This gratuity policy is specific to Viking River Cruises and is provided for your reference. The details are based on the cruise line's official information. Please ensure that your cruise aligns with this policy. Cruise Director is not responsible for any sudden changes to the policy.
Viking River Cruises Gratuities Policy
The onboard staff is dedicated to providing you with the best cruise experience possible, and it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of their service. How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. We generally offer two ways to manage your gratuities: you can relax and enjoy your journey by pre-purchasing gratuities in your My Viking Journey account at our standard recommended rate per guest, per night, subsequently listed by destination; or, we will automatically add a discretionary service charge per guest, per night to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your cruise. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide for your cruise experience, including the onboard Program Director, waitstaff, stateroom stewards, galley staff, nautical staff and others. Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts, stop by Guest Services once you are on board.
Europe
Our standard recommended rate is $20 USD per person, per night if pre-purchased; or, we will automatically add a discretionary service charge of €20 EUR per person, per night to your shipboard account. For itineraries with land portions, this charge will also be shared with the Program Director on land.
Any additional tipping is at your discretion and must be done at the destination. Should you choose to tip your local Viking Host, Viking Representative, local guides and/or drivers, we recommend doing so in cash. We suggest €3 per person, per day for local guides and €2 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 €3 per person, per day.
Please note most restaurants include service in their prices, and it is customary to round up generously for good service.
Egypt, India and Mekong
The standard recommended rate is $10 USD per person, per night for the days spent on the land portion and $25 USD per person, per night for the days spent on board. Rates are in USD whether pre-purchased or added to your shipboard account in destination, and covers onboard staff and your Program Director. Should you wish to tip your motor coach driver for transfers and shore excursions we recommend $1 USD per person, per day. If you are taking part in a pre- or post-extension your local Viking Hosts at airports and hotels, motor coach drivers and the Viking Tour Director are not included in the onboard gratuity. We suggest $2 USD per person, per day for Viking Hosts, $1 USD per person, per day for motor coach drivers, and $10 USD per person, per day for your Viking Tour Director, which is only payable in cash at the destination.
Mississippi
Our standard recommended rate is $20 USD per person, per night. You may pre-purchase gratuities, or we will automatically add a discretionary service charge of $20 USD per person, per night to your shipboard account.
Any additional tipping is at your discretion and must be done at the destination. Should you choose to tip your local Viking Host, Viking Representative, local guides and/or drivers, we recommend doing so in cash. We suggest $5 USD per person per, day for local guides and $2 USD 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 $5 USD per person, per day.
*Policies, prices, and offers may vary and are subject to change without prior notice.