Gift Bags for Staff

[BearySweet2Cruise]

I would like to add to the list of suggestions.

small picture frames seem like a great idea since they have family back home, or a small photo album.. what about postage stamps? I have no idea what it costs to mail a letter over seas, guess cash is best in that case. I love the stationary idea. keep th eideas coming these are great. I have always tipped 20 in advance an dover tipped in the end, but I love the idea of the personal touch of a gift bag or basket. :):)

[jander]

THANK YOU Ivone! This is exactly what I was trying to say in my response to OP!

 

I understand and respect that people want to do nice things for staff. I really do.

 

But when you give out your gift bags to the staff and they happily accept them... honestly how do you EXPECT them to react? "No mam/sir, I have no use for these things and no space to store them so unfortunately everything will be thrown out?"

 

Of course, they will accept your gift bags with the most excitement and gratitude they can express especially because you will be paying their tips at the end of the cruise!

 

I know it's not what everyone here likes to hear but this is the truth in the majority of cases. They want cash, they work hard for it and they appreciate it the most.

Is there something I don't understand about this thread? It has been said over and over again, the gifts are in addition to cash. Yet some insist that even though you give cash, I guess you can't give them anything in addition to cash as they don't want it and do not have room to store it. How in the world can someone say what the crewmembers want? I think some of you belive that they can't take care of themselves, don't kid yourselves, many are very capable and very intelligent. They don't need your help. They may not have room for a dinning room set or a new couch, though.

[BearySweet2Cruise]

Is there something I don't understand about this thread? It has been said over and over again, the gifts are in addition to cash. Yet some insist that even though you give cash, I guess you can't give them anything in addition to cash as they don't want it and do not have room to store it. How in the world can someone say what the crewmembers want? I think some of you belive that they can't take care of themselves, don't kid yourselves, many are very capable and very intelligent. They don't need your help. They may not have room for a dinning room set or a new couch, though.

 

good point and I was even thinking things like a new toothbrush and a toiletries kit..useful and saves them from having to buy those items. :)

[LJLB6]

We took individual pictures of our dining room waiter/assistant waiter---got them developed onboard and gave each of them several copies. They both seemed thrilled with them--said they would mail them home to their families.

[mohavemommy]

I would like to add to the list of suggestions.

small picture frames seem like a great idea since they have family back home, or a small photo album.. what about postage stamps? I have no idea what it costs to mail a letter over seas, guess cash is best in that case. I love the stationary idea. keep th eideas coming these are great. I have always tipped 20 in advance an dover tipped in the end, but I love the idea of the personal touch of a gift bag or basket. :):)

 

The crew members I have spoken to communicate with their family via email. It is so much faster than sending a letter internationally. :)

[sgttami]

I'm sorry...a partly used tube of toothpaste :eek: :eek: or a new one?

Personally, someone's used toothpaste would gross me out!

Chris

 

We'll leave the little tubes of unused toothpaste (travel sizes) that I simply don't want to pack up, room air fresheners, shampoo etc...

 

We've also left slippers!! We were in Vancouver and never thought about packing slippers for the Alaska cruise (we thought we might need them for the balcony). We bought them at the drugstore before we sailed and never used them. We asked the steward if she wanted them since I didn't feel like packing them to take back..(we'd never use them at home)..we even gave her the store receipts in case she wanted to take them back and get the money!! I also gave her a new pair of shoes that I brought on the cruise and realized I'd never wear in a million years!!! She was thrilled and it was less stuff I had to pack..

[tripsplanner]

Is there something I don't understand about this thread? It has been said over and over again, the gifts are in addition to cash. Yet some insist that even though you give cash, I guess you can't give them anything in addition to cash as they don't want it and do not have room to store it. How in the world can someone say what the crewmembers want? I think some of you belive that they can't take care of themselves, don't kid yourselves, many are very capable and very intelligent. They don't need your help. They may not have room for a dinning room set or a new couch, though.

 

In my initial post, in NO WAY was I alluding to gift in lieu of cash tips. I was just relaying to what I have learnt from these staff. And if you read my post, I did say consumables and useful gifts are appreciated too. It's the souveniers (knick knacks) that may not always work well.

 

I did not claim to KNOW what the crewmembers want :rolleyes: nor did I say I spoke to and for EVERYONE on the ship. Each person is different, depending on their circumstances that led them to work on the ship. What I wrote was based on my conversation with the lower-ranked staff, in particular those from developing countries. And why would I think that they are incapable and unintelligent? In fact, you'd be surprised how well educated they are (engineer, IT specialist, medical grad etc). Judging from some behaviour I saw on the ship, they are perhaps even better educated that some of the guests.

 

Please, I am not suggesting that gifts are not appreciated - they all appreciate the nice gestures and thoughts. I am merely saying that let's put a little more thoughts on how and where they could use these gifts. :) I've heard (from them) that they have received numerous key chains, clothing (sometimes used), candles, bags, shoes, hats, ornaments etc - things that would be wonderful for them to send home except that they have to hold on to them for the duration of their contracts (6 months) as shipping these items home would be prohibitively expensive.

 

That's all!

 

ps. as for the e-mail communication, it depends on the countries they are from. Developed countries, sure. But for the poorer countries, it is generally calling cards (sometimes their families don't even have phones - they have to call to the neighbours' house ;)).

[sbgrace]

We'll leave the little tubes of unused toothpaste (travel sizes) that I simply don't want to pack up, room air fresheners, shampoo etc...

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for clarifying that!!! I had such an uncomfortable image running through my brain... :o

Chris

[jamie13usa]

Ok prepacked food is not a problem as long as its a snack that wont easily perish, things like fruit and low shelf like produce are not good, as if the crewmember does take it to the cabin and it gets found during cabin inspection it can get tricky

 

Things that are nice to have in the cabin maybe a nice calender as no matter how much the crewmember says he loves his job he/she is always crossing off the days till he/she goes home. candy is always a winner things like toothpaste and so on are not too personal as we can buy them onboard or walmart. If your state has something indemic (sic) like if you are canadian and they make maple candy or similar.

 

hope this helps

[MistressPhyllis]

I am willing to say that perhaps "COLD HARD CASH" is the most "useful" gift to give the crew, but I don't know if you can call it the most "appreciated" in every case. The thing about the little gifts is that they are special, it's that little extra that shows the crew mean something to the passengers. And you can't put a price on feeling valued as a person... so if that little gift, no matter what it is, makes them feel more appreciated than someone giving a "routine tip" then I think it served its purpose. What the gift is, I do not believe, is always even relavent.

[Frick_&_Frack]

I am willing to say that perhaps "COLD HARD CASH" is the most "useful" gift to give the crew, but I don't know if you can call it the most "appreciated" in every case. The thing about the little gifts is that they are special, it's that little extra that shows the crew mean something to the passengers. And you can't put a price on feeling valued as a person... so if that little gift, no matter what it is, makes them feel more appreciated than someone giving a "routine tip" then I think it served its purpose. What the gift is, I do not believe, is always even relavent.

 

Actually, I think many give the gifts in addition to the cash/extra cash.