Tipping on Alaska Excursions

[EMc&DrS]

We are used to tipping at the end of excursions on Caribbean cruises, but we are new to Alaska. Some of these excursions are $300-$400 a person. I'm curious--what do most people tip after an excursion that cost several hundred dollars per person?

[rodndonna]

22 minutes ago, EMc&DrS said:

We are used to tipping at the end of excursions on Caribbean cruises, but we are new to Alaska. Some of these excursions are $300-$400 a person. I'm curious--what do most people tip after an excursion that cost several hundred dollars per person?

 

Let me start with just off an Alaskan cruise and the "white pass' Excursion - $100 or $150 pp (don't recall) - and MOST people got it for free as it was a booking bonus (we paid as we were a Casino room).

 

Much to my amazement (and sadly so), we were almost half way down the car and not a single person in front of us tipped. They all seem to love the tour, but then turned and looked out the window as the poor lad came through the car at the end.

 

We gave $20 and he seemed very appreciative. It 'sounded' like more folks behind up tipped after that as I heard a few more "I appreciate it" from the lad.

 

 

[PACD_JG]

37 minutes ago, rodndonna said:

Much to my amazement (and sadly so), we were almost half way down the car and not a single person in front of us tipped. They all seem to love the tour, but then turned and looked out the window as the poor lad came through the car at the end.

Just curious, since I'm about to go on this soon...

 

What exactly are we tipping for?  Is this narrated?  Food and drinks provided?  I watched some videos and it looks like a train ride...or am I missing something?

[rodndonna]

5 minutes ago, PACD_JG said:

Just curious, since I'm about to go on this soon...

 

What exactly are we tipping for?  Is this narrated?  Food and drinks provided?  I watched some videos and it looks like a train ride...or am I missing something?

 

There were a couple of young men on ours, one narrated and one walked up and down the cars answering questions through the trip. They switched at the end, and the narrator came through the cars to meet us all, take any last questions.

[LJProk]

We mostly did $40 total for our family of 3 - in some cases that meant we were tipping the bus driver $40 and the boat crew $40 in the same excursion. For whitewater rafting in Denali our guide was amazing and he worked hard that day we ended up tipping $100 total.

[rkacruiser]

My Nephew has worked as a tour guide/driver for an Anchorage tour company.  His experience receiving gratuities at the end of the tour ranged from zero to overly generous.  Being an Alaskan resident and residing in the Anchorage area, I believe that he provided commentary that others may not have been able to do.  He was not offended by those who offered zero and was very appreciative of those who chose to give him a tip.  

[JeffElizabeth]

I pay $20 but that may go down depending on the tour or effort.