I've booked a surprise Wishes cruise for my wife's birthday. What would anyone here suggest as a gratuity to pay to the boat staff? The folks on the guest services line specifically mentioned that a tip is not included, implied that it was expected. They could not (understandably) tell me how much to give. Anyone have any suggestions?

TIA

I think the correct answer will vary greatly based on what type of services you've requested. If it's a large boat with a crew of more than one or two who are serving you a meal with drinks etc., then the answer will be different than if you're just doing a half-hour or hour thing in a small boat with only a captain. I'd say, in general, that 15-20% is an average tip for most services in the US, but you should feel free to adjust liberally to your taste. If all your captain does is help you in and out of the boat and drive, then the tip should be toward the low end, if he engages you in conversation and points out interesting things about what you're seeing and doing, then I would go toward the high end... I can't emphasize enough that it really varies substantially based on the services you've selected and the manner in which they are delivered.