Christmas Gifts for Crew Members

[Immebsmom]

I am hoping that some of the experienced cruisers on these boards can give me some advice.

 

First of all, what I am thinking about doing is not taking the place of any and all tips that the crew members would earn, so please don't throw that into the mix. We always tip well and usual above the minimums.

 

We are on the Golden for the Christmas & New Years cruise. I know from reading these boards that this can be a hard time for crew members because they are away from their families. I was thinking about doing little gift bags for the stateroom host/hostess, server/asst. server, matre'd and a couple of others. That we could give to them on Christmas day, thanking them for working the holidays. I was thinking about a gift card from Walmart (since those are close to San Pedro and most of the port stops in Hawaii) and an iTunes card and some candy. Does this sound ok to you in your experience or am I making a faux pas? Should I consider getting them something else (like maybe double the Walmart card value instead of the iTunes card? I would welcome any ideas, suggestions and advice.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Laura

[HazyDavy]

Its a very nice thought.

 

But is it maybe a little presumptuous on your part to assume that the people you're thanking for working on "the holidays" celebrate Christmas?

[mollyanne]

I think gifts are a lovely idea. However, simply stated I've always read and heard that the best thing you can give is cash.

[compozer]

One thing that I'm going to do on Christmas Eve is to tell my cabin steward that we don't want to see him on Christmas. We will make the bed, etc. I'll just ask him to give me an extra set of towels the night before. I know they keep a cooler of ice somewhere close - we found it years ago.

[cb at sea]

I think your intentions are good, but take the money you'd spend for the trinkets and just give it to them....throw some candy in if you want, but it's more than possible the gifts cards you pay for won't be used.....

If you give them cash, they can still purchase what they like, without being restricted to a specific thing or store.

The reason these folks are working is for money...pure and simple! Sure, they're away from their families, but they did sign on for this....because of the MONEY!!!!

[Immebsmom]

First, thank you for all your information. I will go with cash and some candies instead of gift cards. I also like the idea of telling the stateroom host to take the day off! Appreciate all your ideas!

[paul929207]

While your heart is in the right place, cash will be much more appreciated.

[Shoalwater]

One thing that I'm going to do on Christmas Eve is to tell my cabin steward that we don't want to see him on Christmas. We will make the bed, etc. I'll just ask him to give me an extra set of towels the night before. I know they keep a cooler of ice somewhere close - we found it years ago.

 

he/she will have some splaining to do.

 

We like to give them pre-paid phone/gift cards

[compozer]

he/she will have some splaining to do.

 

What do you mean?

[Pam in CA]

What do you mean?

Giving them cash constitutes a "tip" and they have to turn it in to their supervisor before they get it back.

 

The crew have parties below decks over the holidays. I've given bottles of wine to them which they could take to the party and they loved the idea. Perhaps instead of a gift card, what about a pre-paid MasterCard or Visa? They could use that anywhere and it wouldn't be tied to being in a port with a store; and, it wouldn't be cash so they wouldn't have to turn it in (even though they will get it back.)

[Coral]

My room steward last Christmas was from the Phillipines and was Buddhist (sp?) and didn't celebrate Christmas.

 

We tipped extra as he was exceptional.

 

The crew did have a huge New Years Party (we could hear it from our room) and they were allowed to show up an hour late the following morning which thrilled them :). They also laughed at it also as it was obvious they needed more sleep but they were working hard, as usual. I think a lot of these workers are used to working on little sleep.

[Pearlbill]

My room steward last Christmas was from the Phillipines and was Buddhist (sp?) and didn't celebrate Christmas.

 

We tipped extra as he was exceptional.

 

The crew did have a huge New Years Party (we could hear it from our room) and they were allowed to show up an hour late the following morning which thrilled them :). They also laughed at it also as it was obvious they needed more sleep but they were working hard, as usual. I think a lot of these workers are used to working on little sleep.

 

Many Buddhists do celebrate Christmas though. They look at it as a time of giving, compassion and human warmth. Christmas is seen as bringing out the best of mankind and is a reason to celebrate.

 

Pearlbill

[babyher]

I think cash is the best way to go.

 

 

Even with friends and family we have been doing more gift cards lately at Christmas. Let them get exactly what they want .

 

 

As far as the ships crew is concerned , you don't know what stores they have access to or which phone cards work from where to where. (unless you get the Visa or Mastercard cards which are pretty universal like one poster mentioned) .

 

As far as little trinkets , even though I am sure the crew appreciates the gesture , they live in such cramped quarters , they don't have room for all kinds of little knick knacks .

 

You can't go wrong with cash.

[donaldsc]

I am hoping that some of the experienced cruisers on these boards can give me some advice.

 

First of all, what I am thinking about doing is not taking the place of any and all tips that the crew members would earn, so please don't throw that into the mix. We always tip well and usual above the minimums.

 

We are on the Golden for the Christmas & New Years cruise. I know from reading these boards that this can be a hard time for crew members because they are away from their families. I was thinking about doing little gift bags for the stateroom host/hostess, server/asst. server, matre'd and a couple of others. That we could give to them on Christmas day, thanking them for working the holidays. I was thinking about a gift card from Walmart (since those are close to San Pedro and most of the port stops in Hawaii) and an iTunes card and some candy. Does this sound ok to you in your experience or am I making a faux pas? Should I consider getting them something else (like maybe double the Walmart card value instead of the iTunes card? I would welcome any ideas, suggestions and advice.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Laura

 

There are more people in the world who do not celebrate Christmas than those who celebrate it. Also, there are some Christians to do not celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25. IMHO, assuming that other people celebrate the same holidays as you do on the same dates is presumptuous and insensitive.

 

DON

[babyher]

There are more people in the world who do not celebrate Christmas than those who celebrate it. Also, there are some Christians to do not celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25. IMHO, assuming that other people celebrate the same holidays as you do on the same dates is presumptuous and insensitive.

 

DON

 

 

Oh please . The OP is giving a gift to show her appreciation to the staff. Her heart is in the right place and certainly does not mean to disrespect anyone .

 

 

Years ago we had a die hard atheist (to put it mildly) at work. One of our co workers was a sweet lady who always gave a little gift to everyone at Christmas. The first time she gave him his gift and said Merry Christmas . He told her "My birthday was December 8th, I will just call this a belated birthday gift" and thanked her and gave her a big hug.

 

 

He realized the gift was given with the best intentions and managed to find a way to be true to his beliefs and not hurt a nice lady's feelings at the same time.

 

Political correctness is going to be the death of us yet.

[cruise pup]

I

As far as little trinkets , even though I am sure the crew appreciates the gesture , they live in such cramped quarters , they don't have room for all kinds of little knick knacks .

Precisely why I didn't give my cabin steward a tractor for Christmas. I was going to give him cash instead but casino security made me put the chips back on the blackjack table.

[RickEk]

There are more people in the world who do not celebrate Christmas than those who celebrate it. Also, there are some Christians to do not celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25. IMHO, assuming that other people celebrate the same holidays as you do on the same dates is presumptuous and insensitive.

 

DON

 

Maybe so, but think of it this way... part of the Christmas tradition is to give away gifts. Although he has roots in Christian tradition, I think one could argue that the American notion of Santa Claus is clearly secular. The recipient of the gift doesn't have to be Christian. The gift giver is the one celebrating their holiday and if it makes them happy to give gifts, then I think it's incumbent of the receiver to graciously accept them. After all, accepting a gift honors the giver.

[babyher]

Precisely why I didn't give my cabin steward a tractor for Christmas. I was going to give him cash instead but casino security made me put the chips back on the blackjack table.

 

 

See when my waiter saw the lovely patio furniture I gave hiim, he was very gracious and he certainly loved the style and color. But you could tell he was looking at it like "Where the heck am I gonna put this?"

 

What did I know back then ?, I was a newbie. Ever since it's been cash all the way. :)

[Keith1010]

I am hoping that some of the experienced cruisers on these boards can give me some advice.

 

First of all, what I am thinking about doing is not taking the place of any and all tips that the crew members would earn, so please don't throw that into the mix. We always tip well and usual above the minimums.

 

We are on the Golden for the Christmas & New Years cruise. I know from reading these boards that this can be a hard time for crew members because they are away from their families. I was thinking about doing little gift bags for the stateroom host/hostess, server/asst. server, matre'd and a couple of others. That we could give to them on Christmas day, thanking them for working the holidays. I was thinking about a gift card from Walmart (since those are close to San Pedro and most of the port stops in Hawaii) and an iTunes card and some candy. Does this sound ok to you in your experience or am I making a faux pas? Should I consider getting them something else (like maybe double the Walmart card value instead of the iTunes card? I would welcome any ideas, suggestions and advice.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Laura

 

Laura, excellent idea. I would go with a gift card from Walmart. I wouldn't go with an iTUne card and I think some candy is quite nice too.

 

While cash is good a gift card to walmart is qually good and what you have planned is perfect.

 

Keith

[beachbum53]

I think your intentions are good, but take the money you'd spend for the trinkets and just give it to them....throw some candy in if you want, but it's more than possible the gifts cards you pay for won't be used.....

If you give them cash, they can still purchase what they like, without being restricted to a specific thing or store.

The reason these folks are working is for money...pure and simple! Sure, they're away from their families, but they did sign on for this....because of the MONEY!!!!

 

I'm with cb on this one. Cash may seem cold and impersonal to some, but for those that aren't of the Christian faith and don't celebrate Christmas, I think it would be a better alternative to a gift card that may not get used, or alcohol (wine) that may not be consumed, especially if the crew member doesn't drink alcohol. I would take a few "Thank-you" cards to slip some extra cash in for those crew members you wish to give a gift to.

[paul929207]

Besides cash, a You Made A Difference Card is also appreciated.

[cello56]

iTunes cards must be purchased from the country where the ipod is registered. I found this out when trying to buy iTunes cards from the USA to give my nieces and nephews up in Canada.

 

Cash is king!

[mapsmith]

Laura, excellent idea. I would go with a gift card from Walmart. I wouldn't go with an iTUne card and I think some candy is quite nice too.

 

While cash is good a gift card to walmart is qually good and what you have planned is perfect.

 

Keith

 

A WalMart Card might not be a good idea. Many ports do not have a WalMart and the Crew Member might not have a day off in the port where Wally World is located. Cash still works the best.

[Keith1010]

A WalMart Card might not be a good idea. Many ports do not have a WalMart and the Crew Member might not have a day off in the port where Wally World is located. Cash still works the best.

 

We have sailed on several extended voyages and the crew can make good use of Walmart Cards. They have to pick up supplies along the say from food items to toiletries. Whenever we need to find a Walmart, they know where it is.

 

I think a combination of cash and something along a Walmart Card is an excellent idea and I also think most everyone gets into the spirit of the holiday season. We have done things for the crew as well and will be doing so while we are on a ship for a holiday cruise and other cruises beyond that.

 

Keith

[griffy116]

I've never been on a cruise during Christmas, although it's on my wish list. If I were able to cruise at that time, I would choose a lovely card with cash and quietly tell the cabin steward that if possible, he/she can certainly skip cleaning our cabin that day. We always keep things extra tidy anyway so all we really need are clean towels. If he/she must stop by, he can whisk in and out easily and quickly. The card would show we were thinking about him/her, but would give cash.