Extra tippin

[madisonsmommie]

Other than the prepaid tips we give, what other things does the Disney staff receive from guests. I would like to give something that they would enjoy.
TIA

 

[Justacruiser]

I have seen on other threads over the years how people like to get STUFF for the CM's. CM's DONT want stuff for the most part. If it's consumable like candy, lotions and such.... how do you know what they like? I give them what they need..... money and good comments on the comment card. I actually write a note and attach it to my comment card identifying CM's and what they did to make our cruise great. I am specific with times and dates (if applicable). I want the CM and staff to know the specific thing they did. Don't we all want that?

I have actually seen a family take a picture of their dining room team with themselves and frame it for the CM (8x10). Now imagine a CM on a 6 month contract, living in a room with limited space and a roommate. Then, they finally get to go home for their break and they have 40 items to include stuffed animals, plaques, pictures, candy.... And, they have to get it all to their home. Most will be polite and take it, but seriously.......

If you want to be creative, be great to them while you are on board. Make sure your room host is NOT left the tornedo room every time you leave. If they have to fold anything or move anything to make the bed....... Also, say thank you to your dining room staff and let them know you appreciate the service. Give them all a Thank You card and write something nice if you want. (be sure to still complete the comment card). And most of all compensate them so that they can take care of their families at home. That's the reason they are there, not for a picture frame or stuff Mickey Mouse!

All in MHO ONLY! Not meaning to offend anyone!

 

[Dug720]

I have seen on other threads over the years how people like to get STUFF for the CM's. CM's DONT want stuff for the most part. If it's consumable like candy, lotions and such.... how do you know what they like? I give them what they need..... money and good comments on the comment card. I actually write a note and attach it to my comment card identifying CM's and what they did to make our cruise great. I am specific with times and dates (if applicable). I want the CM and staff to know the specific thing they did. Don't we all want that?

I have actually seen a family take a picture of their dining room team with themselves and frame it for the CM (8x10). Now imagine a CM on a 6 month contract, living in a room with limited space and a roommate. Then, they finally get to go home for their break and they have 40 items to include stuffed animals, plaques, pictures, candy.... And, they have to get it all to their home. Most will be polite and take it, but seriously.......

If you want to be creative, be great to them while you are on board. Make sure your room host is left the tornedo room every time you leave. If they have to fold anything or move anything to make the bed....... Also, say thank you to your dining room staff and let them know you appreciate the service. Give them all a Thank You card and write something nice if you want. (be sure to still complete the comment card). And most of all compensate them so that they can take care of their families at home. That's the reason they are there, not for a picture frame or stuff Mickey Mouse!

All in MHO ONLY! Not meaning to offend anyone!

Pretty much this! The staterooms are MUCH more tiny than guest staterooms and unless you're a certain level officer (even those can be small depending on the level officer) are shared with another crew member.

Money and good comments (even a letter to the cruiseline when you return home) are the best thing you can give them. If you simply MUST give them something, phone cards would be best, but that can be challenging as not all calling cards can be used in and for all countries. But money and compliments in writing are the best things you can give CMs.

 

[MunFam]

Hold up, hold up, hold up. Before I left for our 15 day cruise I asked this question and was specifically told that outside of Mousekeeping and Dining the cast members could NOT keep the money they were given and it had to go in a pot for parties, parties they may or may not get to attend depending on their schedules, so the best things to give them in appreciation were nice chocolates, candy, international phone cards, current magazines, etc because they could actually keep those items for themselves.

Would I frame a picture of myself for them to give as a gift, no way! But things that they could consume, enjoy and trash, yes. We made personalized thank you notes with our family's picture on the front because we left a lot of envelopes at the front desk with gift cards in them and we wanted them to know who it was from. Do we expect them to keep the card? Not at all.

 

[Julylady]

When we did the Panama cruise a few years ago, we had a lot of extra "travel stuff" that we didn't want to cart home. It was things like hook magnets, magazines, umbrellas, crossword puzzle books, stamps, shampoo/lotion, hair products, small notebooks and pens. Toward the end of the cruise we asked our dining room servers if they or any of their friends would be interested in any of it. They said 'Yes" so we took it all down to our next dinner in a big bag. During the meal they looked through the bag and kept many of the items. Other servers also came over and checked out the bag. About 1/2 of the items were taken which meant fewer things for me to pack!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

For CMs that can receive cash tips (stateroom host, servers), then extra cash would be appreciated over items. But I believe the Youth Activities CMs cannot accept cash. A CM that worked in the kids clubs posted that they would appreciate items such as candy, phone cards, and magazines (even if they are a few months old). So it really depends on the CM and what their position is.

 

[ludari]

I agree with others... I like to give additional money and I also write personal comments for my cabin steward and MDR staff. I will also write comments for CM that go out of their way to make me feel special. I typically write down small notes about my cabin steward and dining staff throughout the cruise in order to make it personal.

 

[Justacruiser]

I will agree that there are departments that can't accept money. That makes it really difficult to compensate them. But actually everything all of these CM's receive is supposed to be turned over to supervisors. At that point, it becomes a pot full of stuff.

As far as leaving stuff we all don't use....... are we doing that for the CM'ers benefit or for our own convenience? It's like SOME people who donate to Goodwill. Seriously just stay around a Goodwill and see ALOT (not all) of the STUFF people donate to Goodwill in the name of goodwill or generosity.

We spend a lot of time talking with CM'ers and they want to go into port, call their spouses or kids, watch a movie, or MAINLY sleep on their time off. My thought in the matter is, would YOU want a total stranger who you met while serving them on a cruise to leave their unused ________ for you.

As I mentioned in my previous post #2 above, I actually write a note and place it with my survey. Along with the typical tip receiving positions, I have also mentions Bill (example) at the Pizza Counter or Don (example) at the drink station for being so helpful and always showing the Disney Difference. I have also included ship officers names when they have done extra stuff for us.

At a recent Christmas Cruise, we purchased and carried on different types of Christmas Candy. We disseminated all of it one way or another during our cruise.

Bottom line, I am sure staff appreciate ANY form of you showing your gratitude. The biggest thing I can give them is a smile and let them know I appreciate them in both my words and actions.

 

[squirrel]

I like to give them gum, since it isn't sold on the ship. They would have to get time off the ship to go and buy it (I doubt most would even do that as they save their money for their family).

On the one cruise that I took my nieces on I brought a ziplock bag with gum and tootsie rolls for the CM's in the kids club. My niece was still not wanting to go as it was the last night so it took a little longer to get her out. The bag was already 1/2 gone by the time I got her out. So I'm sure they liked the treats.

 

[JenPinks]

These are awesome ideas. Besides who doesn't like candy? Its the thought that counts and besides if they don't like it, I'm sure another CM would!

 

[noahdove]

I have purchased a box of candy, a large bag of M&M's and Hershey bars to leave at either Guest Services
for when the characters sign my plate, Room Host and most likely I will leave a note and Hershey bar with any
CM that I come across and they are doing a great job.. For my Room Host, I will leave most likely a
bottle of wine from my BIL's winery and something else specific from our area. I understand the space issue
but, most important I want to leave them something that represents me..( I don't drink at all but my husband
does).

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I have purchased a box of candy, a large bag of M&M's and Hershey bars to leave at either Guest Services
for when the characters sign my plate, Room Host and most likely I will leave a note and Hershey bar with any
CM that I come across and they are doing a great job.. For my Room Host, I will leave most likely a
bottle of wine from my BIL's winery and something else specific from our area. I understand the space issue
but, most important I want to leave them something that represents me..( I don't drink at all but my husband
does).

While this is a nice gesture, I believe I read that CM are not allowed to accept gifts of alcohol at all. The bottle of wine would likely be thrown out or the host would risk a reprimand, or worse, if a supervisor found out.

 

[jack87891]

We have heard that Starbucks gift cards go over well also. You have to make sure they are good at all Starbucks though. We went to buy some Starbucks cards in the Bahamas for our dining crew and were told those cards would only be good in the Bahamas. Since it was the magics last trip before Europe, those wouldn't work for us

 

[CampbellzSoup]

The prepaid tips aren't enough?

 

[MillauFr]

The prepaid tips aren't enough?

Not if you want them to go above and beyond. Handing out some fives here and there really helps.

 

[wilma-bride]

Not if you want them to go above and beyond. Handing out some fives here and there really helps.

So, let me get this straight, are you saying you tip in advance, in the expectation of good service? My understanding is that a tip/gratuity (or gift, if that is your thing) is done in appreciation of good service.

 

[Dug720]

So, let me get this straight, are you saying you tip in advance, in the expectation of good service? My understanding is that a tip/gratuity (or gift, if that is your thing) is done in appreciation of good service.

Exactly. I have always heard of money given in advance and expectation of something called a bribe.

Gratuities are after the fact.

 

[undertheradar]

Not if you want them to go above and beyond. Handing out some fives here and there really helps.

So is this in anticipation/expectation of added attention and spoils?

 

[MillauFr]

So, let me get this straight, are you saying you tip in advance, in the expectation of good service? My understanding is that a tip/gratuity (or gift, if that is your thing) is done in appreciation of good service.

Not in advance, but I did give the assistant server a five after they brought the wine and a five to server after he cut up my son's steak at dinner. Also tipped the servers at lunch after they brought the food.

 

[Joyous26]

Thanks for posting all the comments above! This will be our first cruise and this thread is very helpful.