Guide Gratuities

[cogitosum]

Is it common practice to tip guides and /or tour bus drivers? If so, how much? Does this apply to both private and ship excursion people?

[seapenarth]

Is it common practice to tip guides and /or tour bus drivers? If so, how much? Does this apply to both private and ship excursion people?

Yes. Ship excusions are still chartered between the cruise line and tour companies. You should tip driver and guide according to how they handled tour.

[debbeck]

What is recommended tip for a full day tour? We are going with a private group...not through the cruise ship. Should we tip as a group or each person? Appreciate the help!

[MercedMike]

This has been around and around on the boards.

 

My personal guidelines are:

 

Large bus excursions -- $2 per person half day, $5 per person full day. Of course you increase or decrease for service received.

 

Private excursions, small group -- 10% to 20 % of the cost of the excursion, divided between the driver and guide.

 

YMMV.

[texancruzer]

On private tours you can discuss with the others and decide as a group how you want to handle the tip. It's up to you.

 

On cruiseline tours we always tip $10.00 for the driver and $10.00 for the guide (if there is one). This if for both dh and myself.

[Yvie]

On our private tours in Italy last month, we tipped our guides 15%. That was separate from the drivers, whom we also tipped 15%.