When it comes to tipping on a party boat, the general rule of thumb is to leave a 15% tip. This tip is usually split between the captain and the mate, with the mate receiving a slightly larger portion. On larger vessels, there may be more than one sailor and the tip breakdown may vary from ship to ship. In these cases, it is customary to leave a 20% tip, which will be divided among the three crew members as they see fit.
If you would like to show your appreciation for an individual crew member, you can give them an individual tip. However, on some ships, the captain is paid enough in freight that all tips go to his sailors. If you are unsure of how to handle the tipping situation, you can always ask the captain or mate for advice. According to the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA), tips for yachts should range from 5% to 15%.
You can give your tip in cash, by check or even by bank transfer if you don't want to carry a significant amount of cash during your vacation. You may also be able to use your charter agent to transfer a tip to the captain. It is customary to give a standard tip of 10-20%, although this amount may increase if the crew members are particularly helpful or courteous. Even if you don't catch any fish, it is still polite to leave a tip as a way of thanking the crew for their hard work.
On some ships, tipping is even mandatory.
