Liveaboard Tipping

[koozemani]

Yikes . . . but you've given me ideas for the future . . .

I've had those same ideas Jax, unfortunately, last minute airfare is not always cheap.

 

[Jax]

True, but if you keep an eye out, sometimes they will drop without fanfare.

 

[Shasta_man]

I think there's a clear distinction in those examples that can be distilled to: if you set it up and get kicked in the teeth at the last minute, then you tip what you can. However, if you plan six months in advance for a meager tip, then that's not so good. I think there may be another wrinkle I noted when looking at boats for a trip next year. I'm questioning the level of tip I would pay for the higher luxury liveaboard I've noted have begun appearing in some of the Pacific locations. For $575 a person, per night, I'm thinking I've paid part of the tip already because the boat priced at least part of it in.

 

[Jax]

Yikes!

Due to this thread, I at least know what to bring.

 

[koozemani]

What about kidneys? Would they accept one in lieu of a monetary tip?

So between the liveaboard and then a week at a resort with diving and excursions we're probably looking at close to $1000 in tips. Yikes!! That is seriously gonna cut into my Funion account.

Let's look at it this way: putting aside the 10% suggested amount, how much would you tip per crew member for a 7 day liveaboard?

 

[Wookie]

What about kidneys? Would they accept one in lieu of a monetary tip?

So between the liveaboard and then a week at a resort with diving and excursions we're probably looking at close to $1000 in tips. Yikes!! That is seriously gonna cut into my Funion account.

Let's look at it this way: putting aside the 10% suggested amount, how much would you tip per crew member for a 7 day liveaboard?

I need a new liver. Mine is complaining.

So, many boats outside of the US operate with a crew of 5. I operate with a crew of 8 because I'm US flagged. That crew needs mandated training, drug screens, a minimum wage because I also work for the US Government, and they set my wages. Most non-US liveaboards run with a Captain, Engineer, 2 DM's and a chef. I have 2 Captains, a chef, a stewardess, 3 on the deck and a trainee at any time for one of the other positions. Is the guy who keeps you safe during the day any less important than the guy who is responsible for your safety at night any less than the chef who prepares your meals any less than the stewardess who cleans your heads etc.? Why would you split out the tips on your own? Are you going to tip the stewardess but not the engineer? The engineer kept the water pumping to flush the potty that the stewardess cleaned. The divemaster kept you supplied with drinking water so you needed to use the potty. The Captain didn't do a thing unless you needed him, but if you needed him, you REALLY needed him. Who are you going to short? Or reward?

 

[koozemani]

You miss my point. I fully understand that all crew members are equally important in ways that I might not see or realize. My question was, if I were to tip all crew members equally, what would be a reasonable dollar amount rather than simply using a 10% guideline. Your boats crew would merit a lower tip based on the 10% rate than other liveaboards. That's not to say they deserve a lower tip or didnt work as hard as another boats crew, and why I was asking what a people thought a fair tip amount per crew member (again all being tipped equally) would be.

 

[Jax]

Good point the Kooze makes, Wookie!

10% might be good for a 5-person-crew . . . What's good for the Spree?

If 10% is good for 5 (2% per), then 16% for 8?

 

[mike_s]

About three years ago, I went on the most screwed up liveaboard I think that existed.

The captain lied to us, didn't take us where we contracted to go on the trip, and was drunk half the time and lots of safety issues. (thank god they are out of business now so they can't screw others).



Still, I tipped the crew because I felt they "mostly" did a good job, even in light of how the Captain/owner screwed us. I just simply didn't see it right to take it out on the crew by not tipping them because they had a bad boss.

 

[Magnolia3]

I think there's a clear distinction in those examples that can be distilled to: if you set it up and get kicked in the teeth at the last minute, then you tip what you can. However, if you plan six months in advance for a meager tip, then that's not so good. I think there may be another wrinkle I noted when looking at boats for a trip next year. I'm questioning the level of tip I would pay for the higher luxury liveaboard I've noted have begun appearing in some of the Pacific locations. For $575 a person, per night, I'm thinking I've paid part of the tip already because the boat priced at least part of it in.

Just a small comment.. and thanks for the tipping advice.. I would have probably tipped much more considering I put myself thru college as a waittress and bartender. I normaly tip 20% 98% of the time.. if the service is really crappy they get 5-10% depending on crappiness. Tips helped my son and I survive.. however..

I am a single. ALL the dive package at resorts and liveaboards are geared towards couples. The rate say, since we are using this amt.. $5,000 each but as a single I am charged $6,000. I get the same service as they do, but by the rule of thumb in this thread I should give $600 for the same service they are getting for $5,000 each.. and tipping $500.???

I don't mind sharing a cabin but still to charge me significantly more for a trip, and then expect me to tip more fore the same service somehow sounds a little....I don't really have a word for it.. but you know...
'bella