Tipping Director and Driver on PreTrip Extension

[charlielinda]

Please forgive me for popping on the Ocean cruise forum but thought you could help.  We are on a pre-trip excursion with Viking River and wondered what the tipping guidelines were for the Director we have been for four days and driver.  They have been excellent and we are being turned over to another team tomorrow.  We have paid the gratuities already for the river cruise.  Thank you so much.  

[molymoo]

It has been awhile since we took a river cruise but we have tipped the "director" and driver when they have been involved in our day to day activities on the extension ... especially when they have done a great job.  Tip whatever you think appropriate, it will be appreciated.  Keep in mind that it is entirely possible that the "director" is with a company contracted by Viking and does not work for them directly and will not be included in the pre-paid gratuities.  On some extensions you are more or less on your own and the "director" is simply there to provide information and support if and when it is needed.  In that case we generally do not tip unless we have availed ourselves of their services.  

[Symmes99]

My wife and I just completed a Viking River cruise that included a 5-day/4-night pre-cruise extension. The guidance for tipping was $2/day/person for the Tour Director and $1/day/person for the bus driver. That amounts to $20 for the TD and $10 for the bus driver. I don't remember if that guidance came from Viking or elsewhere, but we used that as a starting point. The Tour Director helped us make arrangements for a cabin upgrade on the ship, so we gave her extra. Hope this helps. 

[whyask]

1 hour ago, Symmes99 said:

My wife and I just completed a Viking River cruise that included a 5-day/4-night pre-cruise extension. The guidance for tipping was $2/day/person for the Tour Director… 

I’d be surprised at whoever that guidance was from being $2/$1 per day for any service. 
Kind of insulting if you ask me. 
The whole “tipping” topic is a viral one though so this thread may explode. 

[loriva]

On 10/9/2022 at 8:25 AM, charlielinda said:

Please forgive me for popping on the Ocean cruise forum but thought you could help.  We are on a pre-trip excursion with Viking River and wondered what the tipping guidelines were for the Director we have been for four days and driver.  They have been excellent and we are being turned over to another team tomorrow.  We have paid the gratuities already for the river cruise.  Thank you so much.  

 

This was included in one of the documents from Viking regarding our upcoming "Christmas on the Elbe" cruisetour, which also includes an extension:  "Should you choose to tip your local Viking Host, Viking Representative, local guides and/or drivers, we recommend doing so in cash.  We suggest €2 per person per day for local guides and €1 per person per day for drivers.  Please be aware that if you are taking part in an escorted pre- or post-cruise extension, the Tour Director escorting you is not included in the onboard gratuity.  We suggest €2 per person per day."