Staff Stewards

[cmevans]

This will be our first cruise and would like to give our room stewards something special besides a regular tip just wondering what would he or she would really like to have or use and suggestions are appreciated [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
THANK YOU

First Cruise Triumph 7/24/2004
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[Josie77]

Maybe a phone card.

[tef43]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cmevans:
just wondering what would he or she would really like to have or use <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Cash. Nothing else really matters.

[B]Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas[/B]
[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/almamater.jpg[/img]
Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;10;9;7;10;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Followed by:
Carnival Valor 10/30/05 CC Group
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
And then:
Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;12;10;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

[I]Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.[/I]

[cmevans]

JOSIE,
Thank You is a US phone card good or do I need to buy one at a port?

First Cruise Triumph 7/24/2004
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[Cotton]

I think that's a good idea, and I do that, as well. The past three cruises, I've taken a "happy bag" for my steward. They seem to be very pleased. (This is, of course, in addition to the automatic tipping.)

I include a variety of small itmes - mini flashlight w/batteries, note pads and pens, disposable camera, candy bars, cookies, cracker snacks, mini-calculator, and whatever else I come across that I think they may be able to use. I know their own cabin space is cramped, so I don't get any large items.

Let me warn you - there are SOME folks on this board who pooh-pooh the idea, and will reply that the stewards need more money, not 'goodies'. I like seeing the stewards smile, genuinely glad to get these bags, so I will continue doing this on each cruise.

I also leave $1 taped to the mirror every morning. (Just another little 'thankyou)'). and I also tip an add'l $5 as I'm leaving my cabin on the last morning.



Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[cmevans]

Cotton,
Thank you for the ideas I also plan on giving extra tips for good service but also wanted to give someting extra to show appreciation for there time and effort the dollor on the mirror is a great idea gives them something extra to look forward to comeing to our room!!

First Cruise Triumph 7/24/2004
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;07;24;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[S.S. Cruisers]

Cmevans: We buy the International phone cards so if they get transferred from the ship you are on, they can use the cards anywhere. Last cruise, one of the bar waiters was unexpectedly
transferred. It took affect the following cruise. We had xtra phone cards and he was very appreciative so he could call his family and tell them.

Vision of the Seas 11/04
Carnival Spirit 10/03
Ecstasy 12/02
Ecstasy 05/02
Statendam 12/01
Norwegian Wind 12/00
Viking Serenade 09/00
Rhapsody of the Seas 12/99
Holiday 01/98
Nordic Prince 10/94
Viking Serenade 09/93
Song of America 10/92

[cmevans]

Can we find the international cards in US or at a Port?
Thank You for the info This board has been so helpful and nice

First Cruise Triumph 7/24/2004
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[tef43]

cmevans, you should be applauded for at least asking the question.

It *is* refreshing to see people asking about giving *more* to the staff, regardless of whatever form it takes. Too many times these threads get clogged up with questions on how to remove tips, etc. but of course, the question is framed delicately (most of the time), so that we don't get the idea that they are just CHEAP.

And if your steward has no use for the phone card, he can always sell it to one of the other crew members. Problem solved.

Keep in mind that these people work a gazillion hours and get paid something ridiculous like $50/month. They not only live on the tips, but in many cases send extra money back home. Phone cards and goodie bags are fine to *supplement* your cash gratuities, but certainly not to replace them. I still firmly believe that extra cash is not only more practical, but appreciated more. Heck, they appreciate *anything* given the number of people who still try to stiff them. The line of people at the Purser's Desk taking tips off the S&S card is nothing short of disgusting.

But that is another rant for another thread ...

[B]Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas[/B]
[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/almamater.jpg[/img]
Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;10;9;7;10;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Followed by:
Carnival Valor 10/30/05 CC Group
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
And then:
Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;12;10;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

[I]Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.[/I]

[S.S. Cruisers]

Cmevans: Our local Radio Shack carries them. The gal there is very knowledgeable so she points me in the right direction of which card is best. The info should be on the back with the restrictions. Sorry I don't remember what brand I got last time. I usually get a handful of $10 & $20 ones. That way we can hand them out to outstanding wait staff as we go.

Vision of the Seas 11/04
Carnival Spirit 10/03
Ecstasy 12/02
Ecstasy 05/02
Statendam 12/01
Norwegian Wind 12/00
Viking Serenade 09/00
Rhapsody of the Seas 12/99
Holiday 01/98
Nordic Prince 10/94
Viking Serenade 09/93
Song of America 10/92

[cmevans]

Thank You S S Cruisers
I will give our local Radio Shack a try.!

First Cruise Triumph 7/24/2004
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;07;24;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[S.S. Cruisers]

I'm glad you posted this thread. I need to get in gear and start buying the cards for November. I get one or two every couple of weeks, then the $ don't hit all at once. The cards I got last time don't expire till you start to use them, so that was good. Some cards expire so many months after they activate them, not so good. Like Tom said, if they can't use them, they sell them to their buddies, so no loss.

Vision of the Seas 11/04
Carnival Spirit 10/03
Ecstasy 12/02
Ecstasy 05/02
Statendam 12/01
Norwegian Wind 12/00
Viking Serenade 09/00
Rhapsody of the Seas 12/99
Holiday 01/98
Nordic Prince 10/94
Viking Serenade 09/93
Song of America 10/92

[cmevans]

Good Idea!! I better get busy only have 64 days left for Triumph getting very excited this message board has helped the time pass and with a lot of info
Thanks Everyone !!!!!

First Cruise Triumph 7/24/2004
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;07;24;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[Josie77]

I buy AT & T cards at Sam's. The price is good and the cards are good for domestic or international calls. I even use one for my home long distance as it works out cheaper.

[hstrybuf]

Cash, a smile and a friendly attitude.

[img]http://www.bensleyraceteam.com/Ani_Gif_Images/bookworm2.gif[/img]

Navigator OTS 10/04
Legend 04/04
Grand Princess 09/03
Dawn Princess 01/03
Enchantment OTS 10/02
Destiny 01/02
Sensation 08/99

[cmevans]

I did plan on keeping the automatic gratuity on the sign and sail card plus extra tips if deserved but wanted to give even alittle extra on our first day to show our appreciation for what the sewards do

First Cruise Triumph 7/24/2004
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;07;24;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[Megandie]

It's really refreshing to see people who actually want to give these kids more than they expect rather than stiff them.

I've seen passengers talk to, order them and make demands to the room stewards as if they were their personal slaves and that really ticks me off.

Those kids work VERY VERY hard for VERY VERY little and they send most of their money home to their families.

They will appreciate anything and everything you give them.

Sail Time!!!
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[cmevans]

What are the average age of the staff?

First Cruise Triumph 7/24/2004
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[L2J]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cmevans:
This will be our first cruise and would like to give our room stewards something special

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Something special? How about a big tip if they are deserving?

Do you want to be remembered by them on the next cruise as "the couple that gave me a bag of crap"? I wonder how many hundreds of pounds of candy and "junk" get thrown away by the staff (CREW) every week?

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!
[img]http://heathersanimations.com/military/newparach.gif[/img]



[img]http://www.bigotis.com/saintsinners.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif[/img]

NCL Sky 2/02

[Cotton]

Liv, I guess it's a good thing we don't all think the way you do about this particular issue. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

My steward told me last cruise that they have a 'crew store' with candy, cookies, snack crackers, etc. at discounted prices, BUT are always glad to get these items and not have to pay for them!!!

I also always leave any magazines (People, etc.) in the cabin, and he said they all share the magazines.

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[nancy M.]

Do you all usually give these "gifts" on the first day of the cruise or the last day? Just curious because I have read between the lines that both have been done. This is something that I am thinking about doing also (of course along with the prepaid gratuities and extra I am sure) and just wondering which was better.

Nancy
sailing Conquest 6/27/04

[Cotton]

I always make a point of meeting my cabin steward as soon as possible. It's according to how busy he seems on the first day. Sometimes, I wait until the morning of the second day to give him the goodie bag.

I've always enjoyed my cabin stewards, and try to chat a little with them if they don't seem rushed. (Hey, sometimes, I have to almost play 'charades' because of the English barrier, but somehow or other, we manage to communicate. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[DEL67]

I have found that the cabin stewards (and waiters) enjoy something "personal," no matter how small. For example, I gave them a bag of candy last Halloween and they each thanked me multiple times.

Dale

[kimberlys]

I have to disagree with the remark:

Do you want to be remembered by them on the next cruise as "the couple that gave me a bag of crap"?

I am one of the people who gave my cabin steward a gift bag full of presents on our last cruise in April. When he opened it, I thought he was going to cry. And no, they weren't tears of agony. After he openend the bag, he gave me a GENUINE hug.
Of course, we left the automatic gratuity on on Sail and Sign card plus we gave him a BIG extra tip at the end of the cruise. At the end of the vacation, I'm sure we were known as the couple who treated him with the respect he so rightly deserved!
-kim

[Megandie]

On the first day at boarding, the stewards are usually busy getting the baggage to the rooms..so you'll be able to nab them after the luggage gets delivered. They want to have the bags in the rooms before first seating.

I always make it a point to meet him/her after that, introduce myself and let them know if I have any special requirements or needs during the cruise. They will do everything they can to accommodate and I make sure I tip them very well for the service.

I'm not a person who leaves my room a mess just because I know they'll clean it up because, I don't leave my rooms looking like pig styes at home, and I won't do it on a ship or hotel either. I make straightening up my cabin as easy as possible...and I find they always leave me extra goodies from the ship when I do! I'll always come back to my room to find a basket of fruit, a plate of cookies and other little presents from them. I have more nice ballpoint pens and pins than I need from them!

Sail Time!!!
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