A question about CMs you interact with every day

[bbel]

What kind of magazines do the kids club CMs like and also candy? I so want to give them something each day while my kids utilize the clubs

Literally anything haha. We're really not fussy. We can be quite isolated from the outside world in the ship and we'll be there around four or five months, so even out of date magazines keep us happy.
As for candy, small wrapped pieces are often best (it usually gets left on the side for people to help themselves) so something we can grab and eat quick on the way to and from work, or something we can grab and take for later.

But we really appreciate anyting. Before i started working for DCL I never thought I'd get so excited by a bite size piece of tootsie roll...

 

[cruisehopeful]

It depends on what you do. If you spend a lot of time in the spa or fitness center, there are people who will get to know your name. If you go to all the activities, you may connect with someone who runs those. In most cases, I'd say you'll see your stateroom host, your server and assistant server the most. On my last cruise, I bought candy/treats to give to my stateroom host for each of the 7 days we were on the cruise. I figured if I gave her something she didn't like, she could always give it to someone else.

 

[sorahl1]

I've always tipped mousekeeping, and servers when at WDW. We have some special we do when we have had a CM go way beyond anything they are expected, anything we expected. A long time ago someone came up with the idea of a WWWD pin (what would walt do) as a recognition project for exceptional service at WDW/DW. I bought 4 pins (they weren't cheap of course ) . I still have one left... waiting on that right person. THe last person I gave it to was in tears when I presented it to her.. It was pretty special.. and I think she has remembered it more (we saw on a subsequent visit) more than the money tip I gave her.

John

 

[ceecee]

How much do you tip? What is included in the per person tip we paid when we booked? I know it wasn't much.

 

[Barbydoll8]

I have made goodie boxes for my room steward, our servers from pop corn boxes in the party section of the dollar store. I fill them with individual candies, raisins, protein bars, gum etc. I had a room steward on the Dream fill up with tears over something so simple. It was a thank you above and beyond the tip. (Of course I tip!)
The CM's on the ships (supervisors) have personally told me that these little things, no matter how simple mean the world to the CM's. They can't always get off the ship to get the things they want/need and are limited to what the ship has to buy from.
I've heard if they don't keep it themselves they sometimes share or trade with others. I think I'll include some magazines on my 2017 cruise.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

How much do you tip? What is included in the per person tip we paid when we booked? I know it wasn't much.

The standard gratuities automatically added to your onboard account are $12 per person per night. It breaks down to $4 to your server, $3 to the assistant server, $1 to the head server, and $4 to your stateroom host for each person per night. How much I add to the tip envelopes at the end of the cruise really varies depending on how I feel the service was. I've never adjusted the standard gratuities down, but there have been times I haven't added extra if I feel service was lacking. Otherwise, I'll add $10-$20 for the server and stateroom host for a 3 or 4 night cruise, more for a 7 night cruise. I'll give the assistant server slightly less than what I give the server and stateroom host. I have yet to give extra to a head server because I have yet to have a head server that really impressed me.

 

[disneyholic family]

give them money....it's what they need and will appreciate...
if you feel they've gone above and beyond, then by all means tip them extra.....you'll make their day....

 

[Cruiser Cam]

On my last cruise at vibe on the Fantasy I went to the pool deck and got burgers,chicken fingers, and fries to bring back to the Vibe counselors to eat at vibe while working.

 

[Dug720]

and when you fill out a card with their name, take your own note of name and what department they worked in and make a comment about them on the end of cruise comment card. That means the most to these hard working CM's.

This! The best "little gift" you can give them is written recognition by name - on that comment card or even with a nice letter to management after the cruise. Those mentions get noted in their files and help with promotion consideration as well as sometimes earning bonus time off and other things. Extra tips - for those positions that ARE tipped - when warranted are appreciated...but the being recognized by name can ultimately mean a lot more to them.

 

[ceecee]

Another question, do you just hand them the tips??

 

[diznymom]

Another question, do you just hand them the tips??

DCL will charge your room account for the tips (I think on the first day). You can go to Guest Services to adjust the $ amount of the tips at any time. On the last night, you will receive tip "tickets" and envelopes to hand out to the ones receiving the tips. You can also add cash in these envelopes.

They will see the tips in their paychecks. Some send it all home to their families.

 

[linetbo]

Literally anything haha. We're really not fussy. We can be quite isolated from the outside world in the ship and we'll be there around four or five months, so even out of date magazines keep us happy.
As for candy, small wrapped pieces are often best (it usually gets left on the side for people to help themselves) so something we can grab and eat quick on the way to and from work, or something we can grab and take for later.

But we really appreciate anyting. Before i started working for DCL I never thought I'd get so excited by a bite size piece of tootsie roll...

So happy you replied this, we bring Nutella and go and cookies from home on every cruise and the crew members seems so happy when we give it to them.