Oddly enough this was an issue with us when we were at FI. They tell you in orientation to tip the DM and Captain separately and also to put something in the tip jar for the shore staff. We absolutely have no issues with tipping, but why make this so hard. Why is it up to us to track down each person and figure out how to divide the tip? One central person or place would be a whole lot easier, but there are issues with that if you want to give more or less to certain people. Here is the scenario for us, the last day is only a 2 tank dive and the only day we didn't return inbetween dives. We got back to the dock around noon. I had to hurry up and get back to room because I was taking the boy zip-lining and I wasn't going to carry this amount of cash with me on the dive. Our DM told us they would be around until around 2pm. I didn't have time to cleanup and go find everybody for a tip; so, I gave my tip to by brother-in-law who spent time tracking everybody down that afternoon to give them all tips. It was a hassle. Had to find the Captain, the DM, put money in the jar at shop, and find individuals that helped specifically with our group doing the shore dives. I think it was a little crazy when we returned from our dive watching people trying to find certain people to tip them.
How do you divide the tip between the DM and the Captain - evenly, DM more, Captain more? These were all questions we debated.
Those working to clean the rooms I tried to tip daily because didn't know if we had the same person each day. Some days I didn't because I was diving. The boy said we had the same person each day. Not exactly sure how much we tipped her because she got something most days and at the end of the week gave her more. The Wait Staff, got something after each meal. They do work very hard and are very friendly.
Didn't really have to worry about those at the airport...they are pretty pushy for the tips. We tipped them, but really to carry your bags about 20 feet from the door to the counter???? The staff at the resort when we arrived and departed got tips as well because they carried all our bags to and from our room.
All I can say is travel with a pocket of $1 and $5 for the constant tipping during your travel to and from.
For the DM and Captain we tipped $120 (each of us) and can't remember exactly how this was divided, I think the DM got a little more. A couple of the shore guys who took our shore divers back and forth all week got I think $40-$50 each from each of our shore divers. We threw a wad of money in the jar.
Snagel