The practice of leaving a tip is a common one in the traditional hospitality industry. However, the concept becomes clouded when it comes to luxury yacht charter vacations.
TIP THE CREW?
Should the crew of a yacht expect a gratuity for services performed during a charter?
What about smaller vessels, like the family-oriented sailing yachts that dominate the Virgin Islands yacht charter market?
The crews on many of these yachts are owner/operators. Should an owner/operator who makes money on a charter also expect to receive a tip?
Customers rarely tip the owner of a restaurant, right?
DOES EVERY COUNTRY TIP?
Questions like these highlight the controversy over whether a charter yacht crew should be tipped. The topic is further skewed by the fact that many charterers come from cultures where tipping is not commonplace.
ANSWERS TO TIPPING ON YACHT CHARTER
Many solutions have been suggested by yacht crews and charter brokers. Some feel a customary tip should be “built in” to the charter rate, but others worry that the addition of a 10-20% bump could price a yacht out of the market.
“Our brokers are in the best position to explain to clients the customary practice of offering a gratuity to the yacht crew if services meet or exceed expectations,” says Sheeder.
“Rarely do we encounter a situation where a crew does not receive a tip, and we attribute this to the communication process.”
AT CHARTERER DISCRETION
Whether or not a client tips, Sheeder points out that the final decision is beyond debate.
“Ultimately, any gratuity given is at the sole discretion of the charterer. We are in the customer service business and must remember that we, both brokers and yacht crews, are here to meet the customer’s needs. We are paid for the work we perform – anything extra is just that – extra.”
LUXURY TAX ABOLISHED The recent Mediterranean Yacht Charter show in Genoa, Italy, learned that the 3 year old Sardinia Luxury Tax is no more. ABOUT THE TAX The repeal of the Sardinia Luxury Tax is especially good news to charter enthusiasts. Anyone considering a yachting vacation in the Mediterranean is fortunate. The law […] read more
The world of luxury yacht charter has finally arrived in the Seychelles. Motor yacht SEA STREAM, a 76 foot Ferretti with room for 8 guests, is now available for Caribbean yacht charter enthusiasts looking for a new destination. Ferretti yacht SEA STREAM is now available as the only high quality, luxury crewed motor yacht available […] read more
PLAN AND PACK Yikes! What to pack? In just over three weeks, you leave on a week-long Bahama yacht charter vacation. You choose a sleek, performance, basic sailing yacht with crew. Your menu provided to your yacht through your charter broker, and your crew is ready to welcome you aboard. Seriously, what do you pack? […] read more
Recent Comments