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

[DEEPLOU]

I don't think it makes a difference what service industry you're talking about, the topic of tipping is a sore subject.

I have never taken a liveaboard, but have done many cruises on the large cruise liners. Here too you get the tipping of waiter, head waiter, concierge, the steward and his(her) helper, wine steward, etc...

Most of my trips are day trips. As mentioned in prior post, on local boats, the crew are mates, not DMs. As matter of fact, I don't think either mate on the boat even posesses a DM card, although they are very experienced divers. They don't get paid, other than tips. Yes they do get free dive, usually only one dive per day, but often it is in conjunction with tieing in or releasing the boat from the wreck. But they also wash the boat down at the end of the day. Often times they bring food for a post dive BBQ. Also, they have become more buddies than workers on the boat. (some I have known as buddies before they started to work on the boat). They will help you if you ask, but the general rule is don't touch anyone's gear (could be a liability issue,and we like it that way).
YOu have to consider their tip in a different way than the crew on a Liveaboard where the crew is cook, steward, photographer, deck crew, DM and a few other positions all rolled up into one.

 

[Scubakevdm]

Sounds reasonable to me. Has the red algae up there cleared up at all during the winter?

I'm thinking that what you are refering to as red algae, is actually a cyanobacteria. It grows in colonies that look like patches of soft, red hair. It seems to favor certain corals. Anyway, if we're talking about the same thing, the answer is "no". It's become more and more of a problem on parts of some of the reefs up here. I'm involved with some research efforts. It seems as though the bloom is related to the Delray outfall, were are presently collecting, analysing and plotting the data that supports this. If you would like to know more about whats going on with it, PM me. -Peace, Kev

 

[hnladue]

OK.. on a cruise ship....which is like a liveaboard.......they say NOT to tip becasue it's already included in the price of the cruise. On a cruise ship you get MUCH more attention then on a liveaboard(or so it seems, I've never been on one). If you're paying like $2k for a week trip, isn't that enough for everything???? Shouldn't they 'include' the 'tipping' in the price??? Just curious. I've never heard of tipping until I got to SB.

 

[TechBlue]

OK.. on a cruise ship....which is like a liveaboard.......they say NOT to tip becasue it's already included in the price of the cruise. On a cruise ship you get MUCH more attention then on a liveaboard(or so it seems, I've never been on one). If you're paying like $2k for a week trip, isn't that enough for everything???? Shouldn't they 'include' the 'tipping' in the price??? Just curious. I've never heard of tipping until I got to SB.

First of all a cruise ship is a totally diffferent animal to a liveaboard, secondly everybody can go back and forwards for ever and a day on wether they like or don't like to tip. I don't think anybody should be tipped for bad service in any industry. Bottom line is wether you like it or not, DM's are considered to be on a working holiday and in the most part are paid a pittance for the good fortune of being able to dive for "free" As in many service industries tipping is considered part of the income, if it was included in the cost of the trip and you got bad or indifferent service they would be stiffing you, by the same token if the DM's or mates provide you with good service and you either don't tip or go cheap you are stiffing them.

 

[Jagular007]

I'll have to agree with hnladue that I never heard of tipping the dive crew until I got to SB. I've never seen anyone tip on a dive, and I've been diving all over the world. So what is this all about? How far does it go? Boat captain? divemaster? guy who helps me out of my gear? the person who sets out the stale crackers and sodas? This could double the price of the dive. I'm getting this horrid feeling that I can't afford to go diving.

Come to think of it, maybe there are a whole lot of other "service" people who had their hand out and I never noticed. . . . physicians and all their staff (from the lady who weighs me to the one who takes my history and never communicates the info to the doctor, to the girl who ushers me into the examining room and tells me to slip on that cute little gown). . . . dentists and staff (really, I should demonstrate my gratitude to the girl who suctions the slop out of my mouth, and that poor dentist is barely making his payments on his $2 million house; do I give him 15% of his bill??). . . . airline attendants (all of them or just the ones who handed out the headphones, gave me my orange juice, offered me a newspaper, and demonstrated how to use the oxygen mask?). . . grocery bagger? that nice man in the produce department who showed me which cantaloupe was ripe? . . . The more I think, the more I realize that a lot of people have helped me in some way, and, although I thanked them, I didn't reach in my pocket and hand them $5.

On the other hand, I happen to be in a service business myself (running seminars, conducting tours to various parts of the world, etc.) and I can't recall ever being offered a tip. If I were, I'd feel offended. I'm a professional. This is my business!

What happened to the idea of charging what something is worth, paying people what they are worth, and letting everyone keep their dignity?

Just my two cents worth.

Jag

 

[DandyDon]

I think I saw this in Dive Training magazine recently. There's lot of service jobs that don't get tipped - mine included. I don't lots of things, but my income is based on my sales. Dive Masters and Dive Boat Crews collectively are at least semi-professionals, though, who are as important to me staying alive and well at times as any phsycian, but their pay is much lower.

However, the primary reason for tipping these folks to me anyway is to encourage and reward extra help & services. When I get that, I'm not going to tip the employer, but I certainly don't mind tipping the workers a bit. I think I've only seen tip jars out in Florida & Calf, but I've been happy to tip in NCarolina and all over the Caribbean.

This is new to me, though...

OK.. on a cruise ship....which is like a liveaboard.......they say NOT to tip becasue it's already included in the price of the cruise. On a cruise ship you get MUCH more attention then on a liveaboard(or so it seems, I've never been on one). If you're paying like $2k for a week trip, isn't that enough for everything???? Shouldn't they 'include' the 'tipping' in the price??? Just curious. I've never heard of tipping until I got to SB.

Of the few cruises I've done, tipping was indeed part of the program. But then, the crew members were always so willing to do so much more than "just their job" that I usually tipped more than suggested.

I wonder if it boils down to Cheap vs Not-Cheap? Maybe, maybe not??

don

 

[Jagular007]

I think it depends on the cruise ship. I went on a fabulous cruise of the Greek islands, and tips were optional. Yes, I tipped because the service was great, especially the maitre de who went all out for me. But I think some cruise ships charge you a flat rate for tips, regardless of the level of service.

In Europe, a lot of places just add the tip to the bill. I prefer that. I get tired of wondering who next is going to think I'm "cheap" because I didn't know that they, too, expected a tip.

Jag

 

[scubaroyster]

Nothing feels better than making a service industry worker's day by paying them a compliment for their fine work, or better yet, provide them with a monitary token of your esteem. I've been in many situations where receiving a tip, regardless of the amount, was the icing on top of an otherwise great day. Take 10-15% cash with you on any dive trip or liveaboard. When the trip is over, tip appropriatly for the level of service. As much as you feel comfortable or nothing if the service doesn't measure up.

 

[DORSETBOY]

I find a tip is a really nice gesture. Also if dive leading I have to admit I might be more inclined to take a diver to a particular area on a dive site if I think they'll be inclined to offer a tip. This would be an area that I generally prefer to keep to myself and dont want to risk getting trashed or otherwise disturbed by hordes of divers.

 

[cdiver2]

I find a tip is a really nice gesture. Also if dive leading I have to admit I might be more inclined to take a diver to a particular area on a dive site if I think they'll be inclined to offer a tip. This would be an area that I generally prefer to keep to myself and dont want to risk getting trashed or otherwise disturbed by hordes of divers.

Boy am I stupid I always thought I was paying up front to be taken to the best dive area that the boat worked in. If its a good dive site then divers will come back.