RonneyKay Posted October 10, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 10, 2006 Hello, I happened to catch a glimpse of the Cruise Marathon on Travel Channel today and I got an idea (probably not that original, but anyhow...) I would like to pack gift bags for our "staff" (stewards/maids/waitstaff/favorite bartender as I will be visiting many bars, i can only pick one... etc...) Is this allowed? If so... How many should I pack? I will have room in my luggage so that isn't a problem. its only a 3 day cruise.:) Do you think it might be appropriate to include suveneirs from arizona? I would like to include useful stuff also like shampoos, lotions, etc... Any information would be helpful:) Thanks! Ronney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldeya Posted October 10, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 10, 2006 This topic was talked to death on these boards. Give them CASH. The gift any staff member will appreciate the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonneyKay Posted October 11, 2006 Author #3 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Well SOOOORRRRYYYY I am still new to these boards so I dont know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubrrick Posted October 11, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Hello, I happened to catch a glimpse of the Cruise Marathon on Travel Channel today and I got an idea (probably not that original, but anyhow...) I would like to pack gift bags for our "staff" (stewards/maids/waitstaff/favorite bartender as I will be visiting many bars, i can only pick one... etc...) Is this allowed? If so... How many should I pack? I will have room in my luggage so that isn't a problem. its only a 3 day cruise.:) Do you think it might be appropriate to include souvenirs from Arizona? I would like to include useful stuff also like shampoos, lotions, etc... Any information would be helpful:) Thanks! Ronney Ronney.......some cruisers give long distance phone cards, but the one thing that is appreciated more than anything else is money!! They are able to purchase their own long distance cards from a machine in the crew quarters at a cost lower than we can purchase it. The problem with other gifts is that they only have a very small space in their cabin, and unless you have known a staff member for awhile, how do you know what they like. Your thoughts are wonderful and genuine! :) Enjoy your first cruise!! The Monarch is a great ship! Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonneyKay Posted October 11, 2006 Author #5 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Thanks Rick! believe me I plan to tip, and I am a good tipper! I would just like to give something a little more personal, for lack of a better phrase. If I don't give gift bags, is it okay to bring a little suvenier from home? although, not sure what to bring I am sure I can figure something out. Thanks! ronney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karisma99 Posted October 11, 2006 #6 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I missed a cruise marathon on the travel channel?? Shucks!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonneyKay Posted October 11, 2006 Author #7 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Karisma, usually they show things like that at night or they repeat them on the weekends, check it out on the travel channel! Ronney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixCruiser Posted October 11, 2006 #8 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Their cabins are really, really small, the last thing they need is more clothes or nick-knacks. Cash is key. ### Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2cruz64 Posted October 11, 2006 #9 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I addition to the much mentioned cash, mmany posters have mentioned that the staff has expressed appreciation for things such as candy and other snacks. I've never done this but I guess that they appreciate the fact that you are thinking of them, plus snacks are eaten and not something to take up precious space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmom Posted October 11, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 11, 2006 The crew has very limited space so souviners from home probably wouldn't be the best idea. Phone cards are nice if you feel you want to do more than just cash, however there are limits as to where the phone cards can be used if you purchase them in the US. Often the international calls have to originate in the US and many of the crew cannot disemark in the US because they are often cleaning the ship and getting ready for the next group to board at the US ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvcruzin Posted October 11, 2006 #11 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I agree.. don't bother with the gift packs and give them extra cash. Although it may make you as the giver feel good, the reciever may not need it even though they may express their appreciation. The cabins are small and the items would get discarded. Most of the crew on their days off like to go shopping. For example, many head to K-mart in St. Thomas. Often you see them come in busses to the port in Florida with their bags from Walmart. That extra cash you put in a thank you card will hit the spot and bring a big smile on their face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyscopup Posted October 11, 2006 #12 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Ronney- We normally just add a little extra cash to a resonalized thank you card. We generally carry about a dozen thank you cardsd with us on the trips. Hope that gives you an idea.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jander Posted October 11, 2006 #13 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Thanks Rick! believe me I plan to tip, and I am a good tipper! I would just like to give something a little more personal, for lack of a better phrase. If I don't give gift bags, is it okay to bring a little suvenier from home? although, not sure what to bring I am sure I can figure something out. Thanks! ronney Don't listen to all these post about what the crew members want or don't want, how do they know. You have already said you intend to tip monetary, and just wish to give something personal. I feel just as you do, if I want to give someone a key chain or other trinket just for the hell of it, I will. The do gooders talking about the crew not having space for gifts are not doing them any favors. If I were a crew member I would not want passengers or guest, discouraging people from giving me something I may really appreciate, no matter what it is. It's the thought that counts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruz4Days Posted October 11, 2006 #14 Share Posted October 11, 2006 You can get Visa cards (at Safeway where I live) in various denomination. They can be used everywhere Visa is accepted. They make great gifts and they wouldn't have to be bothered with carrying cash around. I do agree that the trinkets would probably get thrown out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted October 11, 2006 #15 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Cash!!!! That's what they appreciate! Cold, hard cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gambler Posted October 11, 2006 #16 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Yes, cash does work the best but the little "extras" are well appreciated. Candy bars, cookies or fudge, postcards from your state would be great. Another thing we have done sometimes with the room steward, about half way through the cruise, ask him/her if they like desserts and what kind (choclate or other) Get an extra dessert of something good from the dining room for the rest of the cruise and bring it to them after dinner. They love it as the crew does not get to eat the same food we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adorethesea Posted October 11, 2006 #17 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I'm just off the Vision on Sunday and witnessed a couple "extra" gifts being given. I was sitting at the bar and a woman who was there each night for a cocktail and became friends with the bartender came on the last night and gave him a box of candy with pretty ribbon all over it. The smile on his face was HUGE!!! He appreciated it sooo much, you could tell it really made his day. Coming out of my cabin in the afternoon of the last sea day, my neighbor was giving our room steward a small gift bag ~ I do not know what was in it but he was thrilled!! He gave her a big hug and went on and on about how nice it is for the guests to go out of their way while on vacation to do something so thoughtful. I agree, money is a nice thing. But, every once in awhile they love a personal thought. Remember, they are homesick and that little bit of attention is so appreciated. I saw it with my own eyes!!! I didn't do anything but tip extra because I read on here I shouldn't. I can't wait for my next cruise so I can be the one who makes someone's day special!! Do what makes you feel good ~ it's your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonneyKay Posted October 11, 2006 Author #18 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Yes, cash does work the best but the little "extras" are well appreciated. Candy bars, cookies or fudge, postcards from your state would be great.Another thing we have done sometimes with the room steward, about half way through the cruise, ask him/her if they like desserts and what kind (choclate or other) Get an extra dessert of something good from the dining room for the rest of the cruise and bring it to them after dinner. They love it as the crew does not get to eat the same food we do. wow gambler! thanks! I did not know that, I will definately keep it in mind. I am from AZ and we have this thing here called "cactus candy" it is made from cactus, seriously. Prickly pear to be exact. i think I may bring some of this on board. Thank you everyone for your kind words and your advice. I will let you know what i plan to do as my cruise date draws closer. Please keep the advice coming though, there may be something not thought of yet... and for those of you who thinks this topic is "talked to death" please undersand SOME of us haven't been around forever and so these topics are new to us. Thanks everyone! Ronney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmom Posted October 11, 2006 #19 Share Posted October 11, 2006 It would be nice to pick up an extra dessert, but I wonder if the crew supervisors saw the desserts, would they get in trouble or accused of taking dining room food? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldeya Posted October 11, 2006 #20 Share Posted October 11, 2006 First of all to Adelya. Lighten up, the poster asked a simple question and your reply was both rude and non informative. This boards are about friendly banter between both experienced and novice posters. If you cant say something polite, then don't say anything. Can't agree more with the last statement. What I meant in my original post is that this topic was discussed many times on the boards. A simple search would give OP a lot of choices and a lot of ideas. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=323773&highlight=gifts+crew http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=409249&highlight=gifts+crew http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=282793&highlight=gifts+crew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudioFilly Posted October 11, 2006 #21 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Just off of the Rhapsody. I made up music cds for our Meet & Mingle group & had some extra's. We arrived early for the event and one of the crew supervising the set-up asked what they were. I told him and asked if he would like to have one of them. He was thrilled. He found us the next day and told us that some other crew members saw the cd and asked where he got it & were jealous when he told them that a passenger had given it to him. They do appreciate personal gifts. Other things we gave away. We skipped one of our ports and had an opportunity to spend some quality time with one of the Cruise Director staff when we were the only couple showing up for scheduled events. So our last night there I gave her our magnetic graphic door decorations. She told us that those were like gold in the crew quarters. And I gave her the last of my stash of body lights. She was thrilled with those as well. I've started taking a large stash of body lights on every vacation that I hand out at random when we are out at night. I've yet to find anyone that isn't thrilled to get them. You can usually find large assortments for a pretty good price on Ebay. Below is an example of a body light for those who don't know. They come with a strong magnet on the back and can be attached to clothing or even worn as earrings. You often see them sold individually at outdoor festivals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dachshunddoglover Posted October 11, 2006 #22 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I will be cruising on Sov. of the Sea's October 16-20th. and I have my goodie baskets all ready to go. It has been very pleasurable collecting things the last month to put in them. I started a thread on this topic a while back and got the same "cash" responses but deceided to do what I wanted anyway. Goodie bags packed and ready to go! I'll let you know if they li:D ked them. Elizabeth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChoosinCruisin Posted October 11, 2006 #23 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Another thing that is appreciated but cannot be mentioned is alcohol. If you "somehow" manage to have a bottle of something in your cabin left after your sailing, these folks like to party too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBeaSea Posted October 11, 2006 #24 Share Posted October 11, 2006 As others have said Cash IS King however I can understand those wishing to give something different than money (in addition to the normal tips). The crew won't turn anything down and it is a given they will be gracious and happy at receiving anything. One of the reasons they like extra cash is to go to a restaurant if and when they get a day off in port.....cruiseline food may be OK for the period of time pax are onboard but everyday for 6 months would be a bit much :) If you give them little gifts make sure it is something they cannot get onboard, is consumable or easily sent home (stationery was mentioned above-not a bad idea), and is NOT food from the ship (they eat the same food as we do, just presented a little differently :)). If you give them durable trinkets they will appreciate it however, multiplied by dozens of pax doing the same thing over a six month contract and you can see the problem...a) nowhere to store the goods and b) no way to get them home cheaply. I'll stick with cash, it IS cold and hard but has great value and is helpful to their families back home. Presented with a smile and a warm thank you, it is just as nice as a non-cash gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEW 2 CRUISIN Posted October 11, 2006 #25 Share Posted October 11, 2006 WOW!!! Let's not get another crazy expectation started! :eek: There are already too many people in this world who expect a free handout in addition to the pay they get to do a job. Let's not turn our Ship Crew into more of them! HAHA! Giving gifts is a nice gesture, but what if it becomes the expected repsonse to doing basic job responisbilities? Daily tips are given by all passengers (well..supposed to be!)...and now if half of everyone is giving additional gifts, I see that starting a problem. Will the people who go out and make gifts for the staff get more attention, or cleaner rooms, or better service, etc, than those who are already playing by the rules?? :confused: I only say this because, as a single guy, I don't see the need, nor have time to be putting gift bags together for the crew. Oh sure...I can slip them a couple extra bucks for great service, but that's between me and them. Staff comparing who got the better gift bags from who could start a whole "gift bag for service" battle amongst them! HAHA! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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