We are going on a barge trip on Canal du Midi next year. We will have the whole boat for our group of six. What is the protocol for tipping the owners (driver, chef) and their crew?

We tipped 10% each on our 22 person barge trip. That would be EACH. Yours is smaller--I think 15% but I also think they will suggest a level.

For our family of 6, the barge is $17,000. 10% is $1700. Close to $300 per person. Seems high. Or am I being stingy? Not sure if there is even a crew, maybe just the owner couple.

You're spending $17K and you're worried about giving a 10% tip. I can guarantee you that your crew won't consider the tip to be excessive when they know how much you're spending.

if the barge is tipping abandon ship.

For the level of service you will be getting 10% would be a minimum in my opinion-as I have already said.

Unless the barge is the QEII surely $17000 has all the tip built in and then some.<BR><BR>I can't conceive how a barge could cost that much (and if you have a weblink you could share to give us more information that might help clarify) but a tip is an extra, up to you to decide. % levels touted are for guidance only and should never be taken for granted.<BR><BR>But $17k for a barge trip for 6 people?<BR><BR>Are you sure you aren't being ripped off?

Price is for whole barge for a week, all included. I checked on Barge Lady, Barge Company & several others. Prices are all similar. Little over $400/day each. Similar to Smithsonian, Travcoa, Intrav type trip. Special thanks to Gretchen for taking my question seriously and giving legitimate advice.

I'd treat it like a cruise ship and give $5-10 per crew per person per day. No way you should tip 10% on the full cost of the trip.

I contacted the boat broker & was told that 5% is the usual custom.