TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Tipping the Base Staff

I've tried searching for this info but it's difficult to weed out all the discussion of tipping charter crew/captains - which is not at play here.

What's the norm for tipping boat briefing/get away from the dock people? I've chartered several times (mostly in SXM) and frankly, it never occurred to me to tip the person who did the briefing and/or helped us out of the slip. Just seemed like part of their job - but I know, you could say that about anyone you normally tip. I apologize in retrospect to all those people I apparently snubbed.

So, at The Moorings, who is it normal to tip and how much is generally expected?

It's never occurred to me either and I've never tip. I've never seen most of the people I suspect were working on the boat (fueling, cleaning, prepping, etc.). The only people I've met were the briefing people.

I tip everybody at Moorings that helps me…$50 or $100

I don’t tip like bailout but I do tip the briefer 20 and if I get good service from someone I will tip a 10 or 20. Most don’t tip. I probably tip 100 total over a charter.

I was a charter boat owner for a while and I tipped dock staff $20pp anytime they caught my lines or helped me off the dock. If the folks who cleaned the boat were around $50. Operations staff $75-$100. Office staff, when they assisted me or my guests $10-$20, depending. It probably cost me $300-$400 per charter, money well spent.

I always tip dock staff $20pp at fuel docks etc. Whether it’s bribery or not, when I tip after coming into a dock, the workers always pay special attention when helping me off the dock.

I usually tip the briefer $100. Other staff that assists $20 or so.

We all have different approaches to tipping, so no judgment here for all who have replied. We have gotten to know one of the longer-term team members at The Moorings, and he has become more of a coordinator for us. He ensures the boat is properly prepared in the day or two prior to our departure, takes care of us when we are there, gets us off the dock early, and coordinates anything we need while we are out. Therefore, we tip him well (>$250), which we feel is well worth it, and we know it helps him and his family.

Since he has become a friend, I felt comfortable asking him a few years back about appropriate tipping for others. He says that $5 to $20 is appropriate for most of the routine things - use judgment based on the degree of help. We have tipped more to maintenance guys who went above and beyond, etc.

I don't think the dock teams make much per hour, so tipping is a key source of income for them. Therefore, we view it as a way for our blessed family to give back and to support a destination and people we love.

we have the same at Moorings...he is like a brother from a different mother and does a lot for us...

Staff there are treated very poorly since KKR (private equity) bought them and look at it as more than tipping but sharing our wealth with some great people we have been fortunate to know. As Steve says no judgment

I am similar to George C and Ocean Song. I have a boat in charter.

While briefing and getting you off/on the dock is part of the job, all appreciate a tip. Don't feel compelled to tip(I would say most do not think about it) but especially if someone goes above and beyond (which I think a tip is really intended).

I keep pockets filled with 10's and 20's, and distribute as I feel the urge, at the base, chase calls, and fuel docks, etc.

Sometimes, when service is sub-par, I don't reach into my pocket.