Normal
We went on 3 shore excursions on our wonderful recent cruise on the Grand. On one of them (Cozumel) our snorkel guide walked around the boat with a container, asking each passenger for a tip. I think that was tacky. On the 2 other excursions, the guides were very professional. Some people may have tipped them, but they certainly didn't come asking for it.Given that cruise-booked excursions cost about twice as much as shore-booked ones, I was hesitant to give much extra money (only if someone was truly exceptional). This might not be fair to the employees involved, but I found the constant cash grab a downside of the cruising experience (soda card, icecream, exhorbitant spa treatments, etc.).and hands out for a tip added to that. I sure was pleased to see that gratuities are added to the bill, don't have to be doled out individually.
We went on 3 shore excursions on our wonderful recent cruise on the Grand. On one of them (Cozumel) our snorkel guide walked around the boat with a container, asking each passenger for a tip. I think that was tacky. On the 2 other excursions, the guides were very professional. Some people may have tipped them, but they certainly didn't come asking for it.
Given that cruise-booked excursions cost about twice as much as shore-booked ones, I was hesitant to give much extra money (only if someone was truly exceptional). This might not be fair to the employees involved, but I found the constant cash grab a downside of the cruising experience (soda card, icecream, exhorbitant spa treatments, etc.).and hands out for a tip added to that. I sure was pleased to see that gratuities are added to the bill, don't have to be doled out individually.
