Tipping for shore excursions
 

OK, I lied, I said I would not ask anymore questions regarding our shore excursions in Alaska. However, what about tipping for shore excursions? We are taking 3 very expensive excursions, what percentage do you tip for excusions that costs $200.00pp?

You'll get a variety of replies here, but I don't use a percentage of the cost to figure tips for shore excursions. Standard for me is $1 a person for a half day trip and $2 a person for a full day trip. Shore excursions from the ship are greatly overpriced as it is, and I think this is enough. Try to get your shore excursions from independent operators if you can.

I would think one or two dollars, for any price excursion, would be really tightwaddish. For a $200 tour I wouldn't think of less than $10pp, unless it turned out to be a terrible tour. Granted, the tours are overpriced, but that is not the fault of the tour guide and I suspect my husband and I would give the guide minimum $20, probably more.

Thank you renaissance and desertduds.

I don't tip for excursions through the ship...call me cheap, but 200 dollars is plenty to go around.

However, I definitely tip for independent excursions. Last year we went on a great $40 pp snorkeling excursion in Freeport, the vendor never once mentioned tipping. Our group of three were the only ones who remained behind and tipped the leader (a $20), out of probably 25 people on the excursion. Go with your instinct cd!

All our excursions are independent. Thanks Joan!

I would say go with your excitement level. My friend was so excited about tour guide she tipped her 50% of excusion cost. Year later she still talking about how tour guide poured her heart and filled up whole bus with it...go figure!

I would be uncomfortable handing over $1 or $2 as a tip. Usually, the tour operators are terrific and add much enhancement to the experience. On a recent Caribbean trip that was cut short by weather, I gave the tour guide $5, although the tour was only about $20. In short, the tip for a tour guide, whether independent or thru the ship, lies within the comfort zone of the tipper!

If I was on receiving end of a $1 I would say 'it is too much, 'thanks' would be enough'

When we book our independent cruises we give a $10 tip for 1/2 day (that's actually $5 per person) tours and $20 tip for full day ($10 per person). From others I've talked to this seems about average.

Thanks everyone, you have made our decision much easier.