Tipping for Drinks Aboard

The thread on drink packages started me thinking...

How do European river cruises handle tipping on drinks bought at the bar?

I assume we sign as with our ocean cruises - but are gratuities typically added to the bill, or are cruisers expected to add a tip themselves. ...and if so - is the expectation for a 18-20% US-level tip or a European one? For what it's worth, we'll be on AMA, cruising the Rhine.

Mark

The thread on drink packages started me thinking...

How do European river cruises handle tipping on drinks bought at the bar?

 

I assume we sign as with our ocean cruises - but are gratuities typically added to the bill, or are cruisers expected to add a tip themselves. ...and if so - is the expectation for a 18-20% US-level tip or a European one? For what it's worth, we'll be on AMA, cruising the Rhine.

 

Mark

I'm referring to tipping for individual drinks - this would be in addition to the usual per-diem tips to the crew and CD.

With Scenic the gratuities were included so we just signed the chit

At the end of the cruise you could add to the tip pool if you wanted but not required

I would think in Europe they do not expect 20% tip so maybe the cruise line will give you a guideline...maybe 10%:confused:

When onshore you usually "round up" to the next Euro

The price of the drink will be on the bill without any tip or service charge and you just sign it. At the end of the cruise you can give tips individually to anyone you wish.

The price of the drink will be on the bill without any tip or service charge and you just sign it. At the end of the cruise you can give tips individually to anyone you wish.

This is true on Avalon and AMA. We tipped in cash as we went for drinks or added a tip to the bar bill.