Gratuity expectations can vary from country to country. However, when chartering a yacht in Phuket, payment calculations are very similar to general international standards, making it somewhat easier to determine how much gratuity is appropriate for the yacht crew. We have compiled an informative list of recommended guidelines to help you decide on the amount to offer when the time comes to tip your crew and alleviate any uncertainty in the process.
Standard gratuity percentage
As with many other international yachting charter destinations, a gratuity of 10-15% of your charter fee is considered the industry average in Phuket. Of course, how much gratuity is appropriate for the yacht crew will be determined by your personal experience of your trip and how successfully you felt it went overall. If you use the range of 10-15%, you will be able to better determine the appropriate tip amount for good, very good or exceptional service while also taking into account any additional factors that can influence gratuity values.
Which additional factors influence gratuity values?
Crew service levels are an obvious factor in determining gratuity values, and if you feel your crew provided an exceptional level of care, you may even decide to tip above the suggested range, however, other factors also need to be considered. One is the length of the charter. If you have arranged for a longer charter, which means a higher charter rate, you could offer a slightly lower percentage as the final amount, which will still be considered significant. Another factor is the size of the crew and considering how many people your gratuity will be divided between. When considering how much gratuity is appropriate for the yacht crew, averaging out what each individual will receive from your overall tip can make the decision a little easier on the percentage amount you will offer at the end of your charter.
What constitutes exceptional service
While it is an expectation that the crew will be professional, helpful and discrete, there are many other factors to consider, such as their approachability or reactions to any requests you may have. If your crew created an experience that was completely stress-free and catered to your personal preferences and boundaries of interaction while maintaining good relations with you, we would consider that a successful trip that could warrant being classed as exceptional service. While yacht charter companies strive to achieve such an experience on every trip, each individual has their own expectations of how their crew should operate, and an exceptional crew will be able to adapt their behaviour to match those expectations.
How gratuity is distributed
It is customary that the captain will receive the gratuity payment at the conclusion of your charter and then distribute the amount fairly among all crew members. You can request a certain person to receive a higher amount if someone, in particular, went above and beyond, or perhaps a group of crew stood out from the rest. Your captain will be more than happy to discuss how much gratuity is appropriate for the yacht crew and any requests or questions you may have regarding the distribution of your tip. Please be mindful that the crew work as a team, and the people you may have noted as exceptional will most likely have only been able to achieve that level of service due to the backup of the entire crew. This is why, in the interest of fairness, the captain typically determines how the tip will be shared.
Methods of payment
As with most industries, cash is generally preferred for tipping, but your charter company may also accept gratuities by other methods, such as bank transfers or credit card payments. It is a good idea to discuss this prior to your charter so there is no confusion or misunderstanding at the end of your journey. After all, tips are a very welcomed gesture for the crew, who will be greatly appreciative of your generosity, and if you felt you were very well taken care of, it could be quite awkward if you found you were not able to reward them in the manner you felt appropriate. Additionally, it may cause the crew to think they did not perform well if you are unable to offer them a gratuity.
Plan ahead
While we have outlined the customary practices in Phuket, we highly recommend discussing what the customary practices are in the specific region you will be sailing with your charter company during the booking process so you can be prepared and aware of the entire cost associated before you embark on your luxury yachting journey. This way you can relax and soak up the experience without being concerned about the final payment amount. The idea is for you to have a thoroughly enjoyable and decadent time onboard without nagging concerns that could easily be avoided by planning in advance. It is a sure way to ensure you get the most out of your adventures onboard.
The origins of gratuities
Surprisingly, tipping actually originated in England during medieval times, with masters rewarding their servants with a little extra cash for exceptional service. This changed somewhat during the 1700s when it became commonplace to tip wait staff before being waited on in return for better service and seating selection by placing money in a tin labelled “To Insure Prompt Service” hence the word tips entering the common English language. Tipping etiquette has changed over time to more commonly be seen as a
reward for good service as it is today as opposed to paying upfront for guaranteed better service.
Contact Isabella Yachts in Phuket to experience some of the most spectacular scenery that Thailand has to offer while enjoying the luxury of one of our superyachts. Our team is more than happy to respond to any queries regarding how much gratuity is appropriate for the yacht crew or any other questions or concerns you may have when considering booking your journey to enjoy the uniqueness of Phuket waters.