MKC
Registered
When diving from a boat does anyone give the crew a tip? If you do, how do you determine how much to give?
Does anyone give the crew a tip
- Thread starter MKC
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DeputyDan
Contributor
Tipping on dive boats runs in line with tipping the culture where the dive boat operates. ie in US tipping is as standard on a dive boat as it is in restaurants, whereas in Australia a tip on a dive boat will get you the same sort of curious look that it would in pub or taxi.
I typically tip $5-$10/tank depending on how many dives/days I'm doing on that boat.
Note that in the US and Caribbean dive boat crews work predominantly/exclusively for tips.
OP
MKC
Registered
Thanks for the links, they are very helpful.
OP
MKC
Registered
I'm glad I asked the question, I had no idea that some crew members get paid only by tips. I don't think this is right.
From the links suggested by DeputyDan and your comment, I think it might be a good idea to ask questions about the tip distribution and if the crew works exclusively for tips.
From the links suggested by DeputyDan and your comment, I think it might be a good idea to ask questions about the tip distribution and if the crew works exclusively for tips.
Always tip the crew. You give them (depending on service) 10-20% of your total dive cost. If you are doing multiple dives, go ahead and tip at the end of the trip. If you ever go back, you will be remembered.
I usually give the tip at the end of any charter on a day boat, even if I will be doing multiple charters with them, as the crew can be different from day to day - even from a morning charter to an afternoon charter.
Capt.Ed
Contributor
I usually tip $20 per trip...we usually do 2 or 3 dives per day. When I dive w/ my son or my wife I also tip for them...$20, $40 total for the day. It adds up but I think the crews deserve it or I wouldn't be so free w/ my dough.
I also tip my instructors too. I usually base the amount on the time spent, information shared, and overall experience. Usually the amount is between $30 and $60 per class depending on how I feel it went with them. I figure I spend anywhere from 2-4 hours diving with them so they deserve a bigger tip than the crew. I tipped my wife's instructor $40 and my wife only made one dive with her (wife got really sea sick); but the instructor did a good job and I appreciated the effort the instructor made.
BTW, it is true that on some boats the crew recieves a very low wage (or none at all) and works primarily for tips.
I also tip my instructors too. I usually base the amount on the time spent, information shared, and overall experience. Usually the amount is between $30 and $60 per class depending on how I feel it went with them. I figure I spend anywhere from 2-4 hours diving with them so they deserve a bigger tip than the crew. I tipped my wife's instructor $40 and my wife only made one dive with her (wife got really sea sick); but the instructor did a good job and I appreciated the effort the instructor made.
BTW, it is true that on some boats the crew recieves a very low wage (or none at all) and works primarily for tips.
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