Tipping and Gratuity Guidelines | Who, When, Why and How Much?

Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 1

What is the customary tip for your divemaster? :?

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Title changed for clarity - Joe

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:52 am Post subject:

Having worked as an instructor for 10 years I am probably somewhat biased. What do you tip someone with whom you intrust your life and some of the most important and memorable moments of your vacation?

I would suggest at least the same percentage as a waiter who provided excellent service at a restaurant. Not all divemasters are the same, so the gratuitity should be commensurate to the level of service received. If they go out of their way to help you with your equipment, take you to the best sites, show you things underwater, provide assistance when needed and leave you alone when requested, then that is superlative service which I feel should be rewarded accordingly.

My wife and I usually get our dives as comps so we tend to tip higher. On a three-day package to Little Cayman for instance, we leave a $100 tip for the two of us - that is, if they take us to the sites we want and leave us alone. Different people have different needs so I recommend tipping on how well your needs are fulfilled - anywhere from 10% to 25% would be appreciated by most outfits depending on the level of service rendered.

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:49 am Post subject:

Oh my gosh............I'm REALLY glad this is being discussed because I don't know that I would've known to tip like that............dumb as toast apparently...............how much is appropriate after a snorkel trip then........we've always put in maybe $5 or something if there is a tip jar there or have seen hubby hand money over as we're being helped off the boat, but I'm guessing that it should be comparable to what you're saying about diving, right?

Know we gave Joey Welcome a good tip from EcoAdventures after he took us out to that sandbar and made that wonderful meal for us........but THAT experience was so good, I would've given him a kidney........ :-D

Celine Embarassed

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:26 pm Post subject:

Snorkel tours are much easier to run than dive trips - They don't have to haul all the heavy tanks, equipment, less liability, etc. A 10-15% tip would be considered adequate for excellent service provided by a snorkel operation. Wink

Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 3

I usually tip porters about 50 cents a bag if they are prompt and courtious. Waiters 10% if they provide exceptional service. Taxi drivers 5-10% if they do not give you the long ride around. Laughing

Nothing for maids, divemasters, tour operators or anyone else. That is their job.

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 6:05 pm Post subject:

Americus - You are free to tip whatever you like, but the guidelines you posted are well below the going rate. Divemasters, Maids and Tour Operators work every bit as hard as a food server and are usually paid below scale because tips are expected.

NOTE: SOME places do factor in a 15% service charge, so be sure to check and ask so you do not end up over-tipping without knowing it. Wink

Frequent Flyer Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 25

OK - so if I tip a porter $2 for two bags will I find one of them dropped on my foot or is that acceptable but not overly generous? What I am trying to find out is whether a $1 tip would be insulting and a $2 tip acceptable and will a $10 tip send the porter laughing all the way to the bank?

As regards the service charge - am I still expected to tip the wait staff on top of that or is it a personal thing based on the quality of the service? Who actually gets the "service charge" :?:

thanks

sandysea

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 6:25 pm Post subject:

$1 per bag is appropriate for the porters.

Waiters usually pool tips so whatever you leave is divided among the staff. My point is that some places include a 10-15% gratuity to your check so unless you want to tip more than that, don't.

Newbie Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 8

I always tip at least 15% in restaurants for good service and $1 - $2 per bag depending on how heavey they are. I leave $1/night in an envelope for the maid, 10% for our divemaster or snorkel operator and 10% for taxi drivers.

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:12 am Post subject:

Most divemasters do what they do because they love it. They usually don't tend to make alot of money. (Ever check out their gear?...) They are some of the most enthusiastic people I've ever met. I tend to tip them generously because of this. (25% +) Sometimes they can really take your dive to a new level. Over the years that I have gone to Grand Cayman, some have even become my friends.

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:39 am Post subject:

So, Paul, does this mean you are home? Can't wait to hear about your trip and see those pictures! Smile

Since the topic is tipping, I'll put my two cents in (no pun intended). We tip our divemaster 20%, but we dive with him many times over the vacation...he fixes problems with our gear if we have any.....his service and what he has added to our Cayman vacations is immeasurable.

If I was on a day snorkel tour, I suppose we'd tip 10%....we tip between 15 and 20% at restaurants, but as Joe said, you really have to be careful. Until not very long ago, almost all the restaurants automatically included a 15% gratuity in your bill. We got so used to that, that when some restaurants began to not include it, they had to point that fact out to us, otherwise they wouldn't get any tip at all. We didn't want that to happen, so we always paid close attention when the bill came. Nowadays, I'd say only about 25% of the restaurants that we go to include the tip....

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:55 am Post subject:

Yes, Scubachar, sadly we are back home. Crying or Very sad

We had a great time. When I have more time I will post a more extensive trip report. And I have that picture of Joe and I...... Wink

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:41 am Post subject:

WELCOME HOME Paul! Hope you had a GREAT time..........figure you did!

Heard you had a chance to eat at the Cracked Conch.........WONDERFUL, isn't it? What did you order?

We're all waiting anxiously for your trip report..........we were thinking about you! good luck getting back to work Rolling Eyes

celine

Moderator Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 1825 Location: Ohio

Paul,

Good to hear you are back home safe and sound if maybe a little sad to have left paradise behind for now. We have been thinking and chatting about you, anxious to hear about your trip, see some pictures and tell us about Joe.

Take it easy getting back to the reality routine. typing

Look forward to your posts. Very Happy

gardengirl

sun

Frequent Flyer Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 34

Our divemaster is generally a one-man show. He provides the boat, puts up with my family, and gives us some Cayman culture (besides safely guiding us through those crystal clear waters).

We tip him 20% and stash all the unconsumed booze and beer in his boat before we leave.

He never refuses me when I call to schedule.

Cheers

Woody

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