Dear Bruce,

we generally recommend about 5% of the price you paid for the cruise goes to the ship's crew, and another similar, maybe smaller amount to the guide. Of course, it's optional - but if you are 100% satisfied with the service, that's generally what is done.

Warmest regards,

Heather Blenkiron

What makes you say it seems steep? Do you think Tip Top is trying to cheat you somehow? Seems to me they set their wages for their employees based on the presumption they're going to get those tips.

our travel agent gave us the following tip guidelines. This is a simpler calculation than % of cruise price which might be distorted by other trips, activities etc.

$15 per person per day for the guide

$ 20 per person per day for entire crew

Kbr gives great advice.

USD 20 per day for the entire crew and USD 15 per day for the guide will be the right amounts to be given to the ship personnel during a Galapagos cruise.

Saludos cordiales from Lima,

Dennis Yepez

Guanguiltagua Expeditions

Dennis-

I'm assuming that for a couple traveling together, it would be double those figures per day for crew and guide. Correct?

Correct. It's a "per person" approach.

Our tour company recommended $10 per person per day for the naturalists (my understanding is that the naturalists on our cruise pool and share) plus extra to an individual for any exceptional service. And, $15-20 per person per day for the crew, which is pooled and shared, plus extra for any above and beyond service. We also had a tour director we tipped, although he was more administrative during the cruise portion.

do you have to bring cash for this or can it be added to the tab at the end?

On the Galapagos Legend, you could charge the tips to a credit card.