Understand yacht crew gratuity standards: 20% for Caribbean charters, 15% for Greek/Croatia catamarans, and 10-15% for motor yachts. Learn about tipping customs and payment options for your charter crew.

Understanding yacht crew gratuity is essential for charter guests. Your crew works tirelessly throughout your vacation, and gratuity forms a significant part of their income. Here’s a comprehensive guide to regional tipping standards.

Regional Yacht Crew Gratuity Standards:

Caribbean All-Inclusive Charters:

  • Standard yacht crew gratuity: 20% of charter fee
  • Adjustable based on service excellence
  • Most common in BVI and Caribbean waters
  • Applies to fully crewed, all-inclusive charters

Greek Charter Standards:

  • Crewed catamaran gratuity: 15% of charter fee
  • Calculated on base rate, not APA
  • Specific to Mediterranean charters
  • Regional industry standard

Motor Yacht Guidelines:

  • Recommended gratuity: 10-15% of charter fee
  • Excludes APA in calculations
  • Varies by yacht size and crew size
  • International standard for luxury motor yachts

Payment Options:

  • Cash (preferred by most crew)
  • PayPal or Venmo
  • Wire transfer
  • Credit cards
  • Pre-arranged payment through broker

The captain distributes gratuity fairly among all crew members based on their roles and responsibilities.