missymoose13 Posted July 14, 2009 #1 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We have booked all our shore excursions through RCCL. I know we could have done it much cheaper but being our first cruise, peace of mind is worth it for me. Do we tip our guides? How much? Cozumel - Sea Turtle Snorkel Grand Caymen - Reef and Wreck Snorkel Jamica - Chukka ATV Safari Thank you for your help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordiebing Posted July 14, 2009 #2 Share Posted July 14, 2009 No they make enough by getting backhanders when they take you to certain cafes and toutist shops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc320 Posted July 14, 2009 #3 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Booking thru the cruise line I most likely would not... "IF" they did something truely helpful...over & above just running a tour...then yes... if I booked on my own..then most likely I would... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc320 Posted July 14, 2009 #4 Share Posted July 14, 2009 No they make enough by getting backhanders when they take you to certain cafes and toutist shops I have a feeling this isn't limited to just the cruise line tours... I'm sure the local guides help out their friends & family by making sure the tour stops at their business.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English_in_Spain Posted July 14, 2009 #5 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We usually tip our tour guides and the bus driver - yes we are from the UK and we tip :rolleyes:. We just tip a few Euros depending on how good they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogimax Posted July 14, 2009 #6 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Does anyone know if RCCL has any written guidelines on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_nyc Posted July 14, 2009 #7 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We usually tip our tour guides and the bus driver - yes we are from the UK and we tip :rolleyes:. We just tip a few Euros depending on how good they are. We always tip the tour guides and bus drivers if they are good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mag0737 Posted July 14, 2009 #8 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I booked most of my excursions through the ship. And yes, I usually tipped them. Just a couple bucks, $5 or so - it's to let them know they did a great job and I know they appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted July 14, 2009 #9 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Depends if the "tour" gave us more than expected, or if it was what we paid for! We've had some excursions that simply take you there, and bring you back....not "tippable" IMO! We've had some excursions that really went out of their way to give us a great time...and we did tip those guides! Base your decision on your experience. You don't HAVE to tip...you won't be considered rude or cheap....and if they think that, that's THEIR problem---you won't see them ever again! Tip if it's worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlbkty Posted July 14, 2009 #10 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We always book through the cruiseline, and we always tip. It doesn't have to be a lot. Just something to show you appreciate their time. If they are VERY good, we tip more. The norm for us is about $10 for both DH and I. However, on one excursion where the travel guide was VERY good, DH tipped $20. She nearly fell off her feet, but thanked us over and over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyukuk Posted July 14, 2009 #11 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Almost always, nothing excessive a few dollars or Euros. Only exception is if they ask me to tip them or hint heavily that I should, in which case they get nothing !!! luv Cy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mafig Posted July 14, 2009 #12 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Almost always tip both the tour guide and bus driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unklez Posted July 14, 2009 #13 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I do not see the need to tip for ship arranged tours unless you have special needs or the driver/guide goes over and beyond in helping you in some other way. For private tours, we tip $20 to the guide and $10 to the driver for the whole family. Both the guide and the driver have always seemed happy getting that tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixCruiser Posted July 14, 2009 #14 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We also tip the guides and drivers. ### Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddcan Posted July 14, 2009 #15 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I hear if you pre-pay your tips, it includes excursion tips. :D Sorry, I could not resist. I usually tip a few dollars. Hey, I'm on vacation. I'm in a good mood, and besides, I want to be let off the bus at the end, so yeah, I tip, and the door seems to magically open, allowing me to get off the tour. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amybeth4 Posted July 14, 2009 #16 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I've yet to be on a tour (and I've only taken ship-sponsored excursions) where we weren't "reminded" at the end that "tips are appreciated." :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lv2bcruzin Posted July 14, 2009 #17 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We always tip regardless if the excursion is booked through RCCL or independently. Granted the service must be as expected, which it usually is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galavant3 Posted July 14, 2009 #18 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Yes, we always tip somewhere around $5 per person, more for exceptional service. We usually book through the cruiseline for convenience. We've been fortunate and had great guides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted July 14, 2009 #19 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I have tipped on the majority of my excursions (regardless if they were one's I booked through the cruise line or on my own). Most frequently we have tipped $2 to $10 as a couple to the guides (based on level of service) and $2 to the bus driver. I have not tipped if I felt the person did a below average job or (as another posted mentioned) if they solicited the tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted July 14, 2009 #20 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I've yet to be on a tour (and I've only taken ship-sponsored excursions) where we weren't "reminded" at the end that "tips are appreciated." :rolleyes: I don't mind so much if there is one gentle mention of this (some people truly may not think to tip unless it is somehow brought to their attention); it is the few times where the person has repeatedly referred to tips or was somewhat aggressive with an annoucement about tips that turned me off to the point that I did not tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted July 14, 2009 #21 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We always tip (app. $5 pp) unless it was a really bad tour guide, but that seldom happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRadle Posted July 14, 2009 #22 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We tip bus drivers about $2 pp if there was no "tour" given. Those that point out all of the local tidbits get more. We've never tipped a bus driver more than $20 for a family of 5. The other excursions...it depends. There is always something, it just depends on how great...or not great the excursion was. A really great excursion will get about $5 a head from us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelby_36 Posted July 14, 2009 #23 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We always tip our guides whther we book them ourselves or through RCCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jst Posted July 14, 2009 #24 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We usually do especially if weve enjoyed ourselves, and yes we tip the driver and the guide, it's a nice way to say thankyou for giving us a great day out:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittycatwlv Posted July 14, 2009 #25 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I don't tip an excursion I booked through RCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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