Holiday Gifts for Crew

[0bnxshs]

We are booked on the Veendam for the Holiday cruise of South America and Antarctica 20 Dec 2010 to 6 Jan 2011. We were curious if it is a common practice amongst CC'ers to give a small token gift such as a Holiday card and cash to the crew, especially room stewards, wait staff and other favorites. Just wondering what others do over Christmas and New Years? Or, something else besides the card and money?

There was another question my DW directed me to ask, but I'll be darned if I can remember it now. :p (She's in the air right now between KC and MCO). Anyways, thanks for your suggestions and advice!

Happy Cruising!

[LoveMyBoxer]

When we sailed on the Noordam over Christmas and New Year's, we did give our cabin stewards and waiters a card with cash. They seemed surprised by it and were very grateful.

[0bnxshs]

When we sailed on the Noordam over Christmas and New Year's, we did give our cabin stewards and waiters a card with cash. They seemed surprised by it and were very grateful.

Thanks, LoveMyBoxer. BTW, Boxers rule! :D

[dot73]

I will do that when I cruise in December. I will put some cash in a nice holiday card with a nice note. I say "holiday" card as many of the Indonesian are of the Muslim faith and a religious card may not be appropriate. I'll also pick up in Florida some good candy and put it in a bowl in the room so that they can enjoy it while they are cleaning the room. I always do that and the stewards love it. The bowl is always empty by the last day. They seem to be crazy for M&Ms or Smarties.

[martinimadam]

I think you have a lovely idea. But, just so you know, according to Wikipedia, "approximately 88% of Indonesia's 222 million people are Muslims, 5% are Protestant, 3% are Catholic, 2% are Hindu, 1% is Buddhist. So, they wouldn't necessarily observe Christmas. That would cover most of the room stewards as well as the dining room wait staff.

Most of the bar personnel are from the Phillipines, which is a predominantly Christian nation.

[0bnxshs]

I will do that when I cruise in December. I will put some cash in a nice holiday card with a nice note. I say "holiday" card as many of the Indonesian are of the Muslim faith and a religious card may not be appropriate. I'll also pick up in Florida some good candy and put it in a bowl in the room so that they can enjoy it while they are cleaning the room. I always do that and the stewards love it. The bowl is always empty by the last day. They seem to be crazy for M&Ms or Smarties.

Yes, we have considered that many of the crew would be Muslim or Buddhist, among others. We would definitely plan on appropriate cards. I like the idea of a candy dish too, what a great suggestion! Thanks for your advice. :)

[0bnxshs]

I think you have a lovely idea. But, just so you know, according to Wikipedia, "approximately 88% of Indonesia's 222 million people are Muslims, 5% are Protestant, 3% are Catholic, 2% are Hindu, 1% is Buddhist. So, they wouldn't necessarily observe Christmas. That would cover most of the room stewards as well as the dining room wait staff.

Most of the bar personnel are from the Phillipines, which is a predominantly Christian nation.

Thanks martinimadam, we will be certain to keep your advice in mind.

[TracieABD]

Very sweet of you, and great idea about the candy dish!:)

[Dunelm]

On our holiday cruise last year, we gave appropriate cards to our waiter, assistant waiter, sommelier, cabin steward and assistant steward that included cash and a small souvenir from where we live. They were visibly touched. Also, I bought small holiday stockings, put money in them along with chocolate, and we gave them out randomly to the ship's cleaners and painters--we saw the most beautiful smiles!

[innlady1]

Dot...what a great idea about the candies....I'll have to remember to bring lots of M & M's on our next cruise and leave them for the room stewards! Thanks for the head's up...I never would have thought of that! :)

[LoveMyBoxer]

Thanks, LoveMyBoxer. BTW, Boxers rule! :D

LOL! Thanks. The cards we gave had winter scenes on them, no Santa or religious symbols. It doesn't matter if it's not their Holiday, still nice to acknowledge them on your Holiday! I give Christmas presents to friends who are not of the Christian religion. It's the thought that counts and that you were thinking of them.

[Vic The Parrot]

LOL! Thanks. The cards we gave had winter scenes on them, no Santa or religious symbols. It doesn't matter if it's not their Holiday, still nice to acknowledge them on your Holiday! I give Christmas presents to friends who are not of the Christian religion. It's the thought that counts and that you were thinking of them.



That does count. :)


Sharing traditions amongst other people of different faiths and views helps bestow the brotherly love that is necessary in this world.


PS


Enjoyed our chat on FB ;)

[LoveMyBoxer]

Yes indeed!!! :rolleyes:

[more cruises]

On our holiday cruise last year, we gave appropriate cards to our waiter, assistant waiter, sommelier, cabin steward and assistant steward that included cash and a small souvenir from where we live. They were visibly touched. Also, I bought small holiday stockings, put money in them along with chocolate, and we gave them out randomly to the ship's cleaners and painters--we saw the most beautiful smiles!

That is probably the most touching thing I have ever read. I bet they had beautiful smiles when they saw that for no reason at all someone gave them a gift.

[cantwait2cruize]

Give them a day off cleaning your room, order room service
for them while you are at dinner.....leave a tip for room service. Then give them cash in a card:D

[0bnxshs]

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions and comments. You've all basically confirmed what we had considered was appropriate.

One thing that I thought of while considering this was to give an international calling card that had similar credit to the cash I would give, so that they might call their loved ones/families at the next port or their next leave. I've noticed at most ports that there are pay phones and lines of crew members at them.

Thanks for all the help! Happy Cruising! :)

[dobiemom]

I will do that when I cruise in December. I will put some cash in a nice holiday card with a nice note. I say "holiday" card as many of the Indonesian are of the Muslim faith and a religious card may not be appropriate. I'll also pick up in Florida some good candy and put it in a bowl in the room so that they can enjoy it while they are cleaning the room. I always do that and the stewards love it. The bowl is always empty by the last day. They seem to be crazy for M&Ms or Smarties.

On our holiday cruise last year, we gave appropriate cards to our waiter, assistant waiter, sommelier, cabin steward and assistant steward that included cash and a small souvenir from where we live. They were visibly touched. Also, I bought small holiday stockings, put money in them along with chocolate, and we gave them out randomly to the ship's cleaners and painters--we saw the most beautiful smiles!
Candy bowl and holiday stockings: Great ideas! :D

[LoveMyBoxer]

Give them a day off cleaning your room, order room service
for them while you are at dinner.....leave a tip for room service. Then give them cash in a card:D

We did that also! Even though they kept insisting that they wanted to clean, we left the Do not disturb sign all day and told them not to disturb our room!

[fann1sh]

<snip>One thing that I thought of while considering this was to give an international calling card that had similar credit to the cash I would give, so that they might call their loved ones/families at the next port or their next leave. I've noticed at most ports that there are pay phones and lines of crew members at them.<snip>

In the past, quite a few threads on CC about giving the crew calling cards. Posters much more knowledgeable than me have reported:

* few calling cards bought in the continental U.S. are designed for international calling. Some are utterly useless; others require - for example - 10 regular minutes for an international minute; others require activation, which can be difficult (ie: time consuming to someone on a very short break) from outside the U.S.

* crew know which are the best cards for their circumstances - and often the ship sells them

* a gift of money can buy a gift of a calling card.


....but, I love the other, non-religious, non-intrusive ideas on this thread!