Creative tipping...

[nhmomx2]

Other than phone cards, what other creative ideas have you used to tip cast members (over and above the 'recommended' amount that is)?

 

[smchan]

Other than phone cards, what other creative ideas have you used to tip cast members (over and above the 'recommended' amount that is)?

I find that cash to be the most creative way my employer compensates me.

Sam

 

[inkkognito]

Florida lottery tickets.
Barb

 

[ivanova]

Target and WalMart gift cards

Of course cash is great, but for the non-tipping positions (like the kid/teen counselors) I like to get the phone or gift cards.

 

[MarkRG]

For little things, one example, those light up color changing pens for your server on Animator's Pallate 'show' nite.

 

[inkkognito]

One thing that would be great, that I saw once at Cracker Barrel and never saw again, is an "Airplane Spoon." Can you imagine the servers using it with the little kids? If I ever see it again, I'm also going to get one for the Servers at 50s Prime Time.
Barb

 

[russtwinsmom]

In addition to the full cash amount, Andes mints, bookstore gift certificates, really nice pens, little flashlights, current CDs, DVDs, Bath & Body soaps.

RTM

 

[nhmomx2]

Thank you all for your replies...I'm leaning toward the cash

The only bump in the road (or wave in the ocean ) would be the counselors - they can't take cash, correct?

 

[poconoboatniks]

We brought NYPD bears and international calling cards. We also brought Easter chocolates because we were traveling over Easter. I would bring something from your home state or city in addition to cash & calling cards.

Our son befriended a CM in Mickey's Mates and we wanted to thank her for being so nice to DS & DD. She had to get special permissioin to accept the NYPD bear and calling card.

I saw a website which had Disney CM thank you notes. YOu can download the thank you note and leave it for you cabin steward or your servers. I don't remember the address.

Pocono

 

[ivanova]

Thank you all for your replies...I'm leaning toward the cash

The only bump in the road (or wave in the ocean ) would be the counselors - they can't take cash, correct?

Correct. If you insist more than three times they have to accept it, then report it to their boss (and it's taxed as income) but if it exceeds $75 they have to hand it over to Disney and it gets donated to charity (or so I was told by a DCL CM).

 

[nhmomx2]

Thanks again...I still have a few months (actually, 138 days :jumping4: ) to come up with ideas (over and above what you've all said).

 

[tvguy]

Anyone have family or friends who are CM? What do they say?
I say, stick with cash and let the CM get whatever they want with it. I just have this vision of CM with stacks and stacks of phone cards and junk passengers gave them, when they need cash to send back home to their family.

 

[ivanova]

Anyone have family or friends who are CM? What do they say?
I say, stick with cash and let the CM get whatever they want with it. I just have this vision of CM with stacks and stacks of phone cards and junk passengers gave them, when they need cash to send back home to their family.

Cash for the four tippable positions is great ... but cruisers need ideas of what they can give CMs that are not supposed to accept tips (like the kid/teen counselors).

 

[jrabbit]

Correct. If you insist more than three times they have to accept it, then report it to their boss (and it's taxed as income) but if it exceeds $75 they have to hand it over to Disney and it gets donated to charity (or so I was told by a DCL CM).

So in otherwords "Insist" and give them a gift card (same as cash-but isn't) to Wal*Mart or one of the gift cards that can be used at many different stores.

 

[ivanova]

So in otherwords "Insist" and give them a gift card (same as cash-but isn't) to Wal*Mart or one of the gift cards that can be used at many different stores.

Exactly.

And since it isn't cash, you don't have to go round 'n' round with the insisting three times before they'll accept.

 

[DCLcruiser]

Cash for your tip-able positions is great. The night before you leave you will get a sheet that shows all of the tipable postions and what the average tip is. It includes everything from Dining Room to Housekeeping. Non-Tipable postions are to decline the tip.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Phone Cards you would give them do not work on the ship for them. There is a special phone card which they use.

If you decide to do gift cards, keep in mind what stores they have acess to. Most crew members do not have cars down in PC, thus they have to refer to other means of transportation. I know from experience the main shopping areas are Wal-Mart, Circut City, and the Merrit Island Mall.

 

[princess Snow]

Cash for your tip-able positions is great. The night before you leave you will get a sheet that shows all of the tipable postions and what the average tip is. It includes everything from Dining Room to Housekeeping. Non-Tipable postions are to decline the tip.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Phone Cards you would give them do not work on the ship for them. There is a special phone card which they use.

If you decide to do gift cards, keep in mind what stores they have acess to. Most crew members do not have cars down in PC, thus they have to refer to other means of transportation. I know from experience the main shopping areas are Wal-Mart, Circut City, and the Merrit Island Mall.

You are right. As a DCL CM, (and shop-a-holic) I get frustrated w/the lack of stores we have access to! Gift card options for the Merritt Island Mall are Dillards, Burdines, and Bath and Body Works. Another local store popular w/CMs is T.J. Maxx. Another option is restaurant gift cards. Olive Garden, Outback, Applebees, and Dennys are on the bus route.
If you opt for phone cards, keep in mind that most CMs are making international calls on their port days. Your average AT&T domestic phone card will not work.

 

[ivanova]

You are right. As a DCL CM, (and shop-a-holic) I get frustrated w/the lack of stores we have access to! Gift card options for the Merritt Island Mall are Dillards, Burdines, and Bath and Body Works. Another local store popular w/CMs is T.J. Maxx. Another option is restaurant gift cards. Olive Garden, Outback, Applebees, and Dennys are on the bus route.
If you opt for phone cards, keep in mind that most CMs are making international calls on their port days. Your average AT&T domestic phone card will not work.

How much time do CMs have in Port Canaveral to get off the ship and go shopping?

 

[DCLcruiser]

We typically have from ~7am to 4pm