TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Charter Etiquette/Question

So you feed this guy supper uninvited and he reappears the next night

I would simply say "Your turn to pay tonight"
(for all of you)

That would probably stop this nonsense.

Would it have been wrong for JJ23 to have kept a tally of the F&B the crew had and deduct that from the tip?

I agree that better communication at the beginning or before the charter would have help. As BEERMAN said, TTOL was very valuable for my first and only charter. Because of you all I asked all the right questions beforehand and our charter went very smoothly. In fact, we are still in contact with the crew and had dinner recently with them in Charlotte.

However, I'm still troubled by the crew drinking as JJ23 said. That part would have bothered me more than the food.

I also agree with Beerman. We are lucky to have TTOL as a resource and better communication would have probably helped the situation. I do understand how uncomfortable that is when you are in such close proximity to each other and you are relying on the captain/crew to make this an enjoyable experience for you. Ndfaninnc the drinking is also the most bothersome thing for me. It is unprofessional and don't get me started on the fact they moved the boat after drinking. Not OK in my book. Even growing up with pirates as parents (only kidding a little) we had a rule that there was no drinking (by them) until the anchor was down and set. My parents called it their cheated death again drink and I was the bartender. Sometimes there were multiple rounds of the cheated death again drinks but that's a story for another day. My husband and I follow this rule to this day.

Speaking as a landlubber who has only been onboard a crewed charter for one night (by means of an invitation to spend a free night onboard--no misunderstanding there!!! ) I have followed this saga with interest. It seems that there does seem to be some disagreement with what should be included in the price of the charter. About the crew drinking, it seems pretty unanimous that was unacceptable. I'm just very sorry for the original poster, that, for whatever reason, this happened to them and possibly ruined what was not an inexpensive trip.

You are absolutely right in how you feel you were treated! That’s why I got into the gig of offering captain/cook servicing in BVI, independent of charter companies.

People should be treated well, with respect, and dignity, looking out for their best interests, safety, and fun.

‘Nuf said!

Charlie

The Moorings has a separate line item for the skipper's meals in the BVI. You are not responsible for feeding him or cooking for him. It is a nice gesture to take him to dinner one night.

Very interesting thread - My experience with charter captains has been through onboard sailing courses - once in the BVIs and once in Grenada - Grenadines. When we ate out we always took care of the captain and this was the expectation - but If I recall most places offered the charter captain a free meal if there were 4 paying guests. Is this not done anymore in the BVIs? And there was definitely no rule about not drinking once anchored - o'l captain got hammered at Willy T's and Cain Garden bay - all had a great time! Don't recall this being the rule at Grenada - But the captain introduced us to a wonderful restaurant in Carriacou (the Slipway restaurant - I can highly recommend) and we paid his tab as was expected given the situation. One night we stayed anchored off of Petit Saint Vincent and ate at the Resort restaurant (also another great meal!). The Captain stayed onboard and played candy crush or some such game smoking his weed. Great guy - loved his ganja!

With a full or half charter it is different though I agree - no way should the OP be expected to pay all meals ashore. I would of course extend an invite to at least one dinner (probably the last) to celebrate a good trip!

VERY unlikely any current Captain would openly enjoy any WEED at work.