Vantage: Included tips for guides and bus drivers

Just as the title says, for 2018 these will be included in all bookings by Vantage.

 

The tip for crew is still extra. I'm OK with that, it was always having some change for the driver and guide that was annoying. By the end of the cruise, you don't mind giving the crew tip at all and with plastic it is simple.

Just as the title says, for 2018 these will be included in all bookings by Vantage.

 

The tip for crew is still extra. I'm OK with that, it was always having some change for the driver and guide that was annoying. By the end of the cruise, you don't mind giving the crew tip at all and with plastic it is simple.

 

Grand Circle includes tips, so Vantage has to do it, too. ;p

Just as the title says, for 2018 these will be included in all bookings by Vantage.

 

The tip for crew is still extra. I'm OK with that, it was always having some change for the driver and guide that was annoying. By the end of the cruise, you don't mind giving the crew tip at all and with plastic it is simple.

 

We are on a Vantage river cruise/land trip departing on 14 Jan. Glad to see this change in tipping. We will still need to tip city hosts, ship crew and Adventure Leader.

Grand Circle includes tips, so Vantage has to do it, too. ;p

 

And GCT stopped allowing crew tips to be charged to the ship account and paid by credit card. OP says Vantage allows this. Can anyone verify that charging is still permitted on Vantage?

I would bet the ability to charge ship crew tips may be dependent on what country you are in. In our Planning Guide for our Jan trip to Myanmar, it states all tips must be paid in cash. The recommended amounts are in US dollars.

And GCT stopped allowing crew tips to be charged to the ship account and paid by credit card. OP says Vantage allows this. Can anyone verify that charging is still permitted on Vantage?

 

To clarify, when we got off the River Voyager in Romania in Oct 16 you could charge the tips. Someone said Myanmar requires cash, I think the Douro might as well.

And GCT stopped allowing crew tips to be charged to the ship account and paid by credit card. OP says Vantage allows this. Can anyone verify that charging is still permitted on Vantage?

 

A second thought: curious why Vantage wouldn't post clarification here? There are few threads specifically related to their line, wouldn't be hard to spot. And free publicity?

 

Just interests me how some lines stop by and others don't use the platform, especially a line that doesn't allow travel agents. Hope to be proved wrong here.

I would bet the ability to charge ship crew tips may be dependent on what country you are in. In our Planning Guide for our Jan trip to Myanmar, it states all tips must be paid in cash. The recommended amounts are in US dollars.

We did Vantage Myanmar November 2016 and charged tips then. Things seem to be changing rapidly in multiple directions. Do NOT expect to find an ATM on every corner. For best exchange rate take US$100 bills. Souvenir vendors quoted prices in US dollars, so small bills are also useful. If you say "maybe later" to a vendor when starting on your morning tour, they WILL remember you and expect you to buy. Some places will accept Thai currency as well as US.

We did Vantage Myanmar November 2016 and charged tips then. Things seem to be changing rapidly in multiple directions. Do NOT expect to find an ATM on every corner. For best exchange rate take US$100 bills. Souvenir vendors quoted prices in US dollars, so small bills are also useful. If you say "maybe later" to a vendor when starting on your morning tour, they WILL remember you and expect you to buy. Some places will accept Thai currency as well as US.

 

Also read that $100 bills are best to bring for exchange and the best place to exchange money is at the airport but unfortunately our flight doesn't arrive until 1030pm so they will be closed.

Here are Vantage's guidelines for our upcoming Douro cruise:

 

 

• New for 2018: Gratuity for Local Guides/ Drivers now included!
  
• New for 2018: Gratuity for Regional Experts now included!
  
• Vantage Cruise Director/City Host: €3-5 per person per day
  
• Ship Crew/Concierge: €12 per person per day
  
• Porterage: Gratuities are included, except in Customs areas; porterage is included at hotels
  
• Outside Dining: Varies according to local customs; your Cruise Director or City Host will advise
  

Please note: Cash payment and gratuities are desirable for this trip. Credit Card payment loses approximately 25% when cash comes out due to taxes.

I will note that gratuities are probably taxable in any case. If you pay in cash you are facilitating tax avoidance. That said, I would probably pay cash.

 

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