How much should you tip on a private yacht charter? And how do you leave a tip for the crew? That’s something almost every yacht charter guest wonders. According to the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) tipping guidelines, the general rule is to tip between 10% and 15% of your weekly charter fee, excluding running expenses and taxes. With that in mind, here are some other tipping “rule” for your charter: Let the captain decide who gets how much.
On your last day on your yacht, it’s customary to put your entire tip in an envelope and hand it directly to your captain. If your trip was wonderful (and why wouldn’t it be?), include a personal note, tell the captain how wonderful the crew was, and leave it to the captain’s discretion on how to split up the tip. Treat everyone equally. Many crew members are involved in the operation of your yacht, from stewardesses refreshing your cocktails, to the deckhands setting up the slide for you. While it may be tempting to leave forward-facing members a more generous tip, it’s not recommended. Remember, the crew works as a team, and it’s important to reward them as a team.
Let your destination be your guide
Tipping rules change by destination. As a general rule, a 10% to 15% tip is customary when chartering in the Mediterranean, while a 15% to 20% tip is more common in the Caribbean.
Your tip should be proportional to the service you received
Ultimately, it’s up to you on how much to tip. Most guests, though, base it on the quality of service. But remember: Most crew members are working 16- to 18-hour days, and a tip rewards them for all that hard work and service. If you have questions about how much to tip, consult with your charter broker – brokers can help you understand what’s customary.