Tipping your yacht crew: what's customary and why

For British guests in particular, tipping can be one of the more awkward parts of a crewed charter. We’re used to rounding up a restaurant bill, not handing over thousands of dollars at the end of a holiday. But on a crewed yacht the gratuity is an established part of the cost, and knowing what to expect in advance makes the last morning much easier.

Is a tip expected?

On a crewed charter in the Caribbean, yes, a gratuity for the crew is customary. It isn’t included in the charter fee, and it isn’t compulsory: it’s at your discretion, and should reflect the service you received. But crews work very long days through the season, often seven days a week, and gratuities are an important part of how they’re rewarded.

How much?

In the Caribbean, the usual guide is 15 to 20 per cent of the charter fee (the base rate for the yacht, before expenses or taxes). Some guests give more for an exceptional week; some give less if things weren’t right.

As a rough example, on a crewed catamaran with a weekly rate of US$30,000, a gratuity of 15 to 20 per cent would be US$4,500 to US$6,000, shared among the crew.

On larger motor yachts in the Mediterranean, the customary range is often a little lower, but in the Caribbean 15 to 20 per cent remains the norm.

Who gets it?

The gratuity is for the whole crew, and it’s usually shared among them by the captain. You don’t need to split it yourself or tip individual crew members, though some guests like to add a personal thank-you to someone who went out of their way.

When and how to give it

• When: on the last evening or the final morning, before you disembark.
• To whom: usually to the captain, in an envelope with a note.
• How: cash in US dollars is the simplest, but carrying large sums is not always practical. Many yachts can accept a bank transfer, and some brokers can arrange for the gratuity to be paid with the balance of the charter or added to the advance on expenses. Ask us before you travel and we’ll find out what your crew prefers.

Tips on all-inclusive and plus-expenses yachts

On all-inclusive yachts (most crewed catamarans in the Virgin Islands), the gratuity is the main extra to plan for, apart from anything you spend ashore.

On plus-expenses yachts, you’ll pay an advance on expenses for fuel, food, drinks and berthing on top of the charter fee. The gratuity is separate from this advance, although some guests ask the captain to take it from any unspent balance at the end of the week.

What if something wasn’t right?

If something isn’t right during the charter, the best thing is to say so at the time, to the captain or to us, so it can be put right while you’re still aboard. If you’re unhappy at the end of the week, you’re free to adjust the gratuity, and we’d always like to hear about it so we can follow it up.

Bareboat charters

There’s no crew to tip on a bareboat charter. If you hire a day skipper or a cook, a gratuity for them is customary too, in the same spirit.

Budgeting for it

When we send you a proposal, we’ll always show the likely extras, including a suggested gratuity range, so the total cost of the week is clear before you book. Our guide to charter contracts, holds and deposits explains the rest of the payments.

Questions?

If you’re unsure about anything to do with gratuities, ask us. We’d much rather you felt comfortable with it before you go. Get in touch, or start an enquiry for your charter.