Viking Tour Director - Tipping?

[Traveler456]

Viking extensions (pre or post cruise) include services of a Viking Tour Director at the hotel to help you plan your stay.

If they assist you with local travel and sightseeing information, do you tip them?  If so, what guidelines do you follow as to the amount to tip?

Thank you.

[Jjg34219]

We tipped and I think there were recommended amounts on MVJ. Our host in Basel was great, Anchorage and Vancouver not so much. 

[KBs mum]

Follow local tipping customs

[longterm]

22 hours ago, Traveler456 said:

Viking extensions (pre or post cruise) include services of a Viking Tour Director at the hotel to help you plan your stay.

If they assist you with local travel and sightseeing information, do you tip them?  If so, what guidelines do you follow as to the amount to tip?

Thank you.

We tipped our director in Athens, because not only did she help us find a good place to find an inexpensive suitcase (to haul back treasures), but she also arranged a driver for us. She also directed us to a nearby Greek restaurant that was home-owned and really excellent.
 

[donaldsc]

The tour director is management.  Unless they do something way above and beyond what is expected I don't tip them.  My general philosophy is that you do not tip management.

 

DON

[Haqdeluxe]

Pretty sure it is the Viking agent(s) that generally man the Viking table and act as a Viking concierge of sorts for those on Viking extensions. These folks are typically employed by Viking as contractors.  On past occasions we've had one of these agents fill the role of tour guide for a planned walking tour, part of the extension. 

[longterm]

13 hours ago, donaldsc said:

The tour director is management.  Unless they do something way above and beyond what is expected I don't tip them.  My general philosophy is that you do not tip management.

 

DON

The woman we had in Athens was a local; she was only with us for those 4 days, but we were really glad to have her. She had to organize Covid testing the morning before our departure--which turned into a bit of a mess when the medical technician showed up almost an hour late after a wreck on the freeway, and the temperature in the hallway outside the meeting room was about 80 degrees. She also had to be at the hotel the next morning at something like 3am to get us all to the airport. I know, it was her job, but she did it particularly well.

[donaldsc]

3 hours ago, longterm said:

The woman we had in Athens was a local; she was only with us for those 4 days, but we were really glad to have her. She had to organize Covid testing the morning before our departure--which turned into a bit of a mess when the medical technician showed up almost an hour late after a wreck on the freeway, and the temperature in the hallway outside the meeting room was about 80 degrees. She also had to be at the hotel the next morning at something like 3am to get us all to the airport. I know, it was her job, but she did it particularly well.

 

In that case she is not management and tipping is appropriate.  

 

DON