Gifts for CMs, any recommendations?

[sarahste928]

I'm stocking up now for our 8/7 7-day Eastern on the Magic.

Other than the phone cards (I'm not a member of Sam's Club), any suggestions for gifts for CMs? Thanks.

-- Sarah

 

[kcashner]

You can buy phone cards many places--grocery stores, Walmart, etc. THe other standard gift is a gift card to Walmart or Target as these are the stores that the crew busses go to while in port.

 

[smahoney6]

How many should we bring per child??? (I know we don't have to pass them all out but would like to bring enough!)

 

[inkkognito]

We like to bring scratch-off FL lottery tickets. That way, they can have a little fun, and who knows...they might get a big winner!
Barb

 

[MBFergie]

Hey sarah928,

We are on the same cruise. I sent you an email. Hope you respond.

I love the idea of the lottery tickets!! Does anybody know if the CM's get a chance to cash them in if they win?

 

[Disneymommie]

How do the crew get to goto the stores? I mean if they are busy getting ready for the next cruise, plus serving the new guest and getting the staterooms ready? How do they get the time off to use their cards? I love the gift card idea but want to make sure they can be put to use.

Thanks

 

[inkkognito]

When they have their rare time off, there are buses to transport them from Port Canaveral to the stores.
Barb

 

[princess Snow]

If you choose phone cards, make sure they are international! Most CMs need to call internationally such as to the Philippines, Australia, Croatia, etc. They can't get too many minutes from a phone card designed for domestic calls.

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by sarahste928

Other than the phone cards (I'm not a member of Sam's Club), any suggestions for gifts for CMs? Thanks.

Cash?

I like the creative thinking here, but at the end of the day, I personally prefer my employer pay me with money - not phone or gift cards. The former is far more useful for purchasing cruise vacations.

Sam

 

[CM_Mom]

If you're thinking gifts for the CMs in the Club/Lab, the Wal-Mart gift cards are great since they usually have Saturday mornings off - no kids on the ship, no work. They make up for it with longer hours later in the week since the Club/Lab is open to midnight or 1:00am every night.

The CMs in the Club/Lab aren't permitted to keep cash. It's pooled and shared among the whole group or used for a breakfast for the department, etc so if you want a particular CM to have a gift it needs to be a gift card, phone card, etc.

One advantage of Wal-Mart gift cards is that you can take a bunch and if you don't give all of them out, you can bring them home and spend them.

 

[inkkognito]

Sam,

The gifts are not replacements for cash. Rather, they are given to CMs who are in positions that are not traditionally tipped or as a little added "thank you" on top of the cash.

Barb

 

[kcashner]

As to the original "how many" question....there are about 12 CMs in each age group. We handle it by planning on 2-3. I ask DD if there were any counsellors who made her time special, and then we give to those individuals with a thank you note. If they are not on duty the last night, the envelope can be left with their name on it. I think the note from child is a nice touch.

Again, the gift cards are not a substitute for tips. They are given to people who are not in tipped positions OR in addition to a standard tip for the waiters/room stewards.

 

[bobsuzla]

how many Cm's in the lab will I need cards for? What is the normal # to bring for "extra" gifts. I like the target or walmart idea very much, do I buy 10 $10 cards or 5 $20's or what? Not exactly Mommy Warbucks here, but would most certainly like to show appreciation...

 

[CM_Mom]

It's entirely up to you. Especially if you have small children, I would discuss with them who their favorite counselors are with the assistance of the pictures in the Navigator. Then give something special to those. Think of the ones who make the cruise worthwhile.

DD once got a gift from a grateful Mom because she paid special attention to a fearful 3 yo and coaxed her to stay in the Club and have fun on the first night. Once the child started having fun in the Club, she enjoyed it the whole trip and the Mom had a Magical cruise.

In my mind, maybe create thank you cards for all the counselors and enclose something extra in the envelopes of those that provided special service.