Gift ideas for crew?

[peg2001]

I like the idea of phone cards as gifts for the DCL crew. Are there any other gift ideas? Is there anything that they would especially appreciate receiving? Maybe something that they would not be able to get for themselves. . .regional gifts perhaps?

[Michelemouse]

After taking my kids to a local sugarhouse this Spring, and learning that maple syrup is only made in parts of the US and Canada, I bought some for crew gifts. The sugarhouse had adorable, small, glass, syrup-filled bottles that were shaped like a maple leaf. They were $4 each and I bought 10 of them. The tag on each bottle says that the syrup was made here in Connecticut so I thought it would be a nice regional gift.

I've also purchased several phone cards which I will also give out.

[atigeg]

In addition to phone cards, I've brought Frango mints (a delicious chocolate Chicago treat...I get them in boxes with the downtown skyline on them), little goodies from Bath & Body Works, and four-pack rum coolers.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[minniegidget]

Questions about phone cards?
Do you give crew members any type of phone cards or do they need to be ones for over seas.
I would like do buy some before I go on my cruise on aug 22 02.

[inkkognito]

You will definitely want to get the type that can be used overseas, as they crew members come from all parts of the globe and typically use the cards to call family and friends back home. Also, be aware that the "minutes" value listed on the card is typically for U.S. For example, a card marked 30 or 45 minutes might only be good for as little as 6 minutes, depending on where the person is calling...at least it's enough time to say a quick "hello."
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[kellyb2000]

I know I am about to be the selfish, hateful old goat in this group, but is it really necessary to give gifts to crew members? Is the pretty nice tip they get from over 90% of people on board not enough? Afterall, is this not what they were hired for and get paid to do? When I'm on vacation, I'm going to think about my family and me, not the people that work there. To me it's no different than say the people that clean the rooms when you stay in condos. Just some thoughts from the other side. Before I get bashed let me say that I was a waitress for 7 years so I have worked for the public but I never expected more than a decent tip.

[Michelemouse]

No bashing here Kellyb...just another side...

The fact that a gift is not expected is exactly what makes me want to give one. On our past two cruises we have encountered some wonderful castmembers that were not among those we tipped at the end...a particular bartender, one of the entertainment staff, a children's club CM, etc. These people each went above and beyond, as far as we were concerned, and definitely deserved more than just a thanks. They were special to us and made our trip even more memorable than it already was. At that time I had not thought about bringing crew gifts but this time I will be prepared. Will I hand them out to everyone? Nope. Just those who go out of their way to give us a great vacation.

[Michelemouse]

No bashing here Kellyb...just another side...

The fact that a gift is not expected is exactly what makes me want to give one. On our past two cruises we have encountered some wonderful castmembers that were not among those we tipped at the end...a particular bartender, one of the entertainment staff, a children's club CM, etc. These people each went above and beyond, as far as we were concerned, and definitely deserved more than just a thanks. They were special to us and made our trip even more memorable than it already was. At that time I had not thought about bringing crew gifts but this time I will be prepared. Will I hand them out to everyone? Nope. Just those who go out of their way to give us a great vacation.

All too often in today's society we comment on the negative. I prefer to reward the positive and let the negative wither away. There is nothing better to me than the look on someone's face when you tell them you appreciate them.

Just my $.02.

[kellyb2000]

I agree - there's no better way to make a person's day than to tell them that they have made YOUR day or in this case your vacation! I guess on our first (and only so far) cruise, we didn't encounter too many people that just stuck out in our minds. But maybe we weren't looking for it, either. We don't have children (yet, but will on our next one!!) so the only "extra" people we came in contact with were bartenders and we left our tip and went on about our business. Everyone was nice and did their job, but it wasn't anything that I thought was extra special. Just so you know I have a heart - I did write to DCL commenting on how good our room steward was!!! Woo-Hoo Kelly, good one!

[wovenwonder]

Gift Ideas -- The Crew Appreciates the Little Things.....

On our April 2002 cruise I was in the Dining room for Lunch. I took along my 24oz sport bottle which had a 'coke' logo on it to the dining room. After we ate, I asked the server if he wouldn't mind filling it with ice water for me. (He offered to fill it will soda, but I wanted water). When he gave it back to me, he commented how much he liked it and how he often takes 'American' labeled things home for his kids. He asked if I purchased it on the ship or on one of the islands. I told him that I brought it from home. I had an extra sport bottle in the room that we were not using [also with a Coke logo] so I found him later that evening in the dining rooms and offered it to him for one of his children. He stood there in the middle of the dining room and cried as he was hugging me. He could not believe my kindness. The last morning of the trip -- rather than dragging my sport bottle home with me, I looked him up again and gave him the second one also. Another round of tears, hugs, kisses, and thank you's came from him.
:D

[Fawn]

What a great idea! :) I'm going to look for some American type things at good prices between now and our cruise. I'm particularly thinking USA Pins and stuff, but any little USA thing would do.

With all of the crew from different countries, it would be fun for them to have little things to send home to their families!

[Beth E. (NJ)]

That is a good idea! My sister works for a company that runs tour groups for teenagers. This summer she is working an Australian tour. She usually looks for things with the American flag (or some other "American" symbol) on them to give people. When she went to Russia she brought some relatively cheap t-shirts and some flag pins with her. She also brought American flag pens and pencils. The people loved to get them as a small token of friendship.

[luv2kids]

We live in the New Orleans area and decided to bring jazz t-shirts, Zapp's brand potato chips, and pralines to our room steward, and dining staff. They were so excited! Now, they want to visit us here! Wouldn't that be cool!

I think it's nice to share a little of your hometown with people from all over!
:D

[cumickey]

At Big Lots I found some 'Disney Home' 2003 felt calendars that are craft kits and it ends up being 11"x20" with a dowel to hang it up and places to stick photos. The one I liked best was the Pooh and Piglet one and has "2003 Wish on the wind......" at the top. For $2.99, it is flat and takes up no room, so taking them along for a gift for a special cm, room attendant or server. I will still look for other things as there is nothing like getting to give, after all our taking. We are never comfortable giving cash to people we befriend (but do it nontheless and generously) so this softens that side of things for us personally. Especially CM's, who are not officially getting tips like the restaurants and room attendants, phonecards would be perfect for them. I look forward to getting more ideas, I do remember reading once about people giving keyrings with disney characters on them. I imagine they can always use them for gifts for family and friends when they get home as I don't imagine they have much shopping time.

[BarbaraB]

I am still a little confused about the phone cards. Costco has a pack of phone cards from MCI, that has overseas instructions on the back. Would these work?

Thanks

[Señor Ferrari]

Originally posted by BarbaraB
I am still a little confused about the phone cards. Costco has a pack of phone cards from MCI, that has overseas instructions on the back. Would these work?


Barbara,

We got these for our last cruise. We bought (I think) a 12-pack. They were 120 minutes per card. The crew members to whom we brought them seemed to really appreciate them.

We gave them to people who we felt went out of their way to make things special for us. We didn't end up using all 12, but made a point of touring the ship on the last night to say thank you to these people and give them a card to show our appreciation.

[atigeg]

Yes, the Costco cards should work. We get the same type packs from Sam's Club.
While it is not necessary to give gifts to crew members, I have been so impressed by the excellent service on our many Disney cruises that I have wanted to do something special for some of the crew who I felt really deserved it. Originally I started bringing thank-you cards and then started bringing little gifts because every time we sailed, there was someone who went out of their way and deserved a little something special. We have even sent gift baskets from the Perfect Gift on occasion! Of course, it's probably different for us because we sail Disney so often and have gotten to know many of the crew members, but even if you're just a one-timer, it's fun to bring little things. You should never feel obligated, but if you choose to do so, it will be appreciated.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[BarbaraB]

Thanks for clearing that up. I will pick up a pack the next time we are at Costco.

I have 4 year old twins that will be (hopefully) going to the Oceaneers Club some on the August 3 Western. I would really like to be able to thank whoever is watching them (especially since we have two).

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[Mjasp]

Barb...YUMMMMMMMMM Frango Mints. The first time I was in Chicago, we stayed at the Ritz-Carlton and yep Frango mints on your pillow. I became obsessed trying to find them, then lo and behold there was Marshall Fields.

This Christmas my DH got a box from his corporate office in IL.
He travels there often, you think he would bring home a box now and then. I can order them online, but I'm afraid if I start, I won't stop.
What a great gift for cast members on board.

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Yep, those Frango mints are quite yummy. And they have a somewhat interesting story behind them. I won't talk too much about them here since I've done so in the past. I will mention that Target Corporation recently decided to reflag Daytons and Hudsons as Marshall Fields, so I picked up three boxes when I was in the Twin Cities earlier this month. And they were on sale that day!

www.marshallfields.com/fields_group/whats_now/whats_now_frango1.jhtml

[goofyforwdw]

On our first DC back in 95 we were eating breakfest on the last morn. before departing when this waiter comes over to my oldest son who is wearing a Kurt Cobain T-shirt and says how much he loved Nirvana and how he has alot of their T's but has never seen that one and how excited he was to find another fan ect. He was not our waiter or asst. we had not seen him before. So I look at my son and give him the Ok ( we read each other very well) and he takes his shirt off and gives it to this kid who is soooo wowed. he is thanking him and me reapeatly. We had yesterdays t in our carry bag so he just switched shirt now the waiter jokes he likes that shirt too (also Nirvana) our waiter and asst, are now saying they want his pants and shoes was quite funny but we certianly made that young mans day. He went and found our name and address and wrote my son a very nice thank you letter and asked if he could get us anything but my son being a typical teen never replyed. It felt so nice to make someone so happy but of course I had to buy my son a new t shirt to replace that one.

[peg2001]

goofyforwdw,

What a sweet, heartwarming story! For your son to literally give the shirt off his back to someone he had never met before shows what a caring generous man you are raising!!