Tip the captain

[misterguy]

So i would like to know your thoughts, on a boat dive is it customary to tip the captain, the mate or both
And what is considered good service?

 

[slingshot]

What is perceived as good service will vary by location and by individual. On a commercial boat in Hawaii, you often have someone carrying your tank and rig to the dive step. In California, you are more often left to your own devices, and frankly, many people prefer it that way. A good foundation is an orientation to the dive site, a review of safety and recall procedures, and courtesy. On many boats I've been on, the tip goes into a general pot and is then divided amongst the crew and DMs, but this will vary. If an individual merits special consideration for services rendered, I will tip him or her directly in addition.

 

[soonerwink]

All of the boat dives I have done, the captain doesn't get any of the tips. The divemasters, cooks and mates usually split the tips and alot of the time that is the only money they make. The captain usually gets his money from the charter fees you pay. I don't consider myself an expert though, that is just what the Captains and divemasters have told me on the boats I have been on. Whether in Florida, Cozumel, or the Flower Gardens.

 

[Tigerman]

From what Ive read and seen, good service has nothing to do with tipping as far as diving goes. You are to tip 10 dollars per tank or youre a cheapskate was more or less the impression I got from other threads..

Personally I think tipping in general has gotten out of hand and has become "expected" rather than a bonus. They should just call it "the 2nd bill" these days instead of tip...

 

[almitywife]

......Personally I think tipping in general has gotten out of hand and has become "expected" rather than a bonus. They should just call it "the 2nd bill" these days instead of tip...

and please remember..... tipping in australia is not necessary

some of our service industry folk only caught onto it because the US folk are so quick to hand over money

at the most, ive purchaed a slab for a dive crew and said thanks - but only with excellent service that was beyond their normal call of duties

 

[Tigerman]

In Norway its still not neccesary either, fortunately. When you get the bill, you get just that, the bill. If you CHOSE to tip the waiter, thats of course appreciated but not expected.
There recently was a case up in court with regards to tips here that I liked btw. The cooks can now demand that the waiters share their tips with them. Something I fully support since afterall, the waiter is not the one that made me that good meal..

When I was in Mexico last week I stiffed a taxi driver for his tip btw, but when he try to charge me three times the rate on his charts with the excuse that "its old charts" when it clearly says the current dates on them he shouldnt expect otherwise..

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Tips are earned not deserved and yes I did work in the resteraunt buissness for years. I am a good tipper when earned (20%) but I also am not afraid to leave 0% for bad service.

 

[Tigerman]

Tips are earned not deserved and yes I did work in the resteraunt buissness for years. I am a good tipper when earned (20%) but I also am not afraid to leave 0% for bad service.

For bad service I DO leave a tip.. The lowest ammount possible, in the bottomn of my glass or something to show them that I woulda tipped if you didnt do a crap job..

 

[highdesert]

Definitely varies by location/boat crew (at least for us). When we're at the Reef House in Roatan, the duo of DM Davit and boatman/assistant Choco are so professional and personable that one can't really be thought of as superior to the other, IMHO. They both get the same generous tip.

Elsewhere, we generally tell the crew we've left their tip with the dive op and let the dive op distribute it.

 

[RoyN]

I tip the dive boat people because they worked hard to make the dive day great. I never had any problem or any incident with any of the dive boat I use in my area ever!!!!