Here is what we said in "The Scuba Snobs' Guide to Diving Etiquette" Chapter 4, for Liveaboard Tipping:
PLEASE TIP
Tipping is good manners and expected on every liveaboard. It is part of the income on which the crew depends. But is it just us, or do the expectation comments on the live- aboard brochures suggest really high tips? You should tip, and you should note in calculating your tip that you have been served all your meals, had dive deck services, maid service, and perhaps some medical care and photo/video services or equipment to use. Not only that, a qualified person drove the boat and you didn’t sink or get lost. However, we don’t think you necessarily need to tip the amount the brochures suggest, although you certainly can if you wish.
Ten dollars a day plus ten dollars a dive is pretty much our cap, absent extraordinary services. Do what you want, but do tip. Unless you were abandoned at a dive site by the boat. In that event you are excused from tipping.
We also have additional comments in Chapter 3 for Day boats, some of which may also be helpful.
PLEASE TIP
Do it. Tip something. Tip in local currency if you can. Always tip in cash. If you are clueless as to what is appropriate, then tip five to ten dollars per tank per diver. That’s a fair range. The tip can be on the lower end if the services provided are minimal, more if someone set up your gear for you, changed out your tank, gave you a beverage and/or snack and/or lunch. You should tip more if the divemaster retrieved the piece of gear you dropped overboard, or saved your life, or did something else special like that.
Some boats have a tip jar. We make a habit of asking if there is one, and usually ask loud enough so other people will hear us ask and hopefully tip. If there is a tip jar, put your entire tip in it. If there is none, tip the divemaster and captain separately. Also, tip every day since the crew and dive masters may change daily. But TIP.
Have a great trip ( and by our books to read on the plane!)
DivemasterDennis
