RaoulDuke
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Wondering what the proper etiquette is here? Should I tip the divemaster or boat crew for group trips? Also, considering doing a couple of guided shore dives on an upcoming vacation. Should I tip my guide from the dive shop?
Tipping Etiquette?
- Thread starter RaoulDuke
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Group Trips, meaning as organized "back home", maybe through a dive shop? You should speak with your trip leader for a coordinated effort. If he just give you a dumb look and tells you you're on your own, you've got a marginal leader. He should also be organizing a tip bucket for the baggage handlers if you're transiting as a group.
Differences in local economies have a distinct bearing on the quantity dollar level. Some destinations (outside of the Caribbean) rarely serve North Americans, this might predispose them to anticipate a tip versus nine at all, as some nationalities simply do not do it by custom or habit.
Feel free to quietly slip special helpers a bit more if you feel that's appropriate. Most of these guys bust their asses for very little straight pay. Boat crew, too. A lot of times we gush over the DM, but who's always hauling your butt back aboard? Take care of that guy.
If your specially hired shore-dive guide isn't the shop's actual owner, absolutely- tipping should be considered.
Differences in local economies have a distinct bearing on the quantity dollar level. Some destinations (outside of the Caribbean) rarely serve North Americans, this might predispose them to anticipate a tip versus nine at all, as some nationalities simply do not do it by custom or habit.
Feel free to quietly slip special helpers a bit more if you feel that's appropriate. Most of these guys bust their asses for very little straight pay. Boat crew, too. A lot of times we gush over the DM, but who's always hauling your butt back aboard? Take care of that guy.
If your specially hired shore-dive guide isn't the shop's actual owner, absolutely- tipping should be considered.
Last edited:
NYCNaiad
Dive babble all day long
If you mean as a diver on a boat with a group of divers you don't know, usually I'll follow the captain's/DM's lead as to how they say to tip. If they don't mention anything, I'll give the money to the captain (in front of the DM if possible) noting "here's my tip for the crew". The captain will then divide it up among everyone.
I agree with Doc re: home organized group trips. The trip leader has always organized the tipping method before we even left for the trip and made sure people were aware that good tips were the norm. If it is a trip like this and the leader hasn't already spoken to you about this, reach out to them. If they don't have a good answer, then follow my suggestion in the previous paragraph.
I also tip someone who is my own specially hired guide as well as anyone else who really went above and beyond. For instance, I was on a liveaboard boat where the captain and DMs were good, but one of the crew went way out of his way for me. When he heard I forgot my herbal tea, he made me homemade tea with ginger and herbs for every meal. I gave a generous tip to the trip leader for the entire crew and then gave a bit extra to that one crew member on the side.
I've traveled all over including places Americans don't often go. I tip everywhere I go and a lot of the time dive boats expect it more from Americans. The DMs and crew aren't paid well most of the time and do often offer extra service so building in a nice healthy tip into your dive trip expenses is the decent thing to do, I think.
I agree with Doc re: home organized group trips. The trip leader has always organized the tipping method before we even left for the trip and made sure people were aware that good tips were the norm. If it is a trip like this and the leader hasn't already spoken to you about this, reach out to them. If they don't have a good answer, then follow my suggestion in the previous paragraph.
I also tip someone who is my own specially hired guide as well as anyone else who really went above and beyond. For instance, I was on a liveaboard boat where the captain and DMs were good, but one of the crew went way out of his way for me. When he heard I forgot my herbal tea, he made me homemade tea with ginger and herbs for every meal. I gave a generous tip to the trip leader for the entire crew and then gave a bit extra to that one crew member on the side.
I've traveled all over including places Americans don't often go. I tip everywhere I go and a lot of the time dive boats expect it more from Americans. The DMs and crew aren't paid well most of the time and do often offer extra service so building in a nice healthy tip into your dive trip expenses is the decent thing to do, I think.
here on Florida's treasure coast i suggest tipping $10 per tank if the service was good to very good. If i'm the DM i suggest tipping in hundred dollar bills.
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