Tipping on a land/river cruise combo tour
We are joining the Rhine Enchantment tour on May 18. The first 3 days are a land tour from Milan, plus we are adding on a night before in Milan and 2 nights after in Amsterdam. Tauck says gratuities are included for the Tauck Directors, Cruise director, motor coach driver(s), local guides, hotel bellmen and restaurant staff. On another forum I saw that gratuities didn’t seem to be included for land tours. So… does the land part of the cruise also cover gratuities? I also notice that the Tauck description does not mention gratuities being included for housekeeping either in the hotels or on the boat. Helpful tipping tips appreciated!
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We have taken this tour. It is classed as a River cruise and there is no need for separate tipping. Housekeeping is included on land tours too
You final travel documents - provided via a link in an email from Tauck - lists the tipping information for your tour.
On land tours (not part of a river or small ship cruise) the only suggested tips are for the one TD you'd have and the one coach driver you'd have. On cruises there are multiple TDs and coaches so that's why tips are included in your tour price. You'll have those personnel throughout your tour both in the land and cruise portions.
British is correct that this tour is considered a river cruise in its entirety. As such, all gratuities are covered.
Regarding land tours, there has been much discussion about whether or not housekeeping gratuities are covered by Tauck. I can only report my experience. Quite some time ago, I was advised that Tauck no longer included housekeeping gratuities. This was per the tour director at that time. It’s a moot point for me since I typically extend ‘thank you’ gratuities for exceptional service at my discretion.
Thanks, everyone!