Quick Guide: Tipping on River Cruises in Europe

You do need to know what to do about tipping on river cruises in Europe.  Especially in the UK where we don’t have a culture of tipping, it can seem daunting for new customers. 

If you have sailed on an ocean cruise you will be familiar with either pre paying your tips or having them added to your on board account,  or they have been included in the cost of your cruise usually as a special offer (which is what Viking have been offering for sailing in 2019 and 2020).

We have put together a simple checklist to help you compare inclusions by operator to help you budget for your cruise.  Being forewarned is being forearmed.

Tipping on river cruising is different to ocean cruising gratuities, so don’t worry

River cruise tipping is almost exclusively discretionary, so you’re always in charge.

Tipping on river cruises for coach drivers and excursion guides on river cruises

Firstly, these are generally not included, even where some operators say “gratuities included”. Not included for Avalon, Riviera and Saga.  We would absolutely say a 1 Euro tip per trip for a driver would be most appreciated.  For local guides, 2 Euros for a good tour would be in order.

Which river cruising companies include all gratuities?

Avalon – gratuities are included for ship staff and Cruise Manager.  They are not included for local guides and drivers, so again the recommended small tip per person would be most appreciated if you think you have had good service (please be aware that this reflects the UK package, other offers may vary).

APT – Gratuities are included for all services included in the itinerary

Emerald includes all gratuities both on ship and on land. If however you are in a hotel as part of your trip, then gratuities are not included for that part of the journey.

Scenic includes all gratuities both on ship and on land. If however you are in a hotel as part of your trip, then gratuities are not included for that part of the journey.

Tauck  there is nothing to pay tipping wise  – in fact if a staff member accepts a gratuity, they will be dismissed.

Uniworld – all gratuities either at land or on river or in hotel are included.  Job done!

Viking – for 2019 & 2020 Viking are including gratuities as part of their early booking offer.  Check at the time of booking to confirm whether this is still available.

Which river cruise companies include ON BOARD gratuities only

Avalon Waterways – All gratuities are included for the onboard crew

Emerald Waterways – All gratuities are included for the onboard crew

Viking River Cruises – All gratuities are included for the onboard crew

So just remember to take a few extra euro’s for tips to the local tour guides on excursions

Which river cruise companies don’t include any tipping at all

The main river cruise companies which don’t include gratuities are: Saga,  Riviera, Amadeus, CroisiEurope and AmaWaterways. The operator’s recommended daily amount varies from around €5-€15 a day per guest, to include the Cruise Manager and other staff.  This does not include the local guides or coach drivers.  Of course, gratuities are discretionary, dependent on service.

So, as an example, a 7 night holiday including seven tours on board an AmaWaterways’ vessel would cost, if guidelines were followed, €119 per passenger;  i.e. €15 a day for staff and cruise manager and then €2 a day between the coach driver and local guide.  For Riviera Travel the recommended guidelines are slightly lower at €5-€10 per guest per day, so €35 – €70 per guest for a 7 night cruise.

All operators will stress that gratuities are absolutely discretionary.  They are generally collected in an envelope at the end of the cruise.  You are therefore entirely free to make your own decisions, which may be above, or below the operators’ guidelines, depending on your experience.

How are tips given on a river cruise?

Individual tour guides which are contracted on a day by day basis by your Cruise Director and  coach drivers are generally given a small amount of cash on a daily basis if you would like to. As suggested a euro for the driver and 2-3 euros for the tour guide.

If you are a customer on a ship where the staff and cruise director are offered discretionary gratuities, then here is what happens.  You will find an envelope in your cabin towards the end of the cruise.  This will allow you to place cash into the unmarked envelope.  The cash needs to be Euros.  You can then place it in a box near reception.  However, you will be given instructions at your disembarkation meeting as to how exactly the crew would like this done.  Some river cruise lines have separate envelopes for the cruise director and then for the other staff.  Sometimes this is because the Cruise Director is self employed.

Some vessels do allow you to add your discretionary amount by card to your account, but a definitive list is impossible.

Don’t forget to download our river cruise comparison sheet, by clicking the image below, to see what each operator includes and help work out the relative costs for your chosen holiday.

If you need a little more personal advice on tipping on a river cruise, just give us a call!

Alex Leete