Where is my FAVORITE DCL cast member?

[Momma2Jax]

We were talking with our servers, and they said that most of the CMs jump at opportunities to take shuttles to Walmart in ports, to stock up. They were talking about it like Walmart was a mecca! then sure enough, the next day i was sitting on my verandah and saw a whole line of CMs boarding with tons of Walmart bags! Im not sure, but maybe a Walmart gift card would be appreciated!

[sandals421]

Originally Posted by sdlong329

My DW thought I was writing a book!

FWIW - We typically provide our cast members with treats from suburban Philadelphia (where we live). This would include Hershey's Chocolates (Hershey, PA), and Tastykakes (Philadelphia, PA). We often use the same goodies as FE's, as well!


Steven

I live in Upper Bucks and I work in Horsham. It's a small world (after all)!

[artemis908]

Originally Posted by sandals421

I live in Upper Bucks and I work in Horsham. It's a small world (after all)!

Woh! i work in Newtown and live in Hatboro lol

[sandals421]

Originally Posted by sdlong329

Ideally, before departing the ship, I would ask them when their current contract expires (most will share the info with you). I also ask if they are on Facebook (not all cast members communicate with guests on Facebook). I find more cast members are willing to communicate via Facebook versus e-mail, as it is easier to access Facebook, and/or change e-mail accounts, while still maintaining privacy. If you did not ask while on the ship, try searching for them on Facebook. Remember, cast members PAY for their internet, have limited free time, and limited access (my server is often online at 2AM Eastern). If you cannot find them online, send them a short letter ... remind them of who you are (include when you sailed, any memorable moments, and a picture, if possible ... remember ... there are THOUSANDS of new guests EVERY WEEK). Ask them if it is okay to contact you via e-mail or Facebook (include your e-mail address and/or Facebook contact). Allow ample time to receive your letter, and respond.

As for shipping ... keep packages small ... under 12" x 12" x 12" +/- should be fine. Do NOT ship any homemade foods, or anything which can spoil. Once packages are received in Lake Buena Vista, they are put in a storage facility, then scanned for security purposes (including sniffer dogs). Accordingly, if you ship something on Tuesday, and it does not arrive in Florida until Thursday or Friday ... it will not pass through security until the next week ... which means it cannot be loaded onto the ship until the following Saturday. I try to send a private message to someone when I am shipping a package. Sometimes it can get to the ship within one week ... sometimes it misses the initial security screening, and takes another week.

Disney Cast Members are NOT permitted to have spirits / hard liquor in their stateroom. They ARE permitted to have wine. I would not suggest sending a 6-pack of beer ... it's not cost effective, and most beer fairly inexpensive. On the other hand, if you know your cast member likes a special wine which might not be available in the Caribbean, or on the ship, it might make a great gift idea. Here's an example:

Cast members from Hungary or Slovakia tell tales of an extremely popular (and not inexpensive) wine (Tokaji). It is not a brand name ... think of how CHAMPAGNE is for bubbling wine in France ... or Bordeaux refers to a wine coming from the Bordeaux region. Tokaji is not served on the ships, and not typically available on the islands. This might make a fabulous gift, especially if your cast member is from Hungary or Slovakia. You'd be surprised at how many items are available in the US, which may remind the cast member of their homeland.

Remember that cast members likely will not have room for souvenirs ... so anything consumable may work best. On the other hand, I recently sent a PM to one of my cast members, telling them I was going to send several t-shirts ... just after they returned to the ship, from vacation. In this example, the cast member will not need to pack as many clothes to board the ship. You would not want them to have to pay an extra $50 (baggage / weight fee) merely to return home with a souvenir t-shirt.

I typically also ask my favorite cast members to let me know when they are returning vacation, and also, to which ship they are returning. When I know a cast member is returning from vacation, I will often ask if they want me to ship anything to them (to the ship) ... ANYTHING they may want from the US. Remember, the retail atmosphere in the US is unlike most European countries ... so do not be surprised if they ask for a pair of jeans (be specific as to size, cut and manufacturer) ... a battery charger for their laptop or netbook (they generally cannot order US-powered chargers to be sent to their home).

When I am visiting New York City, Walt Disney World, or Disneyland ... if I see something with those locations imprinted ... I try to pick up something for them. I have sent oversized Hershey's chocolate bars from Times Square, "I LOVE NY" t-shirts (mickey-head used in lieu of a HEART.

When you ship something ... I almost always remind them ... if they do not like the taste / do not like the fit ... either give it to someone else on the ship, or throw it away. I *also* ask them to let me know if they like something a lot, and if they would like more (they may feel awkward to ask for gifts ... but they will usually communicate with you when received).

Sending them a hand written note with the gift ... telling them how much they mean to you is ALWAYS a moral booster. It provides a warm feeling to cast members who are working THOUSANDS of miles away from home, and away from their families for extended periods of time. *** Remember, if you like them enough to send them a gift ... remember to send an e-mail or letter of appreciation to Disney Guest Communications ... referencing the cast members first / last name ... date of sailing, etc. Cast members often receive acknowledgement when a letter is received.

Feel free to shares your story or experiences!

Steven

Thanks, based on your suggestions, I have started a care package, with snack sized candy bars, prepackaged Goldfish, and a gift certificate to the Hard Rock Cafe. I checked HRC's website and they are located in Nassau, St. Maarten, as well as one in Portugal. He should be able to use or barter these anywhere!

[rays2001]

My family and I have been on a number of Disney cruises on the Magic and have had Toto as our head server. Earlier posts have said that Toto switched to the Fantasy this year. We are considering booking a cruise in late October, possibly the 10/27 sailing. Does anyone know if Toto will still be on the ship or if he may be on vacation at that time?

[jilljill]

Originally Posted by sandals421

Thanks, based on your suggestions, I have started a care package, with snack sized candy bars, prepackaged Goldfish, and a gift certificate to the Hard Rock Cafe. I checked HRC's website and they are located in Nassau, St. Maarten, as well as one in Portugal. He should be able to use or barter these anywhere!

You should check to see that US$ gift cards are accepted at HRC's outside the US.

From the FAQ sticky about sending packages to your stateroom. Not sure if the same rules apply to sending a care package to CM's or not.

Boxes Sent the Ship Ahead of Cruise - PLEASE follow these instructions carefully!!!!!! UPDATED AS OF 2/25/2009
• ONE box per stateroom, no exceptions.
• The package must have the guest full name, ship, sailing date, stateroom number or GTY if you have not been assigned a stateroom number.
• The package also must have a packing slip attached to the outside of the box that details the contents of the package. For prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient. Your list may or may not be read but it must have one. Write packing slip on the outside of the envelope.
• NO FOODS/DRINKS OF ANY KIND, LIQUOR OF ANY KIND, FIREARMS, ETC.. Items that cannot be shipped to the Disney Cruise Line Warehouse and delivered to the ship include: food products (any and all food products including baby food/formula), beverages (liquor, water, etc.), chemicals, and luggage. These items will not be accepted at the warehouse and will be returned. This may cause the dogs to hit on your box and that would be a bad thing.
• The required size of the cartons you are shipping down have to be about the size of a record storage box 12 inches on a side and should not weigh more than 20 lbs. (This has been asked personally by Dave Adams who is the owner)

Address your package(s) to:
Disney Cruise Line Warehouse
Guest Name / Stateroom # (GTY, if you don't know what it is when you send the package)
8633 Transport Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
Phone: 407-566-8196

In the bottom left corner of the top of the package put the following information: ATTN: HOUSEKEEPING
*Name
*Sail Date
*Ship
*Stateroom Number
*Packing slip that details contents of the package (for prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient)
• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 7-Night Cruise on the Disney Magic (Saturday).
• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 4-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Sunday).
• Packages must arrive by Wednesday by 3:00pm for the 3-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Thursday).

If your box is hit on by the screening dog or chosen for additional screening they will open the list and the box and look through it. They will close it back up and provided nothing bad is in it then it will be in your room as usual later after boarding. These boxes will be coming on the ship with the crew mail among other things so they may be in the staterooms later then they were before as they are low priority in the scheme of things for Disney.

[Itinkso]

Originally Posted by sandals421

Thanks, based on your suggestions, I have started a care package, with snack sized candy bars, prepackaged Goldfish, and a gift certificate to the Hard Rock Cafe. I checked HRC's website and they are located in Nassau, St. Maarten, as well as one in Portugal. He should be able to use or barter these anywhere!

Here is info from the Stickie regarding sending to a Crew Member. Only Magic and Wonder though:
Crew Member Address -
Disney Magic
Disney Cruise Line
Attn.: (Crew Member Name and Dept.)
Caller #9001
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-9001

Disney Wonder
Disney Cruise Line
Attn.: (Crew Member Name and Dept.)
Caller #9005
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-9005

Disney Wonder
Disney Cruise Line - Castaway Cay
Attn: (Crew Member Name and Dept.)
Caller #9005
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-9001 - USA

[perdy1234]

Hey everyone just like everyone else here we have gotten to love the cast members on the ship. Looking for a couple inparticular, what ship is Harry currently on? We had him on our panama canal cruise. We had Trevis from Jamaica on the dream in Jan and trying to find out what ship he is on. He was the best server we have had. Also looking for Alex, bartender, he was on the pc wonder cruise. I never thought to get his info from him and would love to find him. On the dream in Jan there was a guy named Chris in the stores that we also got to know and just wondering what ship he is on? If anyone knows any of these guys that would be awesome

[TaTa4Now1968]

Originally Posted by Momma2Jax

We were talking with our servers, and they said that most of the CMs jump at opportunities to take shuttles to Walmart in ports, to stock up. They were talking about it like Walmart was a mecca! then sure enough, the next day i was sitting on my verandah and saw a whole line of CMs boarding with tons of Walmart bags! Im not sure, but maybe a Walmart gift card would be appreciated!

What port has a Walmart close enough to take a shuttle? You have to make sure that there is a Walmart at one of the ports that they could use the Walmart gift card. I think the tip that you are giving to them it more than enough.

[sandals421]

Originally Posted by jilljill

You should check to see that US$ gift cards are accepted at HRC's outside the US.

From the FAQ sticky about sending packages to your stateroom. Not sure if the same rules apply to sending a care package to CM's or not.

Boxes Sent the Ship Ahead of Cruise - PLEASE follow these instructions carefully!!!!!! UPDATED AS OF 2/25/2009
• ONE box per stateroom, no exceptions.
• The package must have the guest full name, ship, sailing date, stateroom number or GTY if you have not been assigned a stateroom number.
• The package also must have a packing slip attached to the outside of the box that details the contents of the package. For prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient. Your list may or may not be read but it must have one. Write packing slip on the outside of the envelope.
• NO FOODS/DRINKS OF ANY KIND, LIQUOR OF ANY KIND, FIREARMS, ETC.. Items that cannot be shipped to the Disney Cruise Line Warehouse and delivered to the ship include: food products (any and all food products including baby food/formula), beverages (liquor, water, etc.), chemicals, and luggage. These items will not be accepted at the warehouse and will be returned. This may cause the dogs to hit on your box and that would be a bad thing.
• The required size of the cartons you are shipping down have to be about the size of a record storage box 12 inches on a side and should not weigh more than 20 lbs. (This has been asked personally by Dave Adams who is the owner)

Address your package(s) to:
Disney Cruise Line Warehouse
Guest Name / Stateroom # (GTY, if you don't know what it is when you send the package)
8633 Transport Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
Phone: 407-566-8196

In the bottom left corner of the top of the package put the following information: ATTN: HOUSEKEEPING
*Name
*Sail Date
*Ship
*Stateroom Number
*Packing slip that details contents of the package (for prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient)
• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 7-Night Cruise on the Disney Magic (Saturday).
• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 4-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Sunday).
• Packages must arrive by Wednesday by 3:00pm for the 3-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Thursday).

If your box is hit on by the screening dog or chosen for additional screening they will open the list and the box and look through it. They will close it back up and provided nothing bad is in it then it will be in your room as usual later after boarding. These boxes will be coming on the ship with the crew mail among other things so they may be in the staterooms later then they were before as they are low priority in the scheme of things for Disney.

In an earlier post, a Disboarder said that they send candy bars. What I did read is that no homemade food is allowed. I will check on the Gift Certs, but we were told that St. Maarten did accept US dollars, Nassau did, as well.

[sandals421]

Originally Posted by artemis908

Woh! i work in Newtown and live in Hatboro lol

Wow, PA is totally represented!

We should all meet up in Disney World! I am going 9/28-10/7 for a Halloween and Food and Wine twofer! Anyone else?

[kristieseem1]

Originally Posted by sandals421

Wow, PA is totally represented!

We should all meet up in Disney World! I am going 9/28-10/7 for a Halloween and Food and Wine twofer! Anyone else?

Haven't caught all the posts about pennsylvanians but I'm just outside Allentown...hour north of Philadelphia we're going on the Dream in january!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

[jilljill]

Originally Posted by sandals421

In an earlier post, a Disboarder said that they send candy bars. What I did read is that no homemade food is allowed. I will check on the Gift Certs, but we were told that St. Maarten did accept US dollars, Nassau did, as well.

I was just posting what is in the FAQ sticky and it says no food/drinks of any kind - I take that to mean homemade or store bought.
You could always post on a meets thread for an upcoming cruise is someone would be kind enough to deliver something to a CM from you. That way you could mail it to them and they could give it to the CM personally.

[sandals421]

Originally Posted by jilljill

I was just posting what is in the FAQ sticky and it says no food/drinks of any kind - I take that to mean homemade or store bought.
You could always post on a meets thread for an upcoming cruise is someone would be kind enough to deliver something to a CM from you. That way you could mail it to them and they could give it to the CM personally.

Awesome idea! I will be in DW for Halloween/Food and Wine two-fer, so I may be able to give it myself.

[sandals421]

Originally Posted by kristieseem1

Haven't caught all the posts about pennsylvanians but I'm just outside Allentown...hour north of Philadelphia we're going on the Dream in january!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I live near Quakertown!