The Tipping Point: How to Approach Marina Tipping

Tipping usually gets a lot of attention from crew, but do they pay it forward? We asked several captains how they approach tipping marina staff.

Standard Practice

All four captains we spoke to said they tip marina staff. “Most yachts tip, especially in exclusive destinations,” said Capt. Luca Triggiani. “If you don’t, they think your yacht is owned by a cheap owner.” His policy is to tip only during owner trips. “We expect very good service and no disruptions with guests on board,” he added. He’s based in the Med and does not tip in their winter berth since they’re a permanent customer. 

“We are a service industry,” said Capt. Shawn Hardman, a veteran with 20 years of experience who now freelances, delivers yachts, and manages a bicoastal management company. “Tipping is a big part of the industry and shows appreciation for the service given. Even a small tip is better than nothing — you just want to spread positivity.” He also noted that some marina staff rely on tips to get by. 

Capt. Kelly Gordon agreed, noting that marina staff can make a captain’s job easier. She tips after both long stays and quick refueling stops. As for how much? “It comes down to their level of service; how well they take care of me, my crew, and guests,” she said.

Budgets

The yacht owner and budget ultimately dictate tipping protocols, said Triggiani and Capt. Sam, who runs a 60-meter yacht. “Owners are usually good with it, but if an owner is against or doesn’t want to fund it, you’re sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place,” said Sam, who asked to be anonymous.

Triggiani emphasized the importance of budgeting tips ahead of time. “It’s always good to discuss this topic with the charter agent beforehand,” he said. Gordon also shared that tips are included in her charter contracts.

Hardman shared that while he’s worked with generous yacht owners, there have been instances where he personally subsidized tips to maintain goodwill. 

Team Tips?

Captains typically tip marina staff individually. Triggiani tips the linemen and prefers to do so in the presence of another crewmember. “I show a trusted crewmember how much I tipped the linesman and put his name on a cash receipt I prepare each time for our internal accounting system,” Triggiani said. “If you tip the linesmen, they will keep an extra eye on you during your stay.”

Hardman also likes handing out tips individually and would also tip in advance of service. “It was our philosophy on board that we would tip — and tip well — right when we arrived,” he said.

Gordon, however, tips more broadly. “I want it to go to the person taking care of me,” Gordon said. “That said, it really takes the entire marina to do that, and the office staff are often forgotten, so I try to always tip them, too.”

Cultural Practices

While tipping is customary in the U.S., it is becoming more common in European yachting hotspots. Sam observed that locations like St. Tropez, the Costa Smeralda, and Porto Cervo may expect larger tips, which are more in line with U.S. tipping customs.

“U.S. marinas expect larger tips, while in the Mediterranean, [tips are] more appreciated because it is not taken for granted,” Triggiani said. 

Gordon noted that location doesn’t affect her tipping habits. “If you work hard and provide me with great service, I want to reward you for that,” Gordon said.

Be Nice

Money isn’t always the solution. Sam explained that he prefers to build relationships with a drink or a meal rather than just throwing money around. “I always think that’s more beneficial because it’s more human,” Sam said. A kind gesture can sometimes achieve more than simply handing over an envelope of cash — and has in his experience. 

Hardman echoed this sentiment. Treating people with kindness and respect, beyond just tipping, goes a long way, especially in close-knit island communities like the Bahamas. Their vessel built strong, genuine relationships with the locals, inviting them to eat on board, tipping well, and sharing boat swag. He believes these friendships contributed to years of trouble-free experiences. When the boat urgently needed help, the goodwill meant his contact dropped everything to come to the rescue — on Christmas Day.

That said, Sam cautioned against tipping indiscriminately. “If somebody’s rude or useless, don’t reward stupidity.”

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