Two general Questions

[palermo22]

I know you can tip extra for someone special but in general what does Viking deduct each day per person for tipping?

 

Also, do I gather that since there is no casino (meaning no gambling) that there is no bingo aboard?

[garycarla]

Here is a recent thread all about tipping.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2429995

[stretchcruz]

Jerry, here is what I found on the Viking Ocean website:

 

Our onboard staff is dedicated to providing you with the best cruise experience possible, and it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service. How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. To save you worry over whom to tip and how much, we automatically add a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $15.00 per guest, per day to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your cruise. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide your cruise experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. (Please note this charge excludes bar gratuity; a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs.) Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts or pay in cash, just stop by our Explorers’ Desk at any time. You may also wish to tip your local excursion guides or driver; we suggest doing so in cash at the end of each tour.

 

So, I have budgeted $630 for tips that I'll put on my Capital One card for points, plus I'm bringing cash to give extra to all of the nice room stewards, waiters, etc.

[KyOh]

NO BINGO!!!!! Thank goodness!

[Peregrina651]

Jerry, here is what I found on the Viking Ocean website:

 

Our onboard staff is dedicated to providing you with the best cruise experience possible, and it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service. How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. To save you worry over whom to tip and how much, we automatically add a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $15.00 per guest, per day to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your cruise. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide your cruise experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. (Please note this charge excludes bar gratuity; a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs.) Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts or pay in cash, just stop by our Explorers’ Desk at any time. You may also wish to tip your local excursion guides or driver; we suggest doing so in cash at the end of each tour.

 

So, I have budgeted $630 for tips that I'll put on my Capital One card for points, plus I'm bringing cash to give extra to all of the nice room stewards, waiters, etc.

 

The $15 pp/day won't appear on your tab until the very end of the cruise. It can be adjusted up or down. This same information that stretchcruz has given will be repeated in your cruise doc. The per diem tip added to your account is subject to change so whatever it says in your cruise docs is what you should see on your tab.

 

The 15% gratuity is already figured into the price of each drink. It is not a separate line item on the tab.

[palermo22]

Thanks - that was what I came up with as well. The only reason I asked about bingo is something for my wife to do while I work out in the gym. Apparently there is no bingo so I am sure she'll figure something out to keep busy.

[Military Guy]

I gave the chambermaid an extra tip for exceptional service. Otherwise I followed the recommend automatic gratuity guideline.

[MNJEWEL]

What currency?? Euros?

And what about money for using the bathrooms in the towns? I know on the river cruises, we needed a euro in order to use bathrooms...women only. YIKES.

[Military Guy]

What currency?? Euros?

And what about money for using the bathrooms in the towns? I know on the river cruises, we needed a euro in order to use bathrooms...women only. YIKES.

 

Euros for both.

[Vineyard View]

We bring additional USD on board - I had asked and was told that they are grateful for either - so I thing you can do what is easiest or most comfortable for you.

That said, depending on where geographically you are sailing, it could certainly make a difference in ease of currency exchange for those you tip.

We tend to book private excursions, and most of those want USD in payment, so we just add additional to cover tips on board and the independent excursions we have scheduled.