By , Cruise Specialist | March 26, 2018 ( Comments)
When to tip, where to tip and just how much to tip is a common concern for travelers in Europe, as no one wants to offend by either tipping too much or too little for services.
Tipping in European countries is different than what we are used to in the United States and Canada, it is almost always at your discretion and varies between countries. While leaving an additional tip for excellent service is becoming more common and widespread throughout European countries, leaving a tip in some may still be perceived as an insult to the salaried service staff - contrary to American culture.
For example, you may visit both Denmark and Norway or Belgium and Sweden, on a Northern Europe or Scandinavian cruise but each country’s etiquette for tipping is slightly different.
Belgium
Tipping in Belgium is traditionally not customary as the service charge and VAT (Value Added Tax) are included in the hotel and restaurant prices.
Leaving a gratuity in a restaurant in Belgium is optional, however, it is common to show appreciation for good service by rounding up the bill to the next euro and allowing your server to keep the change. For example, if the bill is €8,60 round up to €9. If you have a larger bill of say €50, you can leave €1-€4, 2-8% of the bill, if you would like to reward your wait staff.
Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but if they have been friendly or rushed you to the airport while lugging all of your bags - you can round up the bill to the next euro. If an excellent experience was provided, you can also leave a small tip of about €1 to €3
Other customer-service professionals you may tip in Belgium at your discretion (by rounding up the bill or leaving a few Euros): theater ushers and attendants, public toilet room attendants, hairdressers, hotel porters, and tour guides.
Denmark
In Denmark, service charges and VAT (Value Added Tax) are included in hotel, restaurant and taxi bills. There is no set etiquette or further tipping required although leaving a small gratuity (up to 10%) for outstanding service or simply rounding up the bill to the nearest even amount is becoming more common, especially in the more touristy areas like Copenhagen. For example, if the bill is 116.30kr round up to 120.00kr. Denmark’s currency is the Danish krone.
Other customer-service professionals you may tip in Denmark at your discretion (by rounding up the bill or leaving around 5-10kr): taxi drivers, public toilet room attendants, hairdressers, hotel porters, and tour guides.
Norway
Tipping in Norway is not expected, however, it is common to leave a 10-20% tip for exceptional service. Gratuity is not included in the price of food and drinks, a common misconception for travelers. The word "tipping" is translated to "betting" in Norwegian. If you say "tipping" a local may think you are referring to placing tips or a gambling wage. Be sure to use "tips" or "driks" when referring to Norwegian gratuity.
It is uncommon to tip taxi-drivers, doormen, and cleaning staff at hotels. Spa services, tour guides, and hair dressers are also not common services to tip for, however, it is typical to round up the bill to show appreciation for the service provided.
Sweden
Like Belgium and Denmark, Sweden includes service charges and VAT (Value Added Tax) in hotel, restaurant and taxi bills unless otherwise noted. Additional gratuity for excellent service has only recently become more common. The general rule of thumb on tipping in Sweden is to round up to the next kroner for bar service (‘keep the change’) and leave an additional tip of 5-10% in appreciation for good service at a restaurant, mainly in the evenings. For example, if the bill at a restaurant is 152.30kr round up to 160.00kr. Sweden’s currency is the Swedish krona.
Other customer-service professionals you may tip in Sweden at your discretion (by rounding up the bill or leaving a few kronor): taxi drivers, public toilet room attendants, hotel staff and porters, and tour guides.
The best way to alleviate any concern about tipping in a foreign country is to ask. You can ask your ship’s Guest Services desk, hotel concierge, tour guide or the local tourism office. Exorbitant tipping isn’t mandatory, but any small token of gratitude is appreciated.
