trippintex Posted August 10, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 10, 2017 we where thinking of bring a couple of gifts for crew my be american football tee shirt for the guys and earrings for the girls plus money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemanbobswife Posted August 10, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 10, 2017 A thank you card and mention them by name on your survey. A nice letter to management while onboard is also greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam3313 Posted August 10, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 10, 2017 I usually bring a few bags of bite-size candies for the casino hosts. They usually will then leave them in the break room for the casino dealers. Honestly though, most staff would probably prefer cash. Gifts are a nice gesture, but they have very little space onboard to keep things. Just a thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkIVette Posted August 10, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Cash is always good. How would I know what they would like before I even meet them......other than cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffatsea Posted August 10, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 10, 2017 I do not understand this gift giving business? Tips are cash. That's it. Do you bring gifts to hotels on land?? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havingfun2010 Posted August 10, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 10, 2017 we where thinking of bring a couple of gifts for crew my be american football tee shirt for the guys and earrings for the girls plus money Why would they want a football t-shirt, when they most likely don't know how to play the silly game, giving earrings to strangers, is kind of strange. Let's pretend for a moment, these people are adults, who are working a job, that they have chosen, and part of their income is tips. So instead of giving them gifts, that will get tossed before you get off the ship, give them a nice CASH tip. That way, they can buy their own clothing, and earrings. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHS123 Posted August 10, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Mementos from home: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryred Posted August 10, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 10, 2017 If you think you're cabin is small you should see the size of the cabins the crew has to share. For some it's nothing more than two bunk beds a desk and a wash basin. Trinkets and clothing always sound like a nice gesture but what the crew really wants and needs is the cash and a written note to their supervisor on how well they provided service during your stay. Cash gratuities above and beyond the automatic gratuities assessed to your cabin will be used by the crew daily to purchase things on the ship or in port. That way they can send their entire paychecks as direct deposit to their families. The letters and notes highlighting their services will be used as negotiating tools when their contract is up and they are looking for either advancement or a lateral move to a better area of the ship. Sometimes when you Cruise a lot you do get to know the crew and if a crew member does expressly speak to you about a need that they have been unable to get only then it is appropriate to give them a gift. Sent from my STV100-2 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bury me at sea Posted August 10, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 10, 2017 A thank you card and mention them by name on your survey. A nice letter to management while onboard is also greatly appreciated. This, and a little cash. I jot down names of MDR staff, cabin stewards, and anyone else who goes above and beyond so I can recognize them by name on the post-cruise survey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachbum6264 Posted August 10, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Search for cruse ship crew quarters and check out the size (or lack thereof) of their cabins. Then think of how much 'stuff' they would get if even 3 or 4 passengers on each cruise brought them a gift. No where to put it, people might be allergic to food/candy - so just do the sensible thing ... what everyone else has suggested - cash and a great review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof3cruisers Posted August 10, 2017 #11 Share Posted August 10, 2017 You will not know clothing sizes, personal taste or even if they have pierced ears. At most, I would give them some local candy. Never have, but that is all I could see possibly working. A thank you note and a great review in addition to tips are really a good way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springs741 Posted August 10, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 10, 2017 OP was asking what they might give in addition to cash not instead of cash. I understand the idea. Cash is not personal. That said, I have to agree "things" are not needed. I leave extra cash with a note and be sure to make mention of ways my cruise was enhanced in my post cruise survey. I do ask my stateroom steward , favorite bar staff in the casino and MDR staff about going into port. If they say they will not be going I always ask if there is anything I can pick up for them. I have brought back a few things and refused payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic6318 Posted August 10, 2017 #13 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Hi there This issues has been debated many times. We all realize that people want to go that extra distance to show their appreciation, but the question is why do people think that this would be appropriate for these workers. When was the last time you went to a restaurant at home and left your waiter a few dollars and a T-shirt for a tip? Maybe you gave the taxi drive some nice earrings when they dropped you off at the port? If you want it to be personal fold the "extra" money in a piece of paper where you say how they made your vacation so memorable, when you thank them. Don't forget to name them in the survey. That helps them in their career. hope this helps 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddylover Posted August 10, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 10, 2017 I do ask my stateroom steward , favorite bar staff in the casino and MDR staff about going into port. If they say they will not be going I always ask if there is anything I can pick up for them. I have brought back a few things and refused payment. Awww.....that is such a sweet thing to do and a GREAT idea for those of us who like to 'give something' in addition to an extra cash tip!! That way they get what they want and can use (if anything at all). THANKS!! :* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted August 10, 2017 #15 Share Posted August 10, 2017 OP was asking what they might give in addition to cash not instead of cash. I understand the idea. Cash is not personal. That said, I have to agree "things" are not needed. I leave extra cash with a note and be sure to make mention of ways my cruise was enhanced in my post cruise survey. I do ask my stateroom steward , favorite bar staff in the casino and MDR staff about going into port. If they say they will not be going I always ask if there is anything I can pick up for them. I have brought back a few things and refused payment. We do those things also. We've bought all sorts of things for the crew because they answered our question. We bought a tshirts for one steward's daughter. He was happy because he wasn't able to get off the ship in a new (for him) port. One hostess liked coffee candy, every cruise we made sure we got a bag for her. We sailed with her many times out of Long Beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towel Critter Posted August 10, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Cash will be much appreciated... not so sure about other gifts. Crew quarters are small with limited storage and they are usually working to support a family back home... so yeah, cash. JMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted August 10, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Honestly, all they really want and appreciate is CA$H! They have so very little space in their cabin area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrritatedEllipses Posted August 10, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 10, 2017 As a bartender my most memorable and heart warming moments are those when someone gave me something special beyond cash. A gift card for flowers for a sick relative. An iPod when they found out I usually spend two hours cleaning after closing. A pin for my favourite sports team. One guest even tried to get me a car. I'm bringing something special for my MDR Waiter, my Cabin Steward, and my favourite bartender (Who will be getting one of my bar blades). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cccer Posted August 10, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Have to go with cash also. Sports shirts or earrings are too personal and mementos from someones home town are probably not wanted either. I know i wouldn't want some inexpensive memento from someones home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kktexas Posted August 10, 2017 #20 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Always bring some Texas made candy. Also discovered they like gift cards from CVS, Walgreens and Starbucks. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted August 10, 2017 #21 Share Posted August 10, 2017 A thank you card and mention them by name on your survey. A nice letter to management while onboard is also greatly appreciated. As usual, you are correct again. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemanbobswife Posted August 10, 2017 #22 Share Posted August 10, 2017 As usual, you are correct again. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Well thanks, Jimbo [emoji3] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastersLevelMama Posted August 10, 2017 #23 Share Posted August 10, 2017 As someone who worked for many years in the service industry, cash is always best. As we use to say, no verbal tips. ;) I am sure they all have bills to pay and many have families to support. If I feel the need to tell someone's boss, I prefer to do it writing; comment card, email and the like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs.Gosse Posted August 10, 2017 #24 Share Posted August 10, 2017 As a bartender my most memorable and heart warming moments are those when someone gave me something special beyond cash. A gift card for flowers for a sick relative. An iPod when they found out I usually spend two hours cleaning after closing. A pin for my favourite sports team. One guest even tried to get me a car. I'm bringing something special for my MDR Waiter, my Cabin Steward, and my favourite bartender (Who will be getting one of my bar blades). This is very true. The servers at my restaurant feel so touch when a special guest thinks of them and gives them a gift along with a cash tip. And I think that the sentiment of the OP is really kind and when people think it's too personal, well we become very close with our stewards after several days don't we? But also being in the service industry I know that the same servers and bartenders at my restaurant would not be thrilled with having to find somewhere to put an item given to them by a guest if they were on a cruise ship. Most hospitality industries will give extra incentive to those that are mentioned by name. So everyone's recommendation on filling out the comment cards and doing the surveys are absolutely correct. At my husband's work if you were mentioned by name in a survey you got $50 cash. For all we know there are similar practices aboard the ship. So it is a lovely thought but it is probably better to just stick with cash and ask if they need anything in Port. We always ask but no one is ever asked us to buy anything for them. I almost wish they would so I can feel like I'm doing something extra for them. Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trippintex Posted August 10, 2017 Author #25 Share Posted August 10, 2017 As a bartender my most memorable and heart warming moments are those when someone gave me something special beyond cash. A gift card for flowers for a sick relative. An iPod when they found out I usually spend two hours cleaning after closing. A pin for my favourite sports team. One guest even tried to get me a car. I'm bringing something special for my MDR Waiter, my Cabin Steward, and my favourite bartender (Who will be getting one of my bar blades). and you are from the usa and get to go home every night people on the ship 6 to 8 or 9 months 18+ hours everyday no hole days off and alot of passengers think these people are there personal servents and give them hell. the last 2and half years we saild liberty of the sea 14 timeand got to meet a lot of the crew as the went home and came back sure the love every pennie you give them and all the extra money too but if you get to talk with them the like special thing too we sent bags of candy down to the dishwasher who never get nothing but a small check as americans we need to be thankful we can do what we do and pass it forward thank you for doing the little extra you do its realy big deal thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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