What's the etiquette for being a good guest on a crewed charter?
Good yacht charter etiquette comes down to a few simple habits: remove hard-soled shoes before boarding to protect the deck, communicate preferences to the crew directly and early rather than assuming, treat crew areas and equipment with the same care as your own home, and tip the customary 5–15% gratuity at the end for genuinely good service. Respectful, clear communication with the crew is what actually makes a charter feel effortless.
Key facts
- Hard-soled shoes and dark-soled sandals should come off before boarding — deck shoes or bare feet are standard.
- The crew genuinely wants your feedback during the charter, not just afterward — say something early if a preference isn't being met.
- A customary gratuity of 5–15% of the charter fee, given to the captain to distribute, reflects overall service quality.
- Crew quarters and working areas are private — guests generally don't go there unless invited.
The small habits that matter
Removing shoes — particularly anything hard-soled or with dark rubber that can mark teak decking — is the most universal rule aboard any yacht, and crews will usually mention it gently on your first day if you forget. Sunscreen matters too: crew often ask guests to let it soak in before sitting on upholstery, simply to protect the furnishings.
Treat the crew's working spaces (the bridge, galley during service, crew quarters) as private unless invited in, in the same way you'd respect staff areas in a private home — the guest areas are entirely yours, and the crew keep to their own space to give you that privacy too.
Communicating well with the crew
The single biggest factor in a great charter is clear, early communication — tell the chef about dietary needs and food preferences before day one via the preference sheet, and mention anything not quite right (a cabin too warm, a dish that wasn't to your taste) in the moment rather than staying quiet and hoping it improves. Good crews want the feedback; it's how they adjust the week to actually suit you.
Equally, be clear and decisive about what you want each day — an experienced crew can plan a far better day around 'we want somewhere lively for lunch and quiet for dinner' than around no guidance at all.
Tipping and saying thank you
A gratuity of roughly 5–15% of the charter fee is the customary way to recognise good service at the end of the charter, given as one sum to the captain, who divides it among the crew. It's discretionary, not contractual, but it is genuinely expected as part of the culture of crewed chartering.
Beyond the gratuity, a specific thank-you to individual crew members for something they did well — the chef's standout dish, the deckhand who taught the kids to paddleboard — is always well received and remembered.
Common questions
Is it rude to ask the crew to change the daily plan at short notice?
Not at all — flexibility is part of what you're paying for, and a good crew expects and welcomes changes; just try to give them as much notice as reasonably possible so they can plan logistics like provisioning or permits.
Should I bring gifts for the crew?
It's not expected, but a small thoughtful gesture — alongside the customary gratuity — is always appreciated; the gratuity itself is what crews genuinely rely on and value most.
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