Mizwoodym Posted April 9, 2009 #176 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I am a newbie here but have read a few threads that state ideas for staff gifts. It has been mentioned that the crew has no room for things/gifts. Cash is what they can all use. A nice note with a tip seems to be the going gift. some people give them a candy bar wrapped in $, or a post card with a nice note. Its debatable about the idea of phone cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngl116 Posted April 9, 2009 #177 Share Posted April 9, 2009 This isn't really 'something to bring' but it's good food for thought. I have cruised only with carnival and our tips are $10/person/day. They are automatically added to the ship bill. I got friendly with one of the bartenders at the Martini bar and asked her how those tips are 'hashed out.' She told me that the basically go in a bucket and are divided among the room stewards and asst. stewards, your dining waiter and asst. waiter, and the buffet servers. If you choose to adjust your tips up or down you are effecting more that just YOUR service peoples tips! I no longer will adjust my tips. If I receive exemplary service from one person I will personally give them an extra cash tip and I always write a letter to carnival giving them a kudos. If I receive less service than I expected (this only happened once :eek:) I go and see that persons supervisor on the ship. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazy cajun Posted April 10, 2009 #178 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Nice list of stuff here. we have started taking a couple of the large sham wows w/ us when we travel as its not allways sunny to dry swim suits and other wet clothes. just roll the clothes up tightly in a sham wow and it takes all the water out quickly. may need to hit swim suit w/ blow dryer for a min. just to warm it up b4 wearing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erinmarie424 Posted April 10, 2009 #179 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Nice list of stuff here.we have started taking a couple of the large sham wows w/ us when we travel as its not allways sunny to dry swim suits and other wet clothes. just roll the clothes up tightly in a sham wow and it takes all the water out quickly. may need to hit swim suit w/ blow dryer for a min. just to warm it up b4 wearing. Thank you - my co-workers thought I was crazy when I mentioned I was packing ours! :o 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcprncss Posted April 11, 2009 #180 Share Posted April 11, 2009 (edited) Great thread! I have noted some new stuff to bring. Now we have an excuse to buy the Sham Wow! Edited April 11, 2009 by rcprncss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uffdafla Posted April 12, 2009 #181 Share Posted April 12, 2009 even though it is a vacation, i take a roll of quarters and one load detergent packs. (It is the only time i will do the laundry for the wife) we can pack lighter. still bringing home dirty clothes, but may toss older t shirts and others. one thing i do bring is golf towels. they have a clip to hang up to dry. i put one in a gallon size ziplock baggie with ice and hang the dry one on the side of my softsided backback cooler. on hot days it feels so good to cool the neck and face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilivetogo Posted April 13, 2009 #182 Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) Great thread! I have noted some new stuff to bring. Now we have an excuse to buy the Sham Wow! I agree. We are heading to Alaska and even tho we won't be dealing with much in the way of bathing suits, I hear that rain could be an issue. So if we are to come back to the ship after having been rained on, we could potentially have wet/damp/drippy pants, socks, etc. It would be nice to get most of the water out before drip-drying otherwise it would take forever!! SO glad I just saw the Sham Wow at Target this weekend!! I'll have to go get some. Edited April 13, 2009 by Ilivetogo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzlin_33 Posted April 13, 2009 #183 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Ok so the best thing that I ever brought on the cruise was the little glow sticks that kids play with they make bracelets and necklace's. I bought them at the dollar store:) They was the biggest hit in the disco. My husband and I had them on when we got in the nightclub, the crew was dancing, everyone came over to me and asked for them. I had to go back to my room for the rest of them. By the end of the night I looked around and everyone had them on including the Captain and his mates. We won the popularity contest that night :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzlin_33 Posted April 13, 2009 #184 Share Posted April 13, 2009 what are buba kegs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilivetogo Posted April 14, 2009 #185 Share Posted April 14, 2009 what are buba kegs? Check back on page 8 ... :D http://www.getyourbubbakeg.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newrosetravels Posted April 16, 2009 #186 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Wow! This is the best, most complete list I have seen! Thank you for sharing with us. I am going to copy/paste this and use it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francesam Posted April 20, 2009 #187 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I can't believe all this.:confused: You are on holiday for gods sake. My head is spinning with all the things you all bring. I think i'd rather stay at home. :rolleyes: Giving gifts and photos and phone cards to staff seems to be a bit patronizing to me. Give them the money. Will be taking the shoe bag though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francesam Posted April 22, 2009 #188 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I can't believe all this.:confused: You are on holiday for gods sake. My head is spinning with all the things you all bring. I think i'd rather stay at home. :rolleyes: Giving gifts and photos and phone cards to staff seems to be a bit patronizing to me. Give them the money. Will be taking the shoe bag though O dear, hope i didn't offend anybody. I seem to have put the kibosh on this forum. Sorrrrrrry:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgptmp Posted April 22, 2009 #189 Share Posted April 22, 2009 O dear, hope i didn't offend anybody. I seem to have put the kibosh on this forum. Sorrrrrrry:o I wouldn't worry about it. Like any kind of a list like this, you pick out one or two items (like you have with the shoe rack thingy) that will improve your travel and go with it. There are probably routine things that you take when you travel that enhance your experience that the rest of us might say, " I have never thought about that" or "I'm not taking that". It is all personal preferences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeTravelers2 Posted April 23, 2009 #190 Share Posted April 23, 2009 This was a very helpful thread for me. It gives you ideas or helps you think of other things you may need. I would rather take suggestions from others experiences and enhance the trip. I agree no one has to take everything. It depends on the location one is going to visit and what they plan to do, whether they are flying and limited on luggage or are driving and have plenty of room for whatever they want to bring. Personal preferences drive choices. By the way- I found purse size bug repellant and sunscreen in the sports section of Walmart. Just the size we need! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mizwoodym Posted April 23, 2009 #191 Share Posted April 23, 2009 im not so worried about bug repellant.... im bringing some of those hand warmers for my warm weather relatives coming along to Alaska.They are around $1 a pair... and last 8 hours or so. I use them at work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavashine Posted May 2, 2009 #192 Share Posted May 2, 2009 (edited) I'm going on my first cruise in September and I think the most important thing I'll take w/ me is my appetite...for food, adventure & new experiences! I love ALL of the ideas too! ThAnKs! Edited May 2, 2009 by lavashine 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDinWA Posted May 2, 2009 #193 Share Posted May 2, 2009 One good one for those of you visiting a beach. Bring an old sheet. It's so much smaller than a towel, and the sand shakes off it easily. I have to ask -- what size bed do you have that your sheets are smaller than a towel?:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadarocks Posted May 2, 2009 #194 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I have to ask -- what size bed do you have that your sheets are smaller than a towel?:confused: :D I'm pretty sure the poster meant smaller in terms of weight and the room it takes in a suitcase ;) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDinWA Posted May 2, 2009 #195 Share Posted May 2, 2009 :D I'm pretty sure the poster meant smaller in terms of weight and the room it takes in a suitcase ;) Oh duh...I didn't think of that. Thanks. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanuk4u Posted May 5, 2009 #196 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Wow! I stumbled across this post by accident and am so happy I did! I didn't realize how much you don't get on a cruise becuase of the all in one pricing. You forget it's not like a resort where they will wait on you hand and foot with luxury. My first ever cruise is coming up in a few weeks and all your ideas and tip are very useful. I think I have to rethink this "fitting everything" in one bag idea. I thought I could, almost, but not I definitely need one more little one! Thanks for all your tips everyone! Does anyone know if RCCL has DVD players in their TV's? There are plugs on the ships, right? We'll need to charge up the camera and phones and all. Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
augustvows Posted May 5, 2009 #197 Share Posted May 5, 2009 My dad did something really cool for some of the dining room staff when he was on the Statendam recently. Apparently a lot of people take their picture with crew members they really like, and my dad did it one night. He (the crew) asked if it would be okay if he got a copy of the picture... that his family had never seen pictures of where he worked. So dad took the digital camera and spent half an hour or so with 5 or 6 of the kitchen crew members taking all sorts of photos and having some real fun with it! They goofed around a bit, and the pictures are fabulous. He spent about $25 getting copies developed, and they all got to send some home to their families. I thought it was a really nice thing for him to do, and they were very happy with it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HurleyD Posted May 5, 2009 #198 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Wow! I stumbled across this post by accident and am so happy I did! I didn't realize how much you don't get on a cruise becuase of the all in one pricing. You forget it's not like a resort where they will wait on you hand and foot with luxury. My first ever cruise is coming up in a few weeks and all your ideas and tip are very useful. I think I have to rethink this "fitting everything" in one bag idea. I thought I could, almost, but not I definitely need one more little one! Thanks for all your tips everyone! Does anyone know if RCCL has DVD players in their TV's? There are plugs on the ships, right? We'll need to charge up the camera and phones and all. Thx Hey! I'm sure you'll enjoy your first cruise!!! I don't know if RCCL has DVD players but they do have plugs. Only like 2-3 outlets so bring a power bar/strip. My dad did something really cool for some of the dining room staff when he was on the Statendam recently. Apparently a lot of people take their picture with crew members they really like, and my dad did it one night. He (the crew) asked if it would be okay if he got a copy of the picture... that his family had never seen pictures of where he worked. So dad took the digital camera and spent half an hour or so with 5 or 6 of the kitchen crew members taking all sorts of photos and having some real fun with it! They goofed around a bit, and the pictures are fabulous. He spent about $25 getting copies developed, and they all got to send some home to their families. I thought it was a really nice thing for him to do, and they were very happy with it. That is really nice of him! My mom and I made gift bags for the steward/ waiters on our upcoming cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45014 Posted May 5, 2009 #199 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I have not read through all the pages, so I don't know if it has been suggested, but we always take an air freshener with us. Just makes the room a little more sweet smelling! I usually get one of the car mirror hangy thing, and then just leave it there when we leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanuk4u Posted May 6, 2009 #200 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Someone had posted a full list of this in another chat, maybe it will help everyone? I'll repost it here: SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT NOT TO FORGET TO TAKE WITH YOU ON YOUR CRUISE CLOTHING, ETC. Small tote umbrella Extra pair of prescription glasses Large metal paper clips for hanging up wet bathing suits Sweater and/ or jacket for cool nights at sea or air conditioned areas that are quite cool Over-the-door shoe holder Cheap waterproof watch LAUNDRY Small containers of laundry detergent Dryer sheets Nylon mesh laundry bags Pop-up laundry hamper Stain remover pen FOR STORING CLOTHING A shoe rack which fits over the bathroom door Extra hangers AIR FRESHENERS, ETC. Fabreeze air freshener (may be a problem if flying) Airfreshener solid TOILETRIES (PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS) Shampoo Hair conditioner Disinfectant wipes Travel roll of toilet paper Purell or other waterless hand cleaner Liquid hand soap A small shower organizer to keep the soap and shampoo, razor, etc. (There is little enough room in the bathroom for storage) FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Bug spray Sunscreen Waterproof (water resistant) shoes Sunglasses Suntan lotion Plastic hair clips for holding down towels on your chair or holding wet things drying on the balcony FOR ON-SHORE EXCURSIONS A backpack or fammy pack for carrying things on shore excursions Driver Licenses if needed Your passports Ship Cards Credit Card Cash Tour Vouchers & Payment for Tours with tips Waterproof Camera Chair Clips RainPonchos Thermal Bag with drinks & ice DRUGS, MEDICINES, ETC. Headache medicine (aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, etc.) Stomach ache medicine (Pepto Bismol tablets, etc) Bonine or Dramamine Band Aids Antiseptic ointment Extra prescription medications (extra 2-3 days’ supply Benedryl Neosporin Calamine lotion APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS Nightlight (for the bathroom or elsewhere) Alarm clock Hair dryer Flat Iron Power bar/ power strip Extra batteries for your digital camera Rechargable batteries for your digital camera Battery charger Cell phone charger Flashlight Extra memory cards for your digital camera CLEANERS Clorox spray cleaner for disinfecting surfaces LAUNDRY NEEDS Fabric sheets Pop-up hamper for dirty clothes Trash bag for storing dirty clothes Duffle bag for dirty laundry SHOPPING Empty duffle bag for carrying what you buy on shopping trips Empty tote bag for carrying what you buy on shopping trips IF YOU BRING A LAPTOP COMPUTER Memory card reader and/ or cable to backup your photos to a flash drive or CD/ DVD MISCELLANEOUS A highlighter for the newspaper or Patters Bottle opener Jigger Small cocktail shaker Single $$ for tips and misc. spending Sewing kit Bottle opener (“Church-key”) Guidebooks for your cruise desitnations Small roll of duct tape Post-It notes to leave messages for the porter or those traveling with you Cork screw Addresses of all those that you want to write postcards and letters to while on your cruise. Ziplock bags Copies of passport, credit card & important numbers incase you lose it A small pair of scissors A bungie cord to hold open the sliding door to the balcony and/or hold the drapes open Small pair of binoculars Eyeglasses repair kit Thank you cards to leave for waiters and stewards. (They really appreciate them!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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