candy for staff

[luvmykids]

Can someone tell me what kind of candy they bring to give out on the boat. I would like to bring some to give to guest services when I give them t shirts to have signed. Do you give them big bags of miniature candy like you buy on halloween or just a few full size bars? Thanks

 

[OKW Lover]

Curious as to why guests are bringing candy to give to staff. Aren't tips ($$) appropriate?

 

[girl_barrie]

While monetary gratuities ARE absolutely appropriate and appreciated, when a Cast Member does something nice for you, it is really nice to show appreciation in a personal way - and some positions are not those that can receive monetary gratuities; Kids' Club & Lab CM's, the Cleaning & Maintenance Crew, Guest Services, etc.
Since the meals are provided, CM's onboard are charged "passenger" prices for their snacks. Things like chocolates, salty snacks, fruit candy, etc. are quite appreciated and really nice things to gift the CM's with; not 'instead of', but ABOVE AND BEYOND the monetary gratuities.
Our family usually brings an entire LARGE bag, FULL of individual bags of candy and salty snacks to liberally hand out to any CM's who we would like to acknowledge personally. We bring bags full to the Kids' Club to say, "Thank You" as well as to Guest Services. We have added bags full to the tips for our Spa Therapists. We also leave a line-up of treats on our bed for our Cabin Steward each day!!! It's fun to leave THEM treats since they work so hard to make our vacations so special! And they do appreciate it - and remember us for doing so! It really is so nice - and fun. Plus when the cruise is over, we have an empty bag for all of our FE gifts & souvenirs!!

 

[OKW Lover]

Sorry, still not getting this. Yes we do tip for extra service over and above the normal tipping guidelines. If maintenance has to come to our cabin to fix something, that's not something I would tip for (unless perhaps I broke it). The folks in the spa get a cash tip when I sign the bill.

Wouldn't it be better for the CM to decide for themselves what they would like rather than assume they like candy. What if they don't like that particular kind of candy? or worse, are allergic? or perhaps on a diet? Cash gives them the flexibility to do what they really want.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Sorry, still not getting this. Yes we do tip for extra service over and above the normal tipping guidelines. If maintenance has to come to our cabin to fix something, that's not something I would tip for (unless perhaps I broke it). The folks in the spa get a cash tip when I sign the bill.

Wouldn't it be better for the CM to decide for themselves what they would like rather than assume they like candy. What if they don't like that particular kind of candy? or worse, are allergic? or perhaps on a diet? Cash gives them the flexibility to do what they really want.

The candy isn't in place of any monetary tip, but as well as.
There are relatively few "tip" positions on the ships, and all of the other CM's are not allowed to accept cash gift's.
So some Guest's like to give candy as appreciation for going above and beyond (say the shore ex CM manages to get you on the excursion you really wanted to go on, or the Cruise Staff really entertained you and made you feel special) or just because they want to show their appreciation to the people that work cleaning the hall's and spaces, painting, repairing, whatever on the ship but vary rarely get a thank you, praise or are acknowledged.

There's no requirement to do it, it's just a few people saying thanks to them for doing a great job and making their cruise magical!

HTH's!

Ex Techie

 

[Jenemmy]

We were just on the Dream last week. I dropped off two tote bags to be autographed at Guest Services and I included a box of chocolates from a popular local candy store in my hometown for the guest services staff to share. I saw it as a small token of appreciation for providing me with a nice souvenir.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Last time we got a giant bag of mini assorted Hershey's, so it had Hershey bars, Reese's cups, Kit Kats, and others. We just had a 1.5 hour drive from home, so keeping it from melting was not an issue, and we just put it in the fridge in our room until we gave it out. In addition to the recommended tip, our stateroom host, and each of our dining room servers got a sandwich-sized bag. The kid's club staff and the nursery staff (who are not allowed to receive cash tips, and if they do must pool it together) each received a gallon-sized bag. We also included sandwich-sized bags with each of the items we left to be autographed.

For this cruise I plan to hit up the after Christmas candy sales.

Why give them candy? Because it's nice.

 

[mom2brooke76]

I always put a bag of chocolate M&M's in with the pillowcases when I drop them off at guest services.

 

[wenuwish]

We're planning to bring along a few extra bags of candy from new zealand as a little thanks to the cast members who make our cruise special, it's just a nice gesture. Definitely handing one in at guest with whatever I ask to be signed.

 

[Tracykim]

When we dropped off our pillowcases to be signed we included a X-Large bag of M&M's (Costco size) with them. We have no idea how many CM sit there and sign these items so giving cash would be difficult. From what I have read on here, when you give candy or even money that doesn't have a CM's name on it, it will go into the stash that they use for CM partys!

I just invision a bunch of CM sitting around signing items while eating the donated candy! That makes me happy! Now I understand why they are so happy and hyper!

 

[taswira]

Wouldn't it be better for the CM to decide for themselves what they would like rather than assume they like candy. What if they don't like that particular kind of candy? or worse, are allergic? or perhaps on a diet? Cash gives them the flexibility to do what they really want.

I know I am in the minority, but I have to agree with you. In fact, a decade ago I recall a room host telling me they weren't allowed to have candy in their quarters . . and no, I wasn't giving out candy. I don't recall why he mentioned it. Obviously either it wasn't true or policies have changed.

The thought is nice, but I have noticed far more overweight CMs aboard than years ago. For most people, if it's in front of you, it's hard to resist. Sounds nice if receiving candy was a rare treat, but since more and more Dis-ers seem to be doing it, imagine how much candy might be doled out to CMs on EVERY sailing.

 

[ppiew]

I also agree that candy is way overdone. Just think if only half the staterooms left candy that is over 500 bags!.. Most CM's are too courteous to say 'no' but I was also told that they receive so much it tends to be thrown out. I am sure that they have restrictions about having foodstuffs of any kind in their staterooms. I know this isn't a popular opinion but I would think twice about it.

 

[inhousemouse]

WOW I hope they have a good dentist on board! Every time I read a post as to how much candy to bring I cut down how much I'm taking. I agree there can be to much of a good thing. It's so thoughtful to take them something extra that they have a hard time getting on board but yeah I think people worry to much about how much candy to have on hand.

I'm just packing some gum and laundry soap sheets as a thank you for getting my pillow cases done.

 

[kngtrtn]

Why must this be dabated?

If you do not want to give out candy - then don't, but why rain on the parade of those who like to?

Every response I have ever seen from a CM from the ships on this topic has been "YES, this is really appreciated"

I hand out none monetary "treats" in addition to money tips and I like to - if you do not like to then don't.

And come on DISsers are a small % of the total people on the cruise ship - - so I doubt this really amounts to that much candy!

 

[kmitchel]

Why must this be dabated?

If you do not want to give out candy - then don't, but why rain on the parade of those who like to?

Every response I have ever seen from a CM from the ships on this topic has been "YES, this is really appreciated"

I hand out none monetary "treats" in addition to money tips and I like to - if you do not like to then don't.

And come on DISsers are a small % of the total people on the cruise ship - - so I doubt this really amounts to that much candy!

Amen!! It really rubs me the wrong way on these boards when people "snark" about something nice or fun other people are trying to do! If the CMs don't want the candy, I'm sure they can find some use for it! I've NEVER in my 11 cruises had a CM look in any way disappointed when I handed over a bag of candy to them at the end of the cruise!

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

We're planning to bring along a few extra bags of candy from new zealand as a little thanks to the cast members who make our cruise special, it's just a nice gesture. Definitely handing one in at guest with whatever I ask to be signed.

I know your in NZ, but Tim Tam's are a hit on the ship with Australasian's!

Ex Techie

 

[OKW Lover]

Folks, some of us are merely seeking enlightenment. If you feel you want to do something extra you are certainly free to do it. If I don't understand why you express your appreciation in that particular way it certainly doesn't mean I think you should stop doing it.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Why must this be dabated?

If you do not want to give out candy - then don't, but why rain on the parade of those who like to?

Every response I have ever seen from a CM from the ships on this topic has been "YES, this is really appreciated"

I hand out none monetary "treats" in addition to money tips and I like to - if you do not like to then don't.

And come on DISsers are a small % of the total people on the cruise ship - - so I doubt this really amounts to that much candy!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I know your in NZ, but Tim Tam's are a hit on the ship with Australasian's!

Ex Techie

We have a large British food section in our local grocery store due to a large population of British-owned vacation homes in the area - Tim Tams and all sorts of Cadbury candies! I guess I should bring some of these.

Any other ideas for non-candy appreciation gifts? International calling cards and Purex 3-in-1 laundry sheets....what else?

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

We have a large British food section in our local grocery store due to a large population of British-owned vacation homes in the area - Tim Tams and all sorts of Cadbury candies! I guess I should bring some of these.

Any other ideas for non-candy appreciation gifts? International calling cards and Purex 3-in-1 laundry sheets....what else?

Brit's love:
http://www.heinz.com/our-food/products/bakedbeans.aspx
A mass contingent used to head off to a cafe on GC to eat british bacon, and bean's on toast!

Don't know if they can heat them up on the ship's, I would guess a couple of drink's in the crew bar to the mess chef could work out!? lol!

Personally paying for my laundry to be done on the ship was worth every penny just to not have to worry about it and was very reasonable, like $0.15 for sock's, underwear etc. so I never used the crew laundry.

Calling cards to use at Crew Corner in Merrit Island are still great!
A lot of the crew use pay per use cell phones so although you cant work out before which cell carrier they might use, pre pay card's would be good, and they can alway's trade those for snack's or soda's etc if it's not their particular cell carrier?

Ex Techie