Tipping on a yacht charter in Dubai is optional, but it is common. Here is how much guests usually leave, when to give it and who it goes to.
It is one of the questions guests feel awkward asking: are you supposed to tip the crew? In Dubai the answer is simple. A tip is never required and nobody will ask for one, but it is a common way to say thank you when the crew has looked after you well.
Is the tip included in the price?
No. The charter price pays for the yacht, the fuel and the crew’s wages. A tip is separate and entirely your choice.
How much do people usually leave?
There is no fixed rule. As a guide, many guests leave somewhere around ten percent of the charter price when the service was good, and more when the crew went out of its way, for example by setting up a surprise, helping with children or staying patient with a large party. For a short two hour cruise a smaller amount is perfectly normal.
When and how to give it
- Give it at the end of the trip, once you are back at the dock
- Cash is the easiest, in dirhams
- Hand it to the captain and say it is for the whole crew, so it is shared fairly
- If one crew member did something special, it is fine to thank them directly as well
What good service looks like
A good crew does more than drive the boat. They help guests board safely, keep drinks cold, adjust the route to the light and the sea, take photos when asked and keep the deck tidy without getting in the way. If you noticed those things, that is usually the sign a tip is deserved.
If you would rather not tip
That is fine too. A sincere thank you and an honest review help the crew just as much. What matters is that the decision is yours, not an obligation.
Planning a trip? See our yachts, all of which sail with a captain and crew included in the price.