Rare mom says Posted January 30, 2018 #26 Share Posted January 30, 2018 We do auto tip, extra tips and generally take small gifts when we travel, not just on cruise ships/ typical items candy, lipstick, eye shadow, ties, pens. I can see someone subsisting in a poverty stricken 3rd world country might have some appreciation for these items (except the ties...what an odd thing). But if I was working full time on a ship, (or at a land resort) and someone gave me a pen or a lipstick, I'd be truly insulted. That reeks of being a pity gift. Show them the same respect you would want shown to yourself. Give them cash, to spend as they see fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanFranCruzer Posted January 30, 2018 #27 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Hank- You believe "silly chocolate" gets shared among the staff and cash doesn't? really!? The cruise lines require the staff to report and pool all cash. and why do you feel the need to use such a derogatory description of someone else's idea of a gift. not very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheezedr Posted January 30, 2018 #28 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Hank-You believe "silly chocolate" gets shared among the staff and cash doesn't? really!? The cruise lines require the staff to report and pool all cash. and why do you feel the need to use such a derogatory description of someone else's idea of a gift. not very nice. Actually you are incorrect. If you remove your auto tip than any cash crew members receive must be pooled. If you are giving cash while leaving your auto tip in place then that crew member gets to keep their extra tip. As far as anything extra CASH is king. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted January 30, 2018 #29 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Hank-You believe "silly chocolate" gets shared among the staff and cash doesn't? really!? The cruise lines require the staff to report and pool all cash. and why do you feel the need to use such a derogatory description of someone else's idea of a gift. not very nice. You are being just a teeny bit naive. Cash, that is quietly pushed into somebodies palm...stays in their palm (its like what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas). And please do not confuse constructive criticism with something that is being derogatory. I am simply speaking the truth. As to chocolate, how do you know that a crew member is not allergic to chocolate or even likes chocolate? But there is no question that they love cash (which can help support their family). And if you want to try an experiment, the next time you dine in a nice restaurant ask the waiter if he/she would prefer a box of good chocolates...or cash? or...if you are dining in Italy and they have "Coperta" on the bottom of the menu...ask if they will accept chocolates or a small gift in place off "coperta." Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ronrick1943 Posted January 30, 2018 #30 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Your right, cash is the best. We never give before, always near the very end for good service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OVgirl Posted January 30, 2018 #31 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Of course cash is king, but..... One cruise I brought a few small packages of dried mango. When we gave it to our cabin stewards one day in the middle of the cruise, they asked our permission to eat it right away while doing our cabin. So, yes they do like to receive gifts as well. Sometimes they suggest they will keep it to take home to their children. Just show them a lot of respect, tip accordingly and be friendly. Nothing wrong with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 30, 2018 #32 Share Posted January 30, 2018 We did pre paid gratuity plus gave our room steward $100 bill and a bottle of wine. She cried! Sent from my iPhone using Forums She cried over the $100 bill...NOT the wine. REALLY people (and we have discussed this sooooo much on CC) ....they don't want anything but cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty9 Posted January 30, 2018 #33 Share Posted January 30, 2018 A bottle of wine? Many ship employees come from Muslim countries where alcohol is prohibited. Not only that, but they eat Halal, which precludes them from eating a lot of what many posters are suggesting as gifts. And finally, no one knows what health issues an employee might have such as allergies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted January 30, 2018 #34 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Most crew members have special diets due to religion -- so don't give food or alcohol. Their cabins are very small -- no place to store "gifts". The crew really appreciate extra cash tips. That is what we give to those crew members who have made our cruise an enjoyable one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDawg Posted January 30, 2018 #35 Share Posted January 30, 2018 So it looks like the concensus is cash is king and just tip extra with cash. :mad: Drat, I just bought 12 dozen hockey pucks to give as cruise tips this year. Hey, it was a better idea than tipping with poutine. Man, that stuff gets nasty by day 7 in the suitcase. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mef_57 Posted January 30, 2018 #36 Share Posted January 30, 2018 If bringing a little something from home, starts a discussion about it, isn't such a bad thing....just know it is a novelty and most likely will be discarded before they return home. A gift should really have no strings attached. Once given, you no longer should have any interest of what the recipient does with it. But I will admit to writing my thank yous on a post card with a Mountie in scarlet uniform on the front - pretty Canadian, eh? If one is thinking of practical gifts as well meaning and helpful, it reminds me of the stories I hear of the cleaning staff in Cuban resorts who receive 'stuff' by the suitcase-full and actually renting furniture lockers in order to house it all. It becomes a wonderful black market. Could be an urban myth, but sometimes generosity is better provided to agencies who know how to disperse - and even they will say cash is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzeluver Posted January 30, 2018 #37 Share Posted January 30, 2018 In my 12 plus years on this site, this topic comes up at least once a month. And every single solitary time, the vast majority agree that cash is the answer, along with positive feedback, keep the candy for your grandkids. Of course they will say "thank you" for the trinket and smile politely. It is their job! What would you expect, they would throw it back in your face and scream at you? :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkjretired Posted January 30, 2018 #38 Share Posted January 30, 2018 You are being just a teeny bit naive. Cash, that is quietly pushed into somebodies palm...stays in their palm (its like what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas). And please do not confuse constructive criticism with something that is being derogatory. I am simply speaking the truth. As to chocolate, how do you know that a crew member is not allergic to chocolate or even likes chocolate? But there is no question that they love cash (which can help support their family). And if you want to try an experiment, the next time you dine in a nice restaurant ask the waiter if he/she would prefer a box of good chocolates...or cash? or...if you are dining in Italy and they have "Coperta" on the bottom of the menu...ask if they will accept chocolates or a small gift in place off "coperta." Hank Hank is correct and keep in mind not all cash is pooled, depends on the cruise line and where on the ship they work. Cash is King and just as an FYI, many crew members consider it an insult to be tipped at the beginning of the cruise. Sort of the concept of well you don't think I'm going to do my job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted January 30, 2018 #39 Share Posted January 30, 2018 I expect all those boxes of candy, lipsticks, ties and pens land in the closest trash bin. donate the lipstick, ey e shadow etc to a women's homeless shelter. i t would be most welcome there. IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted January 30, 2018 #40 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Thank you, OP, for starting such an original and thought provoking thread What’s next? Tipping? Chair hogs? 😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted January 30, 2018 #41 Share Posted January 30, 2018 I expect all those boxes of candy, lipsticks, ties and pens land in the closest trash bin. donate the lipstick, ey e shadow etc to a women's homeless shelter. i t would be most welcome there. IMO When I was a young man, I was a ski instructor at a major north Tahoe area. I can't begin to tell you how many ski week visitors thought it would be great if they gave you a knit cap instead of cash at the end of a ski week. Needless to say, we had a box in which most, if not all, of those hats would later be deposited (and then taken to charities in Reno or Sacramento). Cash folks! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted January 30, 2018 #42 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Thank you, OP, for starting such an original and thought provoking thread What’s next? Tipping? Chair hogs? 😄 How about a thread on how much to tip a young (age 8 to 13 is ideal) passenger for securing, and saving, three or four choice pool-side loungers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unisphere-roy Posted January 30, 2018 Author #43 Share Posted January 30, 2018 (edited) As the OP, I want to say Thank you all for giving me your thoughts and reasons for handling this question as you do. I appreciate your time and effort. I don't think more needs to be said. :-) Edited January 30, 2018 by unisphere-roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfuzzy Posted January 30, 2018 #44 Share Posted January 30, 2018 This is the 487th thread on tipping of some kind..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted January 30, 2018 #45 Share Posted January 30, 2018 So it looks like the concensus is cash is king and just tip extra with cash. :mad: Drat, I just bought 12 dozen hockey pucks to give as cruise tips this year. Hey, it was a better idea than tipping with poutine. Man, that stuff gets nasty by day 7 in the suitcase. :eek: Look on the bright side. You can use them to hold towels in place on 12 dozen lounge chairs. Maybe you could even win the title of Ultimate Chair Hogger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATC cruiser Posted January 30, 2018 #46 Share Posted January 30, 2018 If you worked for an employer who gave Christmas bonuses, would you prefer cash or some gift the CEO’s wife picked out for you? Jelly of the month club Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloopsailor Posted January 30, 2018 #47 Share Posted January 30, 2018 How about a thread on how much to tip a young (age 8 to 13 is ideal) passenger for securing, and saving, three or four choice pool-side loungers? I bring my support pig on cruises. He is trained to save loungers for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc3443 Posted January 30, 2018 #48 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Hard candies and chocolate are hard to come by? The crew are not indentured servants. They can buy any of that stuff if they should want it. They are working and providing a service. It's a job. They are not there to make friends, thought undoubtedly that does happen at times. And as has been mentioned, many people don't even like chocolate. We have no idea what they may actually want, besides cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted January 30, 2018 #49 Share Posted January 30, 2018 I bring my support pig on cruises. He is trained to save loungers for me. We assume you keep your support pig in an appropriate baby buggy :). Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfuzzy Posted January 30, 2018 #50 Share Posted January 30, 2018 We assume you keep your support pig in an appropriate baby buggy :). Hank Make sure you don't forget the tux for formal night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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