How Much Do You Tip on a Nile Cruise?

By Alice Nichols

When you embark on a Nile cruise, you may wonder how much to tip the staff. Tipping is a common practice in Egypt, and it’s important to know the appropriate amount to show appreciation for good service.

Who Should You Tip?
During your Nile cruise, you’ll encounter various staff members who provide services such as housekeeping, serving meals, and guiding tours. It’s customary to tip these individuals based on the quality of their service.

Housekeeping:
The housekeeping staff is responsible for keeping your room tidy and providing fresh towels and linens. You can tip them between 20-50 Egyptian pounds (EGP) per day.

Wait Staff:
The wait staff serves your meals and ensures you have a pleasant dining experience. It’s common to tip them 10-15% of the total cost of your bill.

Tour Guide:
Your tour guide will accompany you on excursions throughout your Nile cruise. They provide valuable information about the historical sites and ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. It’s appropriate to tip them between 50-100 EGP per day.

How Should You Tip?
Tipping in Egypt is usually done in cash, so it’s important to have small denominations of EGP readily available. You can give tips directly to the staff member or leave them in an envelope in your room with a note of appreciation.

It’s also important to consider timing when tipping. It’s appropriate to tip your housekeeping staff daily since they provide daily services.

For wait staff, you can leave a final tip at the end of your cruise since they serve you throughout your trip. As for tour guides, it’s best to give them their tips at the end of each excursion since they accompany you on a short-term basis.

What About Other Staff Members?
There may be other staff members on your Nile cruise, such as bartenders and spa attendants. It’s appropriate to tip them as well, usually between 10-20 EGP per service.

Bartenders:
If you order drinks at the bar, it’s common to tip the bartender 10-20 EGP per drink.

Spa Attendants:
If you use the spa services, it’s appropriate to tip the attendant 10-20% of the cost of your service.

In conclusion, tipping on a Nile cruise is a common practice in Egypt. It’s important to know who to tip, how much to tip, and when to tip. By following these guidelines, you’ll show appreciation for good service and ensure a pleasant experience for all parties involved.