Short answer
Gratuities are not included in the base fare on Viking river cruises. For European sailings, Viking has recommended roughly $20 per person per night, paid in US dollars if prepaid in advance or in euros if charged to your onboard account. Other regions, such as Egypt, India and the Mekong, have used different rates. Viking can change these amounts, so check the current figure for your sailing.
Suggested amounts
Based on commonly reported guidance:
- Europe (including the Rhine, Danube and Seine) and Mississippi River: about $20 USD per person per night, or about €20 per person per night when charged onboard.
- Egypt, India and Mekong: a different structure, often split between ship and land portions.
Confirm the figure in your pre-cruise documents.
What the onboard service charge covers
The recommended gratuity is generally intended to cover the ship’s crew as a group, including cabin staff, restaurant staff and others who work behind the scenes. It’s pooled and shared, which is why it is usually presented as a per-night amount rather than something you hand out individually.
Guides, drivers and tour directors
Tips for local guides, drivers and your program director are usually separate from the onboard service charge, and are handled in different ways. Many travellers give a few euros per person per day for guides, depending on group size and how happy they were. Treat this as a rough guideline and decide based on the service you received.
Bar tabs
A service charge, commonly 15%, may be added to drinks bills. It’s worth glancing at your onboard bill to see how it’s applied so you don’t tip twice. See what Viking includes for what drinks are covered.
Prepaying vs paying onboard
You can generally prepay through Viking’s online system or have the amount added to your account and settled at the end. Prepaying in dollars may suit North American travellers who want to avoid currency surprises. If your service has been poor, you can usually ask Guest Services to adjust or remove the charge.
Example for a one-week cruise
For a typical eight-day itinerary, a calculation at around $20 per person per night would be about $140 per person for seven nights, or $280 for a couple. Add separate tips for guides and any bar charges. This is an estimate only; check your own dates and rate.
How other lines handle tips
Luxury lines such as Scenic have marketed gratuities as included in the fare, while many mainstream lines ask you to tip on top. This affects comparisons, so include tipping in any budget. See our river cruise lines comparison and Scenic vs Viking.