Like any member of the service industry, Tour Directors, bus drivers and local guides depend on tips to make a living. Program Leaders are advised to collect tip money from each participant at the beginning of the tour to avoid confusion and lack of money at the end of the tour. For most tours and destinations, Explorica provides Program Leaders with the option of including tips in the tour fee of each participant to help make the tipping process effortless.
Tour Director
On international tours, it is customary to tip your full-time Tour Director $8 CAD per person, per day. Additional tips for outstanding performance are at your discretion.
On tours of the U.S. and Canada, it is customary to tip your full-time Tour Director a minimum of $5-$6 per person, per day. Additional tipping, at your discretion, is common for outstanding performance.
Bus driver
On international tours, it is customary to tip your bus driver about $4-$5 per person per day on all tours.
On tours of the US and Canada, it is customary to tip your bus driver $2-$3 per person per day.
Local Tour Guides & Local Bus Drivers
All tours include tips for local guides and local bus drivers.
Cruises
Please tip your Explorica Tour Director per guidelines above.
Tips for all services rendered on board the cruise ship–housekeeping, dining service, etc.–will be paid on your behalf by Explorica. It is not necessary for you to tip cruise staff on board.
All tips should be converted and presented in the local currency.