5 factors you should consider when tipping on a yacht charter

Tipping on a yacht charter

Usually, tipping on a yacht charter ranges between 5% and 20%. The tip varies because it depends on the location, the size of the yacht, the longevity of the charter, and the professionalism displayed by the crew. The criteria with which to judge how much a person should tip is different from person to person.

To soften the curve of erratic tipping, MYBA or the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association published tipping guidelines that listed the default tipping range from 5% to 15%. Tipping on a yacht charter is usually done in cash, which is handed to the captain in an envelope. When handing the money to the captain, you could also write a letter, stating your praises and recommendations, if your trip has been especially enjoyable.

The norm and the criteria of tipping on a yacht charter

You have to be knowledgeable about what is expected of the crew and what YOU, as the guest, can expect when you charter a superyacht. Many first-timers are not fully aware of the possibilities and restrictions of yacht charters. This can reflect on the tip as well.

Tipping on a yacht charter is not mandatory – they are earned by making the clients vacation a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This fact is also mentioned in the MYBA guidelines: “However, it is important to understand that a Charterer is under no obligation to leave a gratuity and at no time should a gratuity be solicited, either verbally or in written form when settling the final account”. Many times, it is up to the broker to inform the clients about standard tipping practices, thereby creating a potential profit for the crew.

An example to consider

Consider these facts about certain life aspects of crew members on a superyacht charter, before deciding on how much tipping on a yacht charter you should do.
The captain, having the most important job, usually tends to his duties exclusively, but he can be asked to provide vital information or local insight about certain landmarks you would wish to see, or any particularity that would interest you on your charter holiday.

A typical day of a superyacht stewardess begins at 6 am and finishes in the late evening. If guests went on shore for a party night, someone must stay up and wait for the guests, which is usually the stewardesses’ job. Power naps and eating from your feet are regular occurrences, as is the constant multitasking: setting tables, preparing and serving drinks, booking restaurants and activities, cleaning the interior, presenting meals and hostessing.

This means that most days a stewardess is expected to work 10+ hours a day, sometimes without weekends. Switching between charters gives a much-needed respite, but it is an exception, rather than the norm. The yachting season lasts anywhere between 2 to 6 months, depending on the location.

Other times, the crew switches between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, to land as much charter time as possible. This means that some of the crew actually work 8+ weeks, non-stop; talk about a magnificent work ethic.

Also to take into consideration is the laundry: it is common practice for most superyacht charters to do moderate quantities of personal laundry, but this is not obligatory. It is up to the goodwill of crew members to do the guest`s laundry, even though they have an option of declining excessive quantities of laundry or refusing to handle delicate items.

It is even possible to charge the guests for laundry work, but this is rarely implemented. The deckhands and stewardesses always tend to possess a wide variety of skills, not tied down to their duties onboard. It is not uncommon for a stewardess to provide versatile services, on top of her daily duties. Usually, that means massages, fitness and yoga instructions or babysitting.

If you are planning a superyacht holiday leaning towards a full-on sports fest, hire a professional from land, to lighten the workload of a certain crew member. Asking for 3 one-hour massages every day means that a certain crew member, versed in massage therapy, would have to drop ship duties to cater to your needs.

If you hire an extra member of the crew, only for the sole purpose of providing massages, the service provided on all fronts will be above top quality. This should also factor into consideration when thinking about

Also to consider is your professional chef, who will work tirelessly to create a totally unique culinary experience for you and your charter party on your superyacht holiday in Croatia. He will also provide locally as much as possible and prepare local delicacies and native dishes.

Consider the size of the galley and the relation it has with dishing out Michelin-level food; it is a miracle that the chef manages to create masterpieces in such a compact space. Lastly, you can always tip a certain crew member for their extra-hard work, recognizing the effort they put into creating a unique charter experience for you and your charter crew.

Final thoughts about tipping on a yacht charter

When all is said and done, many things will surely impact your decision on how and if you tip. The overall experience of your superyacht charter, which includes, but is not limited to:
● The dining experience
● The hospitality factor
● The level of professionalism demonstrated by the crew
● The attention to detail
● The X factor. This is the one element of experience that sets apart your Croatian charter from all other charters that you have been on.

Consider all of these factors when deciding on how much to tip your superyacht crew at the end of your charter holiday.