How Much to Tip on a Liveaboard

[iztok]

Tropicalwolf - I've met folks like you on the boat before. You're the person who starts complaining about the mosquitos on the dock before we board. Then you don't like your bunk or dive station assignment. When you hook up your regulator and find 2950 PSI in the tank, you want a top-off. You didn't come with a buddy, and don't have a solo card, and you complain about the new guy you end up buddied with, because he is running out of gas before you. When you analyse your cylinder (with my analyzer, because you don't own your own) you complain when you get analyzed at 31.4.

Wookie,

I like your contribution to this board and insights you offer I really do. Wish I could financially afford going out with you in the near future, not in the cards for now. However from what I've read from you and others who took the trip with you I am putting you on top of my list. To be honest, you are second as I want to dive with Sundiver and dive Channel Islands first.

I was lucky I traveled a lot for business until now and collected plenty of frequent flier miles and hotel points so I spent a short liveaboard (my only one) in Thailand (Similan Islands). Main instructor (the one doing all the assignments, taking care of the dive operations ...) was clear that tips should only go to the crew and that instructors/divemasters are paid for their job while crew depends mostly on the tips. When I geared up for my first dive (I had a 19cf pony and less experience than I have now) a deck crew helped me out big time to get me ready for my first dive. When I did my first dive he was one helping me out of the water. I gave him $5. He continued to help me that and next day (it was 2 day one night liveabaord for me with total of 7 dives) and I gave him $5 after each dive. I was not happy with my dive guides on the other hand, they were running very fast every time even after I told them I don't like running back and forth and I prefer slow exploration. On one dive I was budied up with a couple where one was taking "Fish ID" class with instructor/guide for her first dive after OW and her husband had terrible buoyancy issues. We were in around 40ft of water when I prevented him to shoot to the surface because he was pressing inflation button a "little" too much. Out of 7 dives I had 4 different guides and only one was taking my wish to dive slow seriously and he was only my guide for one dive. Gave him $10 (despite the fact that we were told that we don't have to tip guides as they get paid). Lady that cooked went an extra mile (I eat fish but no other meats) for me so I gave her $20 (4 meals - 2 lunches, dinner, and breakfast). At the end of the day before I left I also tipped 15% of my cost to the common jar for others that I have not received personal attention but they were there I am sure.

I think I tipped fairly and probably more than rest of the guests as they were Europeans (I grew up in Europe

 

[highdesert]

People who say they don't tip or don't tip well unless the service is above average are cheap a$$hats who deserve to have their margaritas spat in.

Sorry ... not picking a fight here, but I really don't understand your point. Are you saying that if service is average, one should tip well? Does that mean that if the service is below average, one should leave an average tip? And taken a further step, if the service sucks, does one still tip, only on the below average side?

 

[Tropicalwolf]

The comparison to the police and FD folks is laughable. They are well compensated, with benefits and pensions. Please get a clue.

You have obviously never been either. BTW, most FD types are volunteer...when was the last time you got a pension/benefits as a volunteer??? Please take your own advice and get a clue.