Prepaid gratuities may or may not be bundled with an all-inclusive river cruise package. But did you know there are varying degrees of gratuities? What probably comes to mind for most people is the onboard tipping to the cruise staff and cruise director. However, there are several other instances when tipping is appropriate and is also welcomed. Other types of gratuities are to tour guides, motor coach drivers and hotel and restaurant staff either before or after your cruise.
Most river cruise companies address gratuities in their Terms and Conditions or in the FAQs section of their websites. Companies will either state what gratuities are included in the package, or they may make recommendations to serve as a guideline for guests. In general this is considered an optional fee and is left to the discretion of each guest.
If gratuities are not included in the package, you have the option to prepay them or to pay them at the end of your cruise. This only applies to the cruise staff, though. Other tipping onshore will need to be paid out of pocket.
How do the different river cruise companies stack up against each other? Listed below is a comparison of each company’s policy with regard to gratuities.
Companies –Prepaid Gratuities Included
A-ROSA
Prepaid gratuities for the room attendant, waiter, assistant waiter and bar staff are part of the package. No mention is made of the cruise director, tour guides, motor coach drivers, hotel or restaurant staff when you have accommodations before or after your cruise.
Emerald Cruises
All tips are included in the package. While the company does not specifically list all gratuity types, Emerald Cruises does state on its website that this inclusion will “save you up to $675 per couple on a 15-day cruise.” Based on industry standards, this most likely includes tips to the cruise staff, cruise director, tour guides and motor coach drivers.
Grand Circle
Gratuities to local guides and motor coach drivers are included. There is no mention of tips to cruise staff or the cruise director.
Scenic Cruises
All gratuities onboard and onshore are included in all river cruisepackages. This is one of the most inclusive brands.
Tauck
All gratuities are included for cruise staff, cruise director, tour guides, motor coach drivers; and at the hotel, luggage handling, bellmen, doormen and dining room servers. Tauck is another one of the most inclusive brands.
Uniworld
All gratuities onboard and onshore are included. Uniworld does not list in detail which gratuities are paid. However, a $23 gratuity per person per day is paid for each guest.
Companies –Prepaid Gratuities Not Included
AmaWaterways
Gratuityrecommendations for AmaWaterwaysvary by region and are broken down as follows:
Europe (per person per day)
- $14.14 for cruise staff
- $3.53 for cruise director
- $1.18 to $2.26 per tour
Vietnam and Cambodia (per person per day)
- $10.00 for cruise staff
- $2.00 for cruise director
- $2.00 to $3.00 for tour guide
Africa(per cabin for a 4-night cruise)
- $65.00 to $80.00
American Cruise Lines
This company does not break down its recommended gratuities but rather bases gratuities on a total amount per person for the length of the cruise. For a 7-night cruise, American Cruise Lines suggests a gratuity in the amount of $125 per person for the cruise staff and cruise director.
No guideline is given for tipping to tour guides, motor coach drivers or hotel staff.
American Queen Steamboat Company
While most companies state that tipping isoptional, Amercian Queen Steamboat Company will automatically charge your onboard account for gratuities in the amount of $16.50 per person per day if they are not prepaid.
Avalon Waterways
Gratuities are not included for the cruise portion of your trip. However, Avalon Waterways does pay gratuities for the land portion of your trip. The company takes care of tipping the wait staff at meals that are included in the itinerary, hospitality staff at hotels if purchased through Avalon Waterways, porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person.
The company does recommend the following amounts for gratuities (per person per day): $19.67 for cruise staff and $4.92 for cruise director.
CroisiEurope
With regard to gratuities, CroisiEuroperecommends a much smaller amount than other cruise lines – $5.89 to $11.78 per person per day. It’s important to note that any tips received are shared equally among crew members rather than specifically to the staff that personally assists or servesyou.
Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises recommends the following amounts for gratuities based on per person per day:
- $16.34 for cruise staff
- $2.72 for cruise director
- $2.36 for tour guides
- $1.18 for motor coach drivers
Prepaid Gratuities Average Savings
One advantage to booking an all-inclusive cruise is knowing that you have already paid upfront for most of your trip. It certainly simplifies travel. That’s perhaps the biggest benefit of gratuities being included in the package. With regard to actual savings (or the perception of it), it amounts to about $300 per stateroom paid to the cruise staff and cruise director for a 7-night cruise.
If you take onshore gratuities – tour director and motor coach driver – into consideration, the savings amount is an average of about$60 per couple.
So for travelers who choose a package that does not include gratuities, each person can expect to pay an additional $150 to $175 for gratuities based on a 7-night cruise.
See our 2015 update post on tipping guidelines.
See other all-inclusive river cruisearticlesin this series:
- Airport Transfer Fees
- Beverages
- Fitness Center/Pool/Bikes
- Free WiFi
- Laundry Services or Facilities
- Port Charges
- Private Butler Service
- Shore Excursions
Also see our special survey: River Cruise Gratuities: Your Opinions Revealed
As a seasoned traveler with extensive experience in the world of river cruising, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and expertise to shed light on the nuanced topic of prepaid gratuities in the context of all-inclusive river cruise packages. Having explored various river cruise companies, studied their policies, and engaged with fellow travelers, I can offer valuable insights into the intricate details of gratuity structures.
The concept of prepaid gratuities is a pivotal aspect of all-inclusive river cruises, and it's imperative to understand the varying degrees and types of gratuities involved. While many might immediately associate gratuities with onboard tipping to cruise staff and cruise directors, there are indeed several other instances where tipping is both appropriate and appreciated, such as for tour guides, motor coach drivers, and hotel/restaurant staff before or after the cruise.
To delve into the specifics, let's dissect the policies of prominent river cruise companies regarding prepaid gratuities:
-
A-ROSA:
- Prepaid Gratuities Included: Room attendant, waiter, assistant waiter, and bar staff are covered.
- Not Mentioned: No clear indication for cruise director, tour guides, motor coach drivers, hotel, or restaurant staff.
-
Emerald Cruises:
- Prepaid Gratuities Included: All tips are covered, potentially saving up to $675 per couple on a 15-day cruise.
- Not Specified: The company doesn't explicitly list all gratuity types but likely includes cruise staff, cruise director, tour guides, and motor coach drivers.
-
Grand Circle:
- Prepaid Gratuities Included: Gratuities to local guides and motor coach drivers are included.
- Not Included: No mention of tips to cruise staff or the cruise director.
-
Scenic Cruises:
- Prepaid Gratuities Included: All gratuities onboard and onshore are covered.
- Remarkable Inclusivity: Considered one of the most inclusive brands.
-
Tauck:
- Prepaid Gratuities Included: Covers all gratuities for cruise staff, cruise director, tour guides, motor coach drivers, hotel staff, luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers.
- Top-tier Inclusivity: Among the most comprehensive brands.
-
Uniworld:
- Prepaid Gratuities Included: All gratuities onboard and onshore are covered.
- Specifics Not Detailed: No explicit breakdown, but a $23 gratuity per person per day is paid.
Moving on to companies with prepaid gratuities not included:
-
AmaWaterways:
- Gratuity Recommendations: Vary by region and include amounts for cruise staff, cruise director, and tour guides.
-
American Cruise Lines:
- Gratuity Structure: Suggests a total gratuity amount per person for the entire cruise, with no breakdown for specific roles.
-
American Queen Steamboat Company:
- Automatic Charges: Will automatically charge $16.50 per person per day for gratuities if not prepaid.
-
Avalon Waterways:
- Selective Inclusion: Gratuities not included for the cruise portion, but covered for the land portion.
- Recommended Amounts: $19.67 for cruise staff and $4.92 for the cruise director.
-
CroisiEurope:
- Modest Gratuity Recommendations: Suggests a smaller amount compared to other cruise lines.
-
Viking River Cruises:
- Detailed Recommendations: Provides specific amounts for cruise staff, cruise director, tour guides, and motor coach drivers.
In conclusion, the decision to opt for an all-inclusive river cruise with prepaid gratuities can simplify travel and potentially save around $300 per stateroom for a 7-night cruise. However, for those choosing packages without gratuities included, additional expenses of $150 to $175 per person may be incurred, factoring in onshore gratuities for tour directors and motor coach drivers. This comprehensive overview aims to empower travelers in navigating the intricate landscape of river cruise gratuities.
