River Cruise Gratuities
Included or extra — and how to compare fares fairly either way.
Get Free River Cruise QuotesRiver cruise gratuities are one of the clearest differences between lines — and one of the easiest costs to forget when comparing fares.
Included or Extra: River Cruise Gratuities by Line Style
Lines fall into two camps. The more inclusive lines build gratuities into the fare: Tauck, Scenic, Uniworld and Emerald all describe tips for their onboard crew as included, and most also cover the local guides on included tours. Other lines, including Viking and AmaWaterways, leave river cruise gratuities to the guest, publishing a suggested amount per person per day for the crew, plus guidance for guides and drivers ashore.
Neither approach is better in itself. A fare with tips included looks higher but has no surprise at the end; a fare without them looks lower but adds a predictable daily amount. When you compare two sailings, add the suggested gratuities to the fare of the line that does not include them. Only then do the two prices really line up. Because lines update their policies, always confirm the current wording on the line’s own booking terms.
| Line style | Gratuities | How to compare |
|---|---|---|
| More inclusive (e.g. Tauck, Scenic, Uniworld, Emerald) | Included in the fare for crew; guides usually included | Compare the fare as it stands |
| Pay-as-you-go (e.g. Viking, AmaWaterways) | Suggested per day, added onboard or prepaid | Add suggested tips for every night of the cruise |
| Excursions on any line | Guides and drivers sometimes tipped separately | Read each line’s note on tours |
Prepay or Pay Onboard?
Where gratuities are extra, some lines let you prepay them before you sail. Prepaying does not usually change the amount, but it fixes the cost in your home currency and leaves nothing to settle on the last night. Paying onboard gives you flexibility to adjust. Either way, budget for it from the start so it is part of your comparison rather than an afterthought.
Many travelers also carry a little local cash for guides and coach drivers on optional excursions, where tips may not be covered. Check your line’s guidance so you neither double-tip nor leave someone out.
Tipping Fairly Without Overspending
- Find your line’s current gratuity policy before you compare fares.
- Add suggested daily tips to any fare that does not include them.
- Check whether included tours already cover the guide’s tip.
- Keep small notes in local currency for optional tours and transfers.
- If service falls short, raise it onboard rather than silently cutting the tip.
River crews are small, and the same people often serve you breakfast, clean your cabin and help you off the gangway. A fair gratuity is part of the trip’s real cost; the saving is in knowing it upfront.
River Cruise Gratuity Questions
Are river cruise gratuities included?
On some lines, yes. Tauck, Scenic, Uniworld and Emerald fold gratuities for the crew (and, on most of them, local guides) into the fare. On lines such as Viking and AmaWaterways, gratuities are generally extra, with a suggested amount per day. Policies change, so check the current terms for your line and sailing.
Who receives river cruise gratuities?
Typically the ship’s crew as a whole, often the cruise director separately, and the local guides and coach drivers on excursions. Each line explains how its tips are shared.
Can I change the amount?
Where gratuities are not included, lines suggest an amount and many let you adjust it at reception. Tipping is meant to reflect service; if something went wrong, tell the crew so it can be fixed.
Compare Fares With Tips Counted In
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will line up river cruise quotes with gratuities included or added, so you compare the true cost.
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