Gifts to Room Stewart, dining staff & kids club counselors

[geoly1]

Hi all! On top of tipping well at the end of the cruise does anyone bring “treats” as an extra thank you? I bought big packs of mentos for each of them & a big bag of chocolate candy for the kids club counselors for their break room. (Kids counselors are not part of tipping but they work so hard!) That was 3 years ago though. Is this still done? Is it ok for them to accept? If it is still ok Does anyone else give something else besides candy? Thank you!!

 

[Dug720]

A mention of their name on the comment card and/or an email or letter to DCL mentioning them by name after means a lot more to stateroom hosts and servers than mentos and chocolate.

 

[Shanti]

Hi all! On top of tipping well at the end of the cruise does anyone bring “treats” as an extra thank you? I bought big packs of mentos for each of them & a big bag of chocolate candy for the kids club counselors for their break room. (Kids counselors are not part of tipping but they work so hard!) That was 3 years ago though. Is this still done? Is it ok for them to accept? If it is still ok Does anyone else give something else besides candy? Thank you!!

Tip money and/or mentions on the comment cards are what will help them and what they'll truly appreciate. A lot of people don't like candy (or don't want to eat much of it, even if they like it), so candy or any kind of edible gift to someone you don't know well has a good chance of going to waste.

They're at work, and any reward for their hard work should be either monetary, or if they can't accept money, in the form of specific praise about them to their employer.

 

[Barbydoll8]

Yes. I make goody bags. I put things like gum, crackers, candy, small hand lotions, Lip Balm etc. I also call them out on the comment cards and give extra $ where warranted.
I was told by several CM's that those little goody bags are a huge highlight and others are jealous when their friends get them. It's hard for them to get stuff at port as they have limited time. I was once told by the dining manager that it is often that one CM gets a list for several people and then they go get stuff for everyone while at port. Their commissary has limited brands so they like getting different things from time to time.
Our one server told us they even trade items with others if they don't/won't use what they get.

 

[bumbershoot]

Money and comment cards.

American candy and most chocolate is such junk I would never give it to a non-American.

Money. Comment cards. And smiles and thank yous. That’s it.

 

[tinkerone]

Having spoken with a friend who was a cm I'm told that they like to get peoples left over magazines and books so if you have any of these items give them directly to someone such as the cm's in the kids clubs. Those people are young and like to keep up with what's happening with the world (especially the star sector) but they don't get to purchase the magazines often. Every magazine you hand over will be read by at least a dozen people. Again, just what my friend told me so just going off of that.
He also told me a candy gift is seldom turned down but the comment cards are king. They rule! Time off and special side trips/gifts are determined by those as well as staff ratings and whether or not DCL will be asking them back so don't think that it is a waste of time. Always give a special shout out to those that you feel deserve it.

 

[Minnie & Daisy]

Does anyone know for sure whether the CM whom you mention on the comment survey at the end of the cruise is made aware of which specific guests(s) praised them? Just always wondered about that.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Yes, chocolates and treats are VERY MUCH appreciated. I made up bags for my daughter to take to Vibe and she told me the counselor went on and on about it all week. And, after I read about it here, I brought British candy and treats to the British CMs on our last two cruises. We gave our room host a bag of treats as well.

On our recent cruise we did all of this and gave magazines as well.

We have given extra tips and have mentioned CMs by name on the comment cards. We haven’t loved every CM to whom we have been assigned but many have gone above and beyond for us and it was our joy to recognize them.

I cannot imagine how hard the CMs work. I think it is great if you and anyone else reading this do something extra nice for them.

 

[geoly1]

Thank you! I always bring extra paper to write all the names of cm’s who have given us extra magic & attach to that small comment card! Glad to hear little treats are gladly excepted too.

 

[Dug720]

Does anyone know for sure whether the CM whom you mention on the comment survey at the end of the cruise is made aware of which specific guests(s) praised them? Just always wondered about that.

I don't believe they are told what cabin. If a follow-up letter or email is sent and a specific situation is described, they will likely be told what the compliment is for and they will likely remember.

 

[Ravenne]

A while ago, there was a CM who would answer questions on here, and she posted that Youth Club Counselors appreciated magazines so that's what I did. First time, they loved it. 2nd cruise, they looked at me like I was weird for handing them magazines. (They were things like Cosmo, InStyle, Glamour etc since they tend to be in their early 20s.) One cruise, I brought Girl Scout Cookies as a treat to the YC Counselors, and they thought I was trying to sell them to them. They thought I was the oddest person to give them treats. As such, I don't bring anything any more. They get compliments on the feedback cards, and extra cash in their envelopes if they're in a tipping position.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Nope. No candy, no cards, no trinkets. Just extra cash and the comment card. Then I don't have to carry around gifts, and neither do they. I should disclose that I don't have kids so I don't need to think about the youth counselors, who aren't tipped.

 

[professorandmom]

After reading in this forum, I created small bags with granola bars, raisins, and other non-candy snacks (no kids in this group so our servers and room steward were recipients)...this was above and beyond the extra cash I provided for excellent service...but the snacks seemed very appreciated

 

[MUN]

They like money the best and kind words, both in person and on comment cards. Also, a mention to their department head is helpful. Conner in adult activities (Roll Tide) was great on our recent Wonder cruise. I made sure to mention this to the Ashley the CD.

MUN

 

[MaleficentRN]

Having spoken with a friend who was a cm I'm told that they like to get peoples left over magazines and books so if you have any of these items give them directly to someone such as the cm's in the kids clubs.

At the end of our first cruise, I sent DS to the club with magazines DH and I had finished reading. He said the CM looked like she was going to cry she was so happy.

 

[lorenni]

Off the Fantasy this morning. Left extra cash for those in tipped positions who went above and beyond. Also named them and the oceaneer counselor who went above and beyond for our son on our comment card.

So I agree with the majority of posters above - cash and positive feedback.

 

[TexasMouseFan]

We are just off the Wonder for the Holidays. We actually had a couple conversations with different cast members about the comments / notes guests leave at the end of the cruise. If you just list the CM’s name, then the CM gets a ‘tick mark’ to count the number of times they were mentioned. If the guest provides comments, then the CM is called into the office and given a copy of the note to read and/or the note is discussed with the CM (good and bad notes are handled this way). So, whatever you say (good or bad), they will know about it!

In addition to notes, in the past we have also given bags of chips and cookies. The CMs that we gave them to were very excited and said they would be sharing them in their department meetings. Honestly, I think anything you are willing to give would be greatly appreciated.