The all-inclusive tipping note -- Boats, DMs & Instructors

[DandyDon]

I am all for good tipping to encourage good services. If I can't afford at least $5 a tank for a day-boat in addition to the trip cost, I need to look for a cheaper trip first. The same for at least 10% on a liveaboard.

Some places suggest tipping at the end of your week-long trip, and when they do - I go along with that. When there are no such suggestions, like on a recent trip to Cozumel, I prefer tipping every day, so they'll know they are getting rewarded for their efforts, in case the crew changes somewhat, etc. I collected tips from our group's members on many of the boat trips to turn in as a wad, as I was disappointed to see some divers who I knew were making good incomes only give $5 for a 2 tank trip with really good services in the water and on the boat, but I just bit my lip.

Some will suggest giving less in less developed countries where incomes and living standards are less than in the US, but I'll argue against that, too.

One thing I do enjoy is NOT tipping after a particularly sh*tty DM.

I don't enjoy doing that. I'll skip the tip for a bad experience, but I'd rather tip for the good ones.

thanks, don

 

[diver_paula]

However, this came up on a trip to FL. The dive operator was a husband and wife team. It was their operation and they ran it. He at the helm and she at the ropes.
Do you tip them? Her ? ? or what?

I'm a pretty generous tipper. However, if the owner(s) is the only crew the tip isn't large given they are getting the charter price I already paid.

Paula

 

[OneBrightGator]

I don't enjoy doing that. I'll skip the tip for a bad experience, but I'd rather tip for the good ones.

Yeah, I'll agree with that, I'd much rather have an enjoyable dive.

Ben

 

[scubajoe]

Aggressors are a luxury boat for those with luxury tastes and pocketbooks. In their case you must also consider that you are tipping for (typically) outstanding service on a total of 15-20 dives PLUS preparing and serving deluxe meals and snacks.

15-20 dives? I have been on 4 Aggressor trips and the least number of divers has been 22. It is usually 25 to 27 for me. I tip close to 10% of the boat ride price. I always feel like it hasn't been enough for the services rendered but it is what I can afford. Every crew member has done whatever they could to make my trip all that it could be. Extra this, help with that and so on. Same with the Peter Hughes boats I have been on. I love the big boats! Sun Dancer in May!

Joe

 

[ElectricZombie]

Here in NC the boat is just a taxi. No food and they don't do anything for you. This is how I prefer it so I'm not complaining. Basically if they leave me alone and get me from point A to point B and back again, I'll give them a tip.

 

[hvulin]

if you are going out of US you should check how the locals do it...

here in Croatia DM's get regular pay and don't depend on tips so paying them a beer is usually enough...

have fun

 

[cdiver2]

This tipping crap is just another cheap way for the operators to get max bucks, they dont give a dam as to weather the DMs make a living or not.
I tip as I see fit, I have had one dive where no one tipped (12 divers) Bahamas
On a liveaboard I was not happy with the way the DMs had run things and tipped the cook $50 worked hard, and the rest of the crew $100 between five of them

Techblue, correct me if I am wrong but I believe maritime law states that the bridge should be mande at all times. All ocean going boats that I have been on man the bridge at all times, this is for safety reasons not as a extra for the guests.

 

[DennisS]

20 divers @ 5 bucks a head in the morning, 20 divers @ 5 bucks a head in the afternoon= $200 a day. That comes out to about $20 an hour for a 10 hour divemaster day.

 

[OneBrightGator]

When I sign up for a trip as a customer, and the boat owner says something to the effect of "we have a divemaster onboard" I expect that to be included, he doesn't say "we have a divemaster onboard for an extra charge". As a divemaster, if I sign up to DM a trip for nothing, that's exactly what I expect to be paid, after all, I get to dive for free, any tips are extra and not expected. It's everyone's but the customers' fault that the DM doesn't get paid.

Ben

 

[GQMedic]

Exactly!

In this event, the DM screwed the pooch! And, for his lack of performance, no tip. (I'm sure this was a mistake the DM won't be making again anytime soon) Yet the cook worked hard, recieved a generous tip and crew towed the line, they got tipped too. Excellent post!

This tipping crap is just another cheap way for the operators to get max bucks, they dont give a dam as to weather the DMs make a living or not.
I tip as I see fit, I have had one dive where no one tipped (12 divers) Bahamas
On a liveaboard I was not happy with the way the DMs had run things and tipped the cook $50 worked hard, and the rest of the crew $100 between five of them

Techblue, correct me if I am wrong but I believe maritime law states that the bridge should be mande at all times. All ocean going boats that I have been on man the bridge at all times, this is for safety reasons not as a extra for the guests.