Donating to crew fund questions

[CruisinPashmina]

We want to donate to the crew fund in a significant way. How do we contribute in a manner that would best guarantee that our donation would go directly to the fund. By check, as a charge to our shipboard account, in cash? With the "voluntary charity charge" thing still going on, we are feeling a little uneasy. Any suggestions would be very gratefully received. Thanks.

[duct tape]

You can go directly to the Finance Officer on board and make your wishes known. You can pay for it then if you like or have it put onto you final bill. Easy. You will receive a letter of acknowldgement from the Crew HR person, co-signed by the HD or Capt. Thanx for asking, the crew will appreciate it!

[conchyjoe]

We want to donate to the crew fund in a significant way. How do we contribute in a manner that would best guarantee that our donation would go directly to the fund. By check, as a charge to our shipboard account, in cash? With the "voluntary charity charge" thing still going on, we are feeling a little uneasy. Any suggestions would be very gratefully received. Thanks.

I seem to remember a post sometime ago that you could not charge crew fund donations on a credit card. We have always simply dropped off an envelope with cash, marked "Crew Fund" at the Reception Desk.

[Emtbsam]

We have always made the donation through our onboard account and paid for it with a credit card. We usually do it early in the cruise and get the thank you letter from HR etc. The crew really does appreciate it.

[duct tape]

Like it!

[lord of the seas]

I seem to remember a post sometime ago that you could not charge crew fund donations on a credit card. We have always simply dropped off an envelope with cash, marked "Crew Fund" at the Reception Desk.

Always put it on your onboard account.
Cash has a habit of disappearing or taking a different route. :)

[wripro]

I agree. Just go to the Reception Desk, tell them how much you want to donate and it will be added to your shipboard account.

[Emtbsam]

It is not unusual for a crew member to thank you, so I have to believe that it is getting to the right place.

[Jacko]

Ann and I have made contributions for a number of years via our shipboard account. Each contribution is promptly followed by a thank-you letter from a representative of the crew.
I belive the crew is informed of each contribution as some have personally thanked us. As we cannot personally thank each crew member, we are glad this option is available and make other guests aware of the opportunity.


Duck Tape, just left the Shadow in Tokyo. See you in Sydney in January.

[lord of the seas]

It is not unusual for a crew member to thank you, so I have to believe that it is getting to the right place.

How very trusting of you.

The only thing is that the crew member may say thank you for your donation,but the sum will never be discussed.

You could in theory leave $1000 in an envelope and only $500 might get there.Teptation is not good for some.just put the donation on the shipboard account.

[CruisinGerman]

Dear friends:

While one could start another thread about Silversea being an all-inclusive cruise line (including gratuities) and therefore question the need or appropriateness of donating to the "crew fund", for those who still insist on donating to such fund and choose to go the "cash" route (although I agree it is much more sensible to place it on your shipboard account), if you do indeed insist on the cash route, please get an immediate signed receipt from the person taking the cash, detailing the amount of the cash, and the purpose.

Need, desperation, dishonesty, misunderstanding, and the like are just as present on luxury lines like Silversea as they would be on the mass market lines and in any other circumstance of life.

Kind regards,

Gunther and Uta

[Emtbsam]

How very trusting of you.

The only thing is that the crew member may say thank you for your donation,but the sum will never be discussed.

You could in theory leave $1000 in an envelope and only $500 might get there.Teptation is not good for some.just put the donation on the shipboard account.

We always put it on the shipboard account. Frankly, it never occurred to me to do it in cash!

[wripro]

The reason I donate to the Crew Welfare Fund is that it benefits many of the crew members with whom we never come into contact but who work so long and tirelessly so that we can enjoy our cruise.

[Host Dan]

The reason I donate to the Crew Welfare Fund is that it benefits many of the crew members with whom we never come into contact but who work so long and tirelessly so that we can enjoy our cruise.
I know this is a personal question, but can anyone elaborate as to how much they donate to the fund?

Host Dan

[CruisinPashmina]

Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions. We will definitely go the ship's account route. Host Dan's follow up question on the appropriate amount to give to the crew fund each cruise is a good one. I think answering with an approximate amount really isn't too personal. On our next cruise, we are thinking of giving around $200. As this is the first time we have donated to the fund we feel okay with the amount...actually we are feeling that our giving to the people seen and behind the scene, in an evenhanded way, after so many wonderful SS experiences is a case of "Better Late than Never". But it is a start.

[lord of the seas]

I know this is a personal question, but can anyone elaborate as to how much they donate to the fund?

Host Dan

I don't think that you will get too many answers Dan.

[newlondon]

I agree with pashmina. We usually give $250-$400 depending on the length of the cruise.

[Emtbsam]

I think donating to the crew fund is a very personal thing and the amount should not be "institutionalized" for fear of it becoming automatic like the charity charge.

[wripro]

There is a big difference between making a donation voluntarily to the crew fund and having a charge added against my wishes to my bill. I would venture to say most people have never heard of the Crew Welfare Fund and make no such contribution. It's only on these boards where such things are discussed and dissected.

Dan, to answer your question, as said by others the amount I donate depends on the length of the cruise. For two weeks it's usually $250. When I've been on a month or more I make two separate contributions of that amount. When I was on for two months I did it three times. But I know others who donate $50, $75 or $100 and that is wonderful. The crew so appreciates anything and they are so worth it.

[Host Dan]

Thank you for the honest replies. I think the crew welfare fund is a terrific way of saying "thank you"!

Host Dan