Tipping?

[T34C]

We all have a working knowledge of what a tip is right? I wouldn't tip the owner of the boat any more than I would tip the owner of a cafe. Their business/reputation depends on their providing good service. If the owner/captain "counts" on tips to make a living, perhaps he/she needs to raise their prices. If their not good enough to demand a higher price for quality service, then they probably don't deserve a tip in the first place. Everyone is stating as fact that you must tip. A tip is a reward, not just the rest of your pay that the customer is responsible to provide.

I do agree that a deckhand works very hard and may deserve a tip at the end of the day if they directly assisst the customer.

[hellosailor]

You guys are debating the concept of tips...And that's not the question here.

IF tips are customary and expected, on a cruise, a charter, in a bar, cab, or whatever, then you either pony up and follow the custom, or not. If the broker and the locals say "Yes, around here we tip a charter regardless of who is manning it" then that's expected of you.

If you want to make a political statement and stiff them...that's something else again. Getting lowballed and not realizing you need to pay heavy tips (like a first timer on a cruise line may be) can be a shock. But when in Rome...there's a time to make the political statements, and a time to simply do as Romans do.

The broker who placed the charter, indicated there's a price for the charter, with an extra 15% expected if you enjoy the service. Don't think an owner should be tipped? No problem, tell him in advance you want the "fixed price" for the charter, with all gratuities included. He's already told you (effectively) he's willing to gamble 15% on your happiness, think of that as a satisfaction guarantee adjustment. Tell him up front, if you plan to stiff him.

[ceberon]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

The broker who placed the charter, indicated there's a price for the charter, with an extra 15% expected if you enjoy the service. Don't think an owner should be tipped? No problem, tell him in advance you want the "fixed price" for the charter, with all gratuities included. He's already told you (effectively) he's willing to gamble 15% on your happiness, think of that as a satisfaction guarantee adjustment. Tell him up front, if you plan to stiff him.

I think hellosailor has a really good point. Cruises / charters are priced (and crew are paid) in a way that assumes tip. If you think tipping is only for exceptional service, then you should probably warn them ahead of time, and they can adjust their prices.

I personally would prefer prices be a bit lower, and I can choose to tip the amount I think the service was worth. If I have a great crew (even if they also own the boat), then I'll pay more than I would for a crummy crew. Seems pretty fair to me.

[labatt]

Well, just to let everyone know what we did, we had a wonderful time (positively) on our trip and we tipped 15%.

[Headingsouth]

You wouldn't tip the owner of a cafe, so you don't have to tip the owner of the boat? The tip is not for his ownership position, it is for the job of captain. If the owner paid a captain $1,000, that would be $1,000 less profit the owner would get, so in essence, he is simply working for $1,000 per week in lieu of paying someone else. Makes sense to me if he has the time. If the owner of the cafe was your waiter, got your drinks and bussed your table - would you still stiff him? Most owner/captains are small businesses facing boat payments, dock fees, payroll, etc., just like every other small business owner.