on the tour tickets.

.

 

Fred, getting back to the subject of this thread, good idea you should do just that. Just debarked not long ago, and noticed a lot of "no-tipping" On excursions. Tips for guides and drivers have never been included, we had a lot of first time cruisers on my cruise, and I think they never gave it a thought, but would have tipped had they known. And they won't know if they are not informed!

 

Our buses were not crowded, and I thought if every one on this bus gave $5pp to a good guide (for a 4-hour excursion)

,and perhaps to the driver half as much, they would have a very good day, and go home happy to their families with what their company was paying them. Having been in the service industry before, I know how much this means to them. And not a lot from us, considering what we've paid for our cruise.

Edited November 4, 2013 by jhp

[2old4this]

In many ports waiting guides and drivers are decently paid and the jobs they hold are desired by a large crowd of people who would give anything to be in the tourist business. Some among them assume tips will come their way just because they guide tourists or drive for them. Tipping, I believe, is for special services received and not to fill voids in their regular incomes. As with any service provider on any job, anywhere, extra cash received should be on what the provider did to merit the additional amount.

 

No one needs to be informed drivers and guides appreciate tips. Print the alert everywhere, in red ink and bold, and the same people who never tip will still avoid tipping.

[jhp]

In many ports, particularly Italy that I know of, no one is permitted to even escort a group without extensive training (or even a college degree) required to acquire a license to guide.

 

2Oldfor this, while I have read and acknowledge your comments, there is buried somewhere in the website, I believe, that tips are not included on excursions. They never have been, and I think some cruisers may just not know, particularly new ones. Other posters on this thread seem to appreciate that.

 

This was perhaps more evident before excursions were included. Perhaps it is adverse to Regent's interests to offer "all-inclusive" EXCEPT......tips to tour guides. I would not think of getting off a bus without tipping. Just my opinion. Tour people may have a 3-4 hour cruise excursion, but this is their whole day's work to provide for a family, even if they are paid by the hour by the company who has engaged them for the day.

 

We all have our own tipping policies. I feel a few $$'s here and there off the ship are not going to "break me" on a cruise. I do like the policy aboard, where I feel no need day to day to be passing out tips, and what I do at the end is my discretion.

Edited November 19, 2013 by jhp

[8dimsum]

The official guides in China also have in-depth study and training.

[tourguide97]

TO: TC2

 

Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your posts.

 

Thank you

 

Tourguide

[Travelcat2]

TO: TC2

 

Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your posts.

 

Thank you

 

Tourguide

 

Thank you -- really appreciate your post:)

TC2

[newlondon]

2old4this, I think maybe you misunderstood the question; actually I don't. The guides on tours arranged by cruise lines are like all others, underpaid, got this from a CD. To not give a tip, if they speak English, and make an effort, is imo, perpetuating the impression of the cheap American.

The dock side vendors--up to you.

[rallydave]

2old4this, I think maybe you misunderstood the question; actually I don't. The guides on tours arranged by cruise lines are like all others, underpaid, got this from a CD. To not give a tip, if they speak English, and make an effort, is imo, perpetuating the impression of the cheap American.

The dock side vendors--up to you.

 

Really don't think that one CD on a cruise ship can know what ALL guides on tours get paid. Making generalities is never a good thing. Am sure some guides make a good salary especially in locations where tipping is included in the pricing as it is in many places other than the US. True, some guides rely on tips however, the impression of the cheap American can also come from people who tip when it is not expected or customary.

 

A tip, not customarily required is generally give in cases for effort over and above the expected services and NOT simply for speaking English and making an effort. Those are the expected and not effort over and above since am sure all guides are required by Regent to speak English and to make an effort.

 

Tipping is an individual decision and in some countries a tip is an insult so please leave it up to the individuals and don't make generalities that a tip is REQUIRED in all cases.

 

Have no idea why you mention the dockside vendors when discussing tips?? Have never heard of tipping someone in a department store and the dockside vendors set their prices and/or negotiate so no idea of why anyone would tip a dockside vendor????

[newlondon]

Rallydave, As usual you and I disagree. Dockside vendors are not merchants, they are taxis or "guides" who solicit cruisers leaving ships. Some are good others not. TBH I would never use one for various reasons.

There are also good guides and bad guides, DW and I had the misfortune to have a Polish woman guide us through the Scavi. One of the most interesting places in the Vatican was ruined because she basically couldn't speak English. On the same trip we toured the Forum on our own and listened, very briefly to a guide misinform a Royal Caribbean group about the actual history of the place.

I also think a CD would have a far more accurate understanding of guide pay than you or I even though it might not include ALL guides.

Back at you on generalities

[Travelcat2]

IMO, this thread is a good place to make generalities. In general, tour guides are not paid a lot of money and depend upon tips for their income. Some people would not have thought about tipping tour guides at all had it not been for CruiseCritic. No one would suggest tipping for poor service. However, IMO, if a person has tried - despite language difficulties, don't they deserve at least a "thank you" when leaving the bus?

 

As recently discussed on CC, a large percentage of restaurant servers in the U.S. are paid below minimum wage and depend upon tips. This is another generalization since some states pay minimum wage plus tips. So, most of us generalize and assume that their server should be tipped. Some people may decide to determine how much servers are paid in that state and tip based upon that. In the case of tour guides, we are not talking about 15 or 20% necessarily. If everyone on the bus gave a few bucks to the guide and bus driver, it would probably make their lives better.

[RachelG]

Agree, TC. If they are trying hard and doing their best, I will tip. If they are dragging us to shopping places on a tour that is not designated as a shopping tour, and wasting time that could be spent at a worthwhile sight, I do not tip. I do not take tours to shop.

[rallydave]

Rallydave, As usual you and I disagree. Dockside vendors are not merchants, they are taxis or "guides" who solicit cruisers leaving ships. Some are good others not. TBH I would never use one for various reasons.

There are also good guides and bad guides, DW and I had the misfortune to have a Polish woman guide us through the Scavi. One of the most interesting places in the Vatican was ruined because she basically couldn't speak English. On the same trip we toured the Forum on our own and listened, very briefly to a guide misinform a Royal Caribbean group about the actual history of the place.

I also think a CD would have a far more accurate understanding of guide pay than you or I even though it might not include ALL guides.

Back at you on generalities

 

Maybe not so much disagreement. Your description of dockside vendors wasn't what came to mind so yes, if you hire taxis or guides and they go above and beyond and the custom in the locale is to tip, of course tip so think once I got the correct definition, we agree.

 

Now, talking about CD's, some might have a good idea of the tipping customs in certain locales but, with Regent only going to some ports once or twice a year, they may have no idea as well. A little googling will find the tipping customs for most ports and that is a good source. Agree I am not familiar with the entire world but, have been to many countries and have a good idea of where I have been.

 

Again, tipping is a personal thing and saying you should or should not tip to others is not appropriate.

[newlondon]

We do agree, Tipping is personal. I am inclined to tip for good service even if it is not part of the local culture. I have only once had it refused.

If you choose not to that is your decision and I respect it.