Cashless cruising and tips

[judyzoo]

Does everything get charged to an onboard account in river cruising, as it does in ocean cruising? What about tips -- charged to the account, or paid in cash? My first river cruise is approaching, and it's going to be a new experience after all of my ocean cruises. So, any help will be appreciated.

[anandaindonesia]

My same question. Thank you.

 

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[GUT2407]

Who with.

 

Many river cruises are all inclusive, so there is no extra others aren't.

[judyzoo]

I'll be on the Select Explorer, and I'm sure that there will be charges not covered by the fare.

[teachberry]

I can only answer from my Viking experience. Yes, if you have any charges, they go to your onboard account.

[TravelerThom]

I'll be on the Select Explorer, and I'm sure that there will be charges not covered by the fare.

What CRUISE LINE??

 

I have been on a number of lines, and on all of those ship charges went on your room bill to be settled at the end by cash or charge. I can't recall anyone tipping on the boat immediately for service (eg giving the bar person a Euro or so). If tips on the boat are not included, or if service is so great that you are tipping extra, that is handled at the end of the cruise. On many (most?) Non-inclusive lines, crew tips are pooled and usually (not always) this one large tip can be either cash or charged to your account. If you wish to tip an individual for particularly good service that would be direct cash, generally near the end of the cruise. Some lines expect you to tip your local guides and drivers individually, which can be a PITA always having to have appropriate denominations. Some lines (eg Grand Circle) still expect you to tip the boat crew, but cover the small local tips to eliminate the small change issue. If we knew who you cruising with you would get more specific responses.

 

Thom

[CarlyDawwg's Ma]

I'll be on the Select Explorer, and I'm sure that there will be charges not covered by the fare.

 

 

I've just given their website a looksee and I have found a mention of an "automated onboard tipping system." My best guess is that the amount of tips are determined automatically by them and added to an onboard account (your credit card on file) in which you'd close out at the end of your trip.

 

You may want to clarify the meaning of "automated onboard tipping system." in particular, what amounts they deem appropriate. Better than an unpleasant surprise at the end of the cruise.

[gnome12]

What CRUISE LINE??

 

I have been on a number of lines, and on all of those ship charges went on your room bill to be settled at the end by cash or charge. I can't recall anyone tipping on the boat immediately for service (eg giving the bar person a Euro or so). If tips on the boat are not included, or if service is so great that you are tipping extra, that is handled at the end of the cruise. On many (most?) Non-inclusive lines, crew tips are pooled and usually (not always) this one large tip can be either cash or charged to your account. If you wish to tip an individual for particularly good service that would be direct cash, generally near the end of the cruise. Some lines expect you to tip your local guides and drivers individually, which can be a PITA always having to have appropriate denominations. Some lines (eg Grand Circle) still expect you to tip the boat crew, but cover the small local tips to eliminate the small change issue. If we knew who you cruising with you would get more specific responses.

 

Thom

 

I agree about local guides and drivers. If those aren't already covered then you need small change (1 and 2 Euro coins) for tipping off the ship. Anything on board is either prepaid, goes on your account, or in some cases, expected in cash at the end of your trip. Whatever it is, it should be documented in your pre-departure information.

[FuelScience]

What CRUISE LINE??

 

Thom

 

The OP is cruising with Select Voyages. I believe that the Select Explorer used to be Vantage's River Explorer.

 

FuelScience

 

http://www.select-voyages.com/en/

[philw1776]

I can only answer from my Viking experience. Yes, if you have any charges, they go to your onboard account.

 

Yes onboard charges can go onto your onboard account including tips

HOWEVER, Viking recommends a 2 Euro tip to your tour guide per tour and a 1 Euro tip to the bus driver, so not cashless.

 

Others like Uniworld put this under their all inclusive, although some guests despite the inclusiveness sometimes tip folks extra like a favorite butler, etc.

Edited August 4, 2016 by philw1776

[webfoot]

When I book my cruises with Avalon, I prepay tips to both CD and staff. Anything that you have in the bar, laundry services, beauty salon go on your onboard account to be paid at the end of the cruise.

 

 

Pat

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[Clay Clayton]

Yes onboard charges can go onto your onboard account including tips

HOWEVER, Viking recommends a 2 Euro tip to your tour guide per tour and a 1 Euro tip to the bus driver, so not cashless.

 

correct, they "can" but it isn't automatic like it is these days on most ocean lines. For our April Viking cruise, one had to stand in line and speak directly with one of the two reception folks to settle up one's bill. This included directing them as to whether to put the suggested gratuity on the account. While I appreciated that some like the fact that it wasn't automatically added, for me, it was a pain to have to deal with it in person.

[judyzoo]

Thank you all for your input. It does sound a bit different from ocean cruising (which works very well and smoothly). I think I'll need to ask some more questions of my agent about this particular cruise.

[Marlster]

Thank you all for your input. It does sound a bit different from ocean cruising (which works very well and smoothly). I think I'll need to ask some more questions of my agent about this particular cruise.

 

Good idea, check with talking directly with cruiseline or your agent. I am going with Scenic where everything is included, I dont need any money whatsoever, not even a shipboard account with this line, everything is inlcuded, even alcohol.

Marlster

[sunsetbeachgal]

Good idea, check with talking directly with cruiseline or your agent. I am going with Scenic where everything is included, I dont need any money whatsoever, not even a shipboard account with this line, everything is inlcuded, even alcohol.

 

Marlster

 

 

SCenic absolutely included all tips, which we really liked. I even saw the cruise director handing out Euros bills to the tour escorts in one town, presumably the tips for them and the bus driver. Very classy!

[judyzoo]

I've found that Select does not include gratuities (as expected), but will operate on a sign and sail basis at least on our sailing.