Tipping on independent tours question

[Donyb]

Maybe this has been covered before but since I'm relatively new to this threads, I have the following question and am looking for a few opinions. We are on the 6/20 Eastern Med on the Noordam. We've booked some independent tours with others we've met on the trip thread. Should we tip a flat rate per person, a percentage of the total tour cost or just do what we each think is best? Suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

[grannynurse]

This may classify us as stingey but we usually give $3-5 to the tour guide and slightly less to the driver. I can't remember us ever not giving a tip to the guide and driver. We don't tip an owner/operator though, and we do not tip ships' officers.

GN

[dakrewser]

Check the "tourist guide" web sites (Fodor's, Rick Steves, etc.) for the countries/cities you'll be in which should give you a good guide to tipping in those areas. It can vary considerably from one country to the next.