Tipping on a liveaboard

[divekraz]

I tried searching for the answer on scubaboard under tip, tips, tips liveaboard and tipping and only got $5-$10 per tank on regular 2 tank dive boats. My question is when you are on a 10 day liveaboard that is costing around $1,000 per day per couple with 3-5 dives per day, What is the reasonable amount to tip for normal service? I've seen on the liveaboard websites of various ships the amount of $50-$100 per day per couple or the amount you would tip in a restaurant for a meal of 10% to 20%. So if you were on a 10 day cruise costing $10,000 for a couple the range seems to be from the low of $50/day or $500 for a couple to $2,000 or $200 per day for a couple based on 20% of the trip cost. There also seems to be areas of the world where the divers do not tip at all. I'd appreciate any thoughts or direction to a thread that answers my question. Thank you in advance

 

[Lorenzoid]

Everything you said jibes with what I've experienced. Generally, tipping will be discussed near the end of the trip as part of the daily briefing, so you will find out directly from the cruise director what that boat considers typical. In the end, though, the decision of how much to tip is entirely up to YOU.

 

[RJP]

If I were on a 10-day LoB trip that cost $5,000 for one person I'd probably tip in the $500 range, minimum. $500 tip for TWO people for such a trip would be a joke, as far as I'm concerned.

If you do the math on what you'd trip for a 10-day land vaction where you ate three meals out a day, did a two-tank morning charter, a two tank afternoon charter, a night dive charter, and had a couple drinks out at a bar you'd tip at least that much or more.

Hell, $50 a day tip for one person is basically what you'd pay in diving tips alone, never mind meals, maid service, etc.

 

[oly5050user]

I tried searching for the answer on scubaboard under tip, tips, tips liveaboard and tipping and only got $5-$10 per tank on regular 2 tank dive boats

.
Not on liveaboards. On a liveaboard there are usually 1 crewperson to every 2 passengers..You are tipping not just for the dives, but for EVERYTHING that goes on. Fro housekeeping-meals-diving-entertainment..Recommended tip is !0% to 15% of trip,per person.

My question is when you are on a 10 day liveaboard that is costing around $1,000 per day per couple with 3-5 dives per day, What is the reasonable amount to tip for normal service? I've seen on the liveaboard websites of various ships the amount of $50-$100 per day per couple or the amount you would tip in a restaurant for a meal of 10% to 20%. So if you were on a 10 day cruise costing $10,000 for a couple the range seems to be from the low of $50/day or $500 for a couple to $2,000 or $200 per day for a couple based on 20% of the trip cost. There also seems to be areas of the world where the divers do not tip at all. I'd appreciate any thoughts or direction to a thread that answers my question. Thank you in advance

Yes areas of the world there are cultures that do not tip...ok that is their culture. Be prepared to most likely pay a higher rate for the trip.Some places, i discovered, such as a liveaboard in Australia, the boat charges a different rate for Americans (higher) than they do for anyone else. I would not leave a tip for them..let the crew complain to the owner about it and see if it changes their policy.

 

[TMHeimer]

Yes areas of the world there are cultures that do not tip...ok that is their culture. Be prepared to most likely pay a higher rate for the trip.Some places, i discovered, such as a liveaboard in Australia, the boat charges a different rate for Americans (higher) than they do for anyone else. I would not leave a tip for them..let the crew complain to the owner about it and see if it changes their policy.

You'd almost think Americans would be charged less as I believe
they are known for tipping more than others do. Did you get any inclination as to why they do this?

 

[oly5050user]

You'd almost think Americans would be charged less as I believe
they are known for tipping more than others do. Did you get any inclination as to why they do this?

No idea..I guess they think Americans have deeper pockets..

 

[Roncone]

From what I understand from over a month spent in Australia (as well as having married an Aussie), tipping is not as frequent practice in Australia as it is in the Americas. I think they are doing it right, by charging more and then (hopefully) paying their employees a wage that is fair so that they do not have to depend on "optional" tips to make a living. This happens in restaurants as well. A tip is then given as a gift for service above and beyond, which it what it should be, IMO.

Maybe Americans are charged more because 1 US$ = 1.07 AU$.

Ron

 

[Bopper]

Maybe Americans are charged more because 1 US$ = 1.07 AU$.

Been a long time since I took International Business Finance but I think Americans should pay less with that exchange rate.

 

[Roncone]

Been a long time since I took International Business Finance but I think Americans should pay less with that exchange rate.

Oops - I stand corrected.
Glad I didn't go into finance!

 

[Cpt_Smooth]

It all depends where you do your liveaboard. As mentioned above, tipping is not required in Australia as a reasonable wage for staff is built into the price (in theory). The same would go for parts of Europe and Asia, where tipping might even been seen as a bit rude or strange.