Yacht Charter Glossary
Gratuity (Crew Tip)
Also known as: Crew Gratuity · Yacht Tip · Crew Tip
Full explanation
Crew gratuity is the most personal cost line of a yacht charter and the one most often left out of comparison spreadsheets.
Under MYBA convention, a charter guest tips the crew between 5% and 20% of the base charter fee - never of the total invoiced amount (which includes APA, VAT, delivery).
What sets the percentage: service quality, crew size, charter length, and the guest's personal benchmark.
In the Greek market in 2026 the median tip is 10–12%.
Tips below 7% are read by the crew as a signal of dissatisfaction; tips above 18% are reserved for charters where the crew has gone significantly beyond standard MYBA service.
How to pay: cash to the captain at disembarkation, in euros, in a sealed envelope.
The captain distributes among the crew according to his internal arrangement (typically equal shares for senior crew, with deckhands and stewardesses receiving a slightly lower allocation).
High-end charterers sometimes split the tip - e.g. an envelope for the captain personally and another for the rest of the crew - but this is gauche unless the captain has been notably distinct from the rest.
Bank transfer is acceptable on long charters or where cash logistics are difficult, but cash on the morning of disembarkation is the convention and what crews remember.
Why it matters for UHNW charterers
Gratuity is the line item that determines whether the crew remembers your name and gives you priority next season. A €100,000 charter where you tip €5,000 will be remembered as cheap regardless of how charming you were at dinner. The Greek charter community is small - captains talk to each other, and a reputation for fair gratuity opens doors to yachts that are nominally booked out.
Worked examples
Standard charter, €150,000 base fee, 7 nights, 6-person crew
Gratuity at 12%: €18,000 in cash. Distributed by the captain - typically €4,000 each to captain + chef, €2,500 each to mate + chief stewardess, €2,500 split among 2 deckhands.
Exceptional service, €250,000 base fee, 10 nights, 8-person crew
Gratuity at 18%: €45,000. Reserved for charters where guests felt the crew transformed the experience - bespoke shore excursions, private chef interventions, surprise birthday set-pieces.
Frequently asked
About gratuity (crew tip)
Is the gratuity included in the charter fee?
No. The base charter fee covers the yacht and its crew's salaries. Gratuity is a separate, voluntary tip paid by the charterer to the crew at the end of the charter.
What's the standard tip for a Greek yacht charter?
10–12% of the base charter fee is the 2026 Greek-market median. 5–7% signals dissatisfaction. 15%+ signals exceptional service.
Do I tip in cash or by bank transfer?
Cash in euros on the morning of disembarkation is convention. Bank transfer is acceptable on long charters but loses the personal moment with the captain.
Do I tip the crew individually or as a group?
One envelope to the captain, who distributes among the crew. Tipping individual crew members directly is considered poor form and undermines the captain's authority.
Is gratuity taxable in Greece?
Crew gratuities are not subject to VAT and are received personally by the crew, not the yacht's operating company. They are declared by the crew on their personal income tax in their flag jurisdiction.
Related terms
Other definitions worth knowing
APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
APA is an upfront sum - typically 25–35% of the base charter fee - paid before embarkation to cover the …
MYBA Charter Contract
The MYBA Charter Agreement is the industry-standard contract for luxury yacht charters worldwide, published …
Charter Fee (Base Fee)
The charter fee is the base weekly rate paid for the use of the yacht and its crew. It excludes APA, VAT, de…
Captain
The captain is the senior officer aboard a yacht - responsible for navigation, safety, crew discipline, an…
Stewardess
A stewardess is the interior crew member responsible for guest service: serving meals, tending bar, managing…
Ready to charter in Greece?
George P. Biniaris and the George Yachts team broker yachts in Greek waters under MYBA-standard contracts. Speak with us directly.