A question about CMs you interact with every day

[PollyBrit]

Hi, We leave next Saturday for 7 nights on the Fantasy, and I was thinking of taking a little gift for the room steward and the servers that go with us each night, but I was wondering, how many crew members will we see each and every day like that? I can't buy gifts for every CM we meet, obviously, but the ones that personally take care of us, i'd really like to do a little something!

First time cruising here, so i've no idea! Is it 3?

Thanks!
Polly

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi, We leave next Saturday for 7 nights on the Fantasy, and I was thinking of taking a little gift for the room steward and the servers that go with us each night, but I was wondering, how many crew members will we see each and every day like that? I can't buy gifts for every CM we meet, obviously, but the ones that personally take care of us, i'd really like to do a little something!

First time cruising here, so i've no idea! Is it 3?

Thanks!
Polly

There are many CMs you will see/deal with every day. From your room host, to dining room servers (3), to activities personnel, to Guest Services (upwards of 4-6 people there), poolside servers, etc. At least.

Is this your first cruise? Typically crew members don't really require "little gifts". Their space onboard the ship is quite limited (with shared rooms) and, if even only 1/4 of the people they serve give a little gift, they will quickly run out of space. Generally it's a better idea to increase the gratuities you give to the tippable positions (room host; dining room servers). Some positions are not tippable (Guest Services; kids club).

 

[CamperMomma]

Just following along! Curious on the answer.

 

[over50visits]

Although you will interact with a lot of crew members (we love to seek as many as we can out because everyone seems to have a great story and loves to talk about their work), there are not many who personally take of you day after day. Of course the room stewards and the dining room servers fall into this group; others depend on what you personally do. If you frequent the coffee bars, you might get a lot of daily care from the servers there. Same for a particular bartender. You might have a lot of daily interaction with a kids club CM. Maybe there's a pool attendant who takes care of you every day, looking out for your needs, towels, etc. Maybe some of the entertainers get to know you in the clubs and try to play songs that you like to hear every evening. There are a lot of opportunities out there.

Little gifts are a wonderful, personal touch. A bigger tip may be nice, but it isn't personal. Lots of ideas over the years we have heard include current magazines or CDs, small boxes of specialty candies, calling cards, walmart gift cards (they can use these in many ports or often back at home), something you've made by hand, etc.

Money is nice, and useful to them. Something personal from you is more meaningful. I've read elsewhere advice to keep the gifts small because of their space in their cabins, but that certainly doesn't translate to giving them nothing! CMs we've developed a relationship with who provide service to us have been great, and giving them something personal feels great to both of us.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I give extra tips to the serving team and the stateroom host. I often bring some candy and/or magazines for the kids club staff since they are not a tippable position.

 

[PollyBrit]

Thanks for your replies! I definitely understand that a bigger tip helps them out the most I was thinking of something small like some proper English Cadbury chocolate bars, so nothing bulky, and quite separate from any tipping Just something to say hey, thanks for taking care of us! I love the magazine idea, I could get some for our journey then give them to cm's if they want them.

I just know that it's not always an easy, or indeed well paid job to be a staff member on a cruise - people think it's so glam but I bet they miss home and like a little bit of personal attention and kindness sometimes! I've never been one to think of staff as faceless people there to serve me, and the kinder you treat people, the better experience everyone has too!

Thanks for the ideas here!

 

[dclpluto]

If you want to help someone out that you will see a lot and doesn't have a good job. Think about the restroom attendants. Low pay and a terrible job. They do a really great job of keeping the restrooms clean.

 

[saxmangeoff]

An idea I got from my son when he was a CM at Walt Disney World:

Get some printable business cards from your local office supply store. Print up cards that say something along the lines of "Thanks ______, for making our vacation great." (I did "Thanks ________, for making our vacation incredible. The Allen Family from Idaho." and put a picture of The Incredibles.)

Then, you carry a stack of these cards and a Sharpie. When a CM is noteworthy, put his/her name on the blank and give him/her the card with a verbal thank you.

He got one of these shortly before we came down to visit, and said how much it made his day. So I took the hint and made some. I gave these out as I encountered great CMs. They all seemed to appreciate it.

I haven't done it on DCL, but I'm guessing it would work there, too. It would also solve the "no space" issue, as it's just a business card. And it allows you to give a "thank you" to those CMs who can't accept tips.

Also, as PrincessShmoo says, definitely leave a bigger tip for worthy CMs.

 

[jrabbit]

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.

 

[dcassetta]

At the end of the cruise you have a survey to fill out about your experiences. Please make sure to record the names of any cast members who stood out to you. If you can, make a note not just of their name but also of their home country. Getting a positive comment in the cruise survey is beneficial for the CMs.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

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.

At the end of the cruise you have a survey to fill out about your experiences. Please make sure to record the names of any cast members who stood out to you. If you can, make a note not just of their name but also of their home country. Getting a positive comment in the cruise survey is beneficial for the CMs.

Exactly. Positive comments about specific (by name) CMs on the comment card lead to promotions, extra time off, and other nice things.

 

[winniedapooh]

It drives DH kind of nuts , but I pack an extra suitcase with bagged candy and gum. We walk around deck 4 (this he does not mind lol) and we hand them out to the CM's who are servicing the ship and doing maintenance as we thank them. They all seem to really appreciate it and smile a lot! I also save up books and new magazines and bring them to guest services and ask them to donate them to the crew library. They looked shocked the first time I did this. They questioned me to make sure I wanted them to go to the crew! I have even been stopped and thanked during the cruise for doing this. When I went to bring more books down after reading them on the cruise I had a CM ask which was my favorite and he kept it for his next book to read! This makes me so happy.

Now, I do not do this for accolades...I want the crew to know how much I appreciate all that they do. It is not a big thing to do, but if it makes someone happy then I am happy!

 

[bumbershoot]

Just something to say hey, thanks for taking care of us!

I find that cash is the absolute best way to do this.

And putting their names down on the comment cards.

I could never presume to know the tastes in candy, possible allergies, etc of a CM. of course they'll thank people and they might like the gesture, but if I ever brought a tangible item for someone I would assume it's going in the trash the moment I've walked away.

I'd rather help their job with the comment card and help pay their rent back home with money.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Someone mentioned kids' clubs CMS... how many are there, usually? Also, are there CMs in the Edge and Vibe clubs?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Someone mentioned kids' clubs CMS... how many are there, usually? Also, are there CMs in the Edge and Vibe clubs?

Hopefully one of our resident kid's club CMs will pop in here with a ballpark figure on how many CMs work the clubs. Yes, Edge and Vibe have CMs that work there also.

Again, those positions are non-tippable. But people do drop off gifts (magazines, candy) for them to share.

 

[bbel]

Someone mentioned kids' clubs CMS... how many are there, usually? Also, are there CMs in the Edge and Vibe clubs?

I've only worked the classic ships, but 5 based in nursery, 4 in edge, 4 in vibe and around 20 each in the club and lab, although we all help each other around throughout all 5 spaces...
I know each space has more CM on the dream and fantasy but couldn't say how many...

 

[cruizincathi]

I take along a bag of individually wrapped Lifesavers and always carry a few with me. When a tour bus driver, CM, etc assist us, I give them a couple and tell them "You're a lifesaver" or "Thanks for being a lifesaver". It is just a little something and always gets a smile.

I agree with extra cash for those who assist everyday, but this works great for those chance encounters or CM you see in passing.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I've only worked the classic ships, but 5 based in nursery, 4 in edge, 4 in vibe and around 20 each in the club and lab, although we all help each other around throughout all 5 spaces...
I know each space has more CM on the dream and fantasy but couldn't say how many...

Thanks. So if my kids want to give them something, is it better to make it a group something, like candy, or just give to those who they felt were more special to them?

 

[bbel]

Thanks. So if my kids want to give them something, is it better to make it a group something, like candy, or just give to those who they felt were more special to them?

Whatever you prefer and suits you as a family. Not gonna lie, its a nice feeling when you come to start your shift or finish your shift and theres candy there, and theres nearly always a note saying which family its from so we can say thank you if/when we see you. But sometimes its more special for you as a family and for the CMs individually. Just remember if you do that, while we work everyday, we're not in all day everyday, so don't leave it till the last evening if you want to guarantee giving it to a CM in person - although we will always pass it on.

 

[cheermom2four]

people do drop off gifts (magazines, candy) for them to share.

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