Gratuities for personal tours

[gottogocruisin]

I know this has been on the CC boards, but I just want to make sure that we do what we should with a St. Petersburg fantastic cruise company Anastasia. There are three couples each paying approximately $500+ for the two day tour. Just tell us what we need to tip to be fair. So many posts say a percentage etc. and we just want to know what others do so that we do not stiff anyone. thanks

[RTanner]

I know this has been on the CC boards, but I just want to make sure that we do what we should with a St. Petersburg fantastic cruise company Anastasia. There are three couples each paying approximately $500+ for the two day tour. Just tell us what we need to tip to be fair. So many posts say a percentage etc. and we just want to know what others do so that we do not stiff anyone. thanks

 

For a full day tour we normall pay between $5-$10 per person per day to the guide (depending on the quality of the the guide) and half that amount to the driver. If the tour guides in St. Petersburg are as good as most on CC say they are, we'll probably up the figure a little.

 

But, that's just us. I'm sure some pay more and a few pay less. I once read a book advising the following:

 

Tour escort (Coordinator; may or may not act as a guide): $6 or $7 per person per day

Driver (Provides chauffeur services and limited assistance with luggage) : $3 per person per day

Local Guide (Offers in-depth information at specific locations. There may be one or many guides along a tour program): $2 per person per half day of sightseeing.

Private car tours: $12 to $16 per person per day for each day of sightseeing.

 

I believe some guides are worth more than $6-$7 a day.

[tracytraveller]

Actually I don't have St. Petersburg experience, but I plan to go there this year.

As a rule, if I really liked the tour, I leave the guide 10-20USD and 1-5USD for the driver per couple per day.

If it is a sort of private tour, I can leave the guide up to 50USD per couple per day, if I really liked the tour

[gottogocruisin]

Thanks I appreciate your input. This just makes me crazy when you have to make sure you tip enough. If the person is wonderful we have no problem with the tip, but what about those who are just OK?

[clmom]

RTanner, I see in your signature you will be on the Constellation for a 2010 Baltic cruise. What is your sailing date? We are on the June 9th sailing.

[RTanner]

RTanner, I see in your signature you will be on the Constellation for a 2010 Baltic cruise. What is your sailing date? We are on the June 9th sailing.

We're leaving the week before, on the 28th of May.

 

This is our first Baltic, as our other cruises have been Caribbean and Alaska. We've been in Amsterdam before but this will be a first for the rest of the ports. This will also be our first Celebrity and we're really looking forward to it.

[LINGBER]

Do you tip at the end of each day or at the end of the 2 day tour? We are taking a private 2 day tour and your thread got me thinking:)

[LINGBER]

Most private tours in St Petersburg do not expect payment until some time on the last day so there would be no need to tip on day one. We used Masha and paid $240 per adult for the 2 days and then tipped 10%.

 

So do you split the 10% between the driver and Guide say 65% to 35%? We are doing a private tour for 4 people and the cost is $1400.00. (Yikes! It sounds much better at $350pp:) )

 

My tour ticket says:

 

"Tipping: Gratuities to the guide and driver are not included in the tour price. The amounts you wish to give to your guide and driver after a job well-done should be in line with the western standards."

 

Western standards to me means 15-20%, but that is very high for most places we have visited in Europe.

[sbhdmh]

"In line with Western standards" sounds a bit dubious to me. As you indicate in the US 15%-20% is standard. This would be shocking to some Europeans who are not used to tipping at all. Our group consisted of Americans, British and Canadians (Russian ex-pats). 10% seemed the right amount for our combination of nationalities. Masha took care of splitting the tips as she deemed appropiate with the driver. Of course since she is starting her own company she is in a position to set a price that she considers fair which is a bit different than a guide hired by the day through a larger company. That being said her hourly rate for guide service was $15/hour. The 10% tip from our group was therefore equal to an additional full day's wages, or 50% more than she "contracted" for. Even with splitting it with the driver it's not a bad gratuity. If you use RTanner's guidelines you will come out right about at 10% of your $350 pp for the driver and private guide amounts.

[LHT28]

When I had contacted Anastasia I seem to recall she gave recommended amount for tipping in her documents ...I think it was 10% to the guide & 5% to the driver.

So $35 pp for 2 days for the guide & $15-20 for the driver.

 

I do not think approx $17. per day pp for 8 full hours of touring is not too much.

You may even want to tip more by the time you are done.;)

 

Lyn

[Ashland]

Do you tip at the end of each day or at the end of the 2 day tour? We are taking a private 2 day tour and your thread got me thinking:)

I have been watching this post and would also like the answer to this question,tip after each day or at the end of 2nd day...haven't seen it yet...Also if you have a private 2 day tour just the two of us is everyone saying 10-15 % of total tour cost ? Thanks do much for your reply ...

[LHT28]

I have been watching this post and would also like the answer to this question,tip after each day or at the end of 2nd day...haven't seen it yet...Also if you have a private 2 day tour just the two of us is everyone saying 10-15 % of total tour cost ? Thanks do much for your reply ...

Most tip at the end of the 2nd day ...yes 10% of total tour cost

If your tour is $500. per couple then tip $.50. to the guide

You can tip what ever you like but....

 

You also pay at the beginning of 2nd day in most cases

You need to check with the guide to see what they do for payment ...cash is better.

Some will charge a surcharge for credit cards

[RTanner]

Do you tip at the end of each day or at the end of the 2 day tour? We are taking a private 2 day tour and your thread got me thinking:)

Speaking for myself, we always tip at the end of the tour. I always try to give the guide his/her tip separate from the driver, which I try to give in person if at all possible.

 

We also don't automatically give the maximum suggested amount. Some tour guides are about as personable and helpful as a grapefruit (I've found this particularly with Grey Line Tours). If we get a guide such as this I am never embarrassed to give a pittance.

 

The tour which we're taking tells us that they don't collect money for the tour until the second day? That seemed strange and kind of a cavalier way of doing business but it's their call? Does anyone have any insight into this concept?

[gottogocruisin]

Thanks so much for your response. I really am pleased that so many posted. Hope this post helped others also.