Looking for gift ideas for our servers and stateroom host

[sue]

We have been on a few Disney cruises and have always had wonderful service. This next cruise we would like to bring along a few small gifts to give along with their tip money as a token of our appreciation.

I know lots of people give candy and phone cards, but I look at that this way.... What if they don't like sweets or would rather connect with their loved ones via video chat on their computer. I guess I am looking for ideas on small gifts that wouldn't take up a ton of room in their small stateroom, but would be something that would be really appreciated.

Any suggestions??

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have been on a few Disney cruises and have always had wonderful service. This next cruise we would like to bring along a few small gifts to give along with their tip money as a token of our appreciation.

I know lots of people give candy and phone cards, but I look at that this way.... What if they don't like sweets or would rather connect with their loved ones via video chat on their computer. I guess I am looking for ideas on small gifts that wouldn't take up a ton of room in their small stateroom, but would be something that would be really appreciated.

Any suggestions??

As you noted, they don't have a lot of space onboard. And, while they will be most appreciative when you give them anything, money is the preferred gift. As well as a mention by name on the comment card. That translates into extra time off and promotion opportunities.

 

[jlwhitney]

I have never really understood peoples need to give gifts. Whenever we feel our service was great we tend to tip a little higher and always mention there name on a comment card.

Like you mentioned, they may not like or need what you give but that comment and extra tip money could mean the world to them. THey get very little free time in general.

 

[kcashner]

They are working for the money. While "stuff" is nice, they don't have room for anything that isn't going to be consumed or used up. The best thing you can do in addition to the tip is give them a nice write up on the comment card.

 

[disneybeachprincess]

a mention by name on the comment card. That translates into extra time off and promotion opportunities.

 

[sue]

I have never really understood peoples need to give gifts. Whenever we feel our service was great we tend to tip a little higher and always mention there name on a comment card.

Like you mentioned, they may not like or need what you give but that comment and extra tip money could mean the world to them. THey get very little free time in general.

It isn't that we feel the NEED to give a gift, rather we would like to. My daughter worked for Disney, so I do know that they get perks for their names being mentioned by guests regarding good service. This would just be a small token gift on the side. I know if I worked on a cruise ship, it would be fun to receive little trinkets from time to time. I know $$ speaks volumes, but it's kinda like getting money for Christmas. Takes some of the fun out of being able to give a actual gift. We do intend on tipping as usual, just would like to surprise them with a little something on the side is all.

 

[Brumbie13]

Anytime someone asks about this, the same argument always come up. People always say, "Don't give them stuff, give them more tips." As if the people who are considerate enough to plan out giving a gift to staff wouldn't also be the ones to tip extra.

FYI - If someone is coming here asking what kinds of things they can give the stateroom attendant as a gift, it's pretty safe to assume that they are already tipping above and beyond the recommended amount. For them, tipping extra is a given. You're not telling them something they don't already know.



We like to leave a package of trail mix. We figure it's different than what they get most of the time, and if that particular person doesn't like trail mix, there's bound to be someone else working on the ship that they can give it to or trade it to for something they do want.

 

[sue]

Anytime someone asks about this, the same argument always come up. People always say, "Don't give them stuff, give them more tips." As if the people who are considerate enough to plan out giving a gift to staff wouldn't also be the ones to tip extra.

FYI - If someone is coming here asking what kinds of things they can give the stateroom attendant as a gift, it's pretty safe to assume that they are already tipping above and beyond the recommended amount. For them, tipping extra is a given. You're not telling them something they don't already know.



We like to leave a package of trail mix. We figure it's different than what they get most of the time, and if that particular person doesn't like trail mix, there's bound to be someone else working on the ship that they can give it to or trade it to for something they do want.

Thanks you for understanding. I was beginning to feel like know one understood my feelings. It's like the fun was all being sucked out of my question.

 

[kngtrtn]

Anytime someone asks about this, the same argument always come up. People always say, "Don't give them stuff, give them more tips." As if the people who are considerate enough to plan out giving a gift to staff wouldn't also be the ones to tip extra.

FYI - If someone is coming here asking what kinds of things they can give the stateroom attendant as a gift, it's pretty safe to assume that they are already tipping above and beyond the recommended amount. For them, tipping extra is a given. You're not telling them something they don't already know.

Very well said!!!! {{{LIKE}}}

 

[foohpah]

Takes some of the fun out of being able to give a actual gift.

At least you admit that it is really just about it being fun for you. I am another that does not understand giving 'gifts' to CMs beyond extra cash and/or a positive mention on the comment cards. If it makes you feel good then knock yourself out but I cannot imagine that most of the CMs would not just as rather you threw in an extra buck in the tip envelope instead of that bag of candy, etc..

 

[CruznLexi]

Hubby used to work for RCI and people would give gifts and he would take it and thank them for it and at the end of the contract it would have to be dumped before going home. A lot of people have IPhones do an ITunes card is nice. Money and names on the comment card means more than anything.

 

[Brumbie13]

I cannot imagine that most of the CMs would not just as rather you threw in an extra buck in the tip envelope instead of that bag of candy, etc..

Why do people assume it's an "either/or" thing?

People giving gifts to stateroom hosts aren't sitting there thinking "Should I give an extra tip or some junk food?"

Once again, if someone is thoughtful enough to consider giving a gift, you can be pretty sure "an extra buck" is already part of their plan.

 

[dvcdisney]

Thanks you for understanding. I was beginning to feel like know one understood my feelings. It's like the fun was all being sucked out of my question.

I think most people do understand. I, for one, love to give gifts - (but hate receiving gifts ). So I'm always thinking about gifts for teachers, school staff, the cafeteria woman who's always so nice, the receptionist at the doctors office etc.

But I think in this case, unless you know them personally (or seen them often), it's difficult to think of a thoughtful gift other than added tips. I did think about bringing something, but I realized that they don't have a lot of room to keep things and I don't really know them enough to know what they would really like. In this case, I decided that adding them to the comment card, extra tips and letting them know how much we appreciate their service is the best way I can show my appreciation.

Believe me. I'm a gift giver. I know exactly what you mean. I usually spend a lot of time deciding on gifts. For Christmas, although I would prefer to give specific gifts to everyone, I know that some would prefer to have a gift card or cash. It seems so impersonal, but if you really think about it, it's what they want that matters.

So, honestly, I think comment card, extra tip and thanking them each time goes a long way. Maybe a nice thank you card/note would be nice as well.

 

[kendzee94]

We commented,tipped extra, and offered our stateroom hostess our magnetic pictures from our door that she commented on and others also commented on to her and you would've thought we gave her a million bucks!!!

 

[jlwhitney]

Why do people assume it's an "either/or" thing?

People giving gifts to stateroom hosts aren't sitting there thinking "Should I give an extra tip or some junk food?"

Once again, if someone is thoughtful enough to consider giving a gift, you can be pretty sure "an extra buck" is already part of their plan.

Its not that it is an either or thing, but if you are going to already tip extra and spend 10/15 dollars on them then why not just tip even higher. We all also know how frustrating it is to get something that we have no use for and end up tossing it. Extra money they can use to get what they need

 

[Brumbie13]

Its not that it is an either or thing, but if you are going to already tip extra and spend 10/15 dollars on them then why not just tip even higher. We all also know how frustrating it is to get something that we have no use for and end up tossing it. Extra money they can use to get what they need

So maybe we should start having "how much extra tips should I add onto my extra tips" threads.

You said earlier that you didn't really understand giving gifts, and that's fine. My point is that people who ask this kind of thing don't come asking because they wants to hear "Just give them more money." They want ideas from like-minded people. If you're not like-minded, that's fine, we don't all have to agree/understand. But just saying "give them more money" doesn't help answer the question at all. We all have enough sense to realize that we could just give the crew member more money, but the point is to give something a little extra or different.

You'll have to forgive me, but if my recommended tip is $56, and I give a $100 tip and a bag of trail mix vs. giving a $105 tip, I really don't feel like I'm cheating my stateroom host out of that extra $5 I spent on the bag of trail mix. I already gave almost double the recommended tip. (Last cruise my recommended tip was $56 and I gave $120 and two bags of trail mix, so please don't tell me that nobody gives that much extra tip.)


So often here on the DIS people like to point out that those of us who are active on the DIS are only a small percentage of the people who actually cruise Disney ships. It's true in this case as well. Some people act like every week the stateroom hosts are getting endless gifts by their passengers due to threads like these, but my guess is that it is rare for stateroom hosts to actually get gifts. So if someone wants to give them some candies, popcorn, laundry sheets, air fresheners, or whatever, why fault them for it?

We hope that our gifts go to good use, but once we give them, we don't think about them. The person can do what they want. Sure, some things might get thrown out, but some things might be very appreciated as well. We don't have the mindset that, the person might not like what we give them, so there's no use giving them anything. Please don't hold that against us! (One person even insinuated that we were somehow selfish by fulfilling some need of our own in wanting to give to others... yeesh!)

 

[sue]

At least you admit that it is really just about it being fun for you. I am another that does not understand giving 'gifts' to CMs beyond extra cash and/or a positive mention on the comment cards. If it makes you feel good then knock yourself out but I cannot imagine that most of the CMs would not just as rather you threw in an extra buck in the tip envelope instead of that bag of candy, etc..

Have you actually taken a poll as to whether it isn't fun for the cast member to receive extra items for guests whom want to show a bit more appreciation for a job well done? You can do what you want on your cruise and let other do what they want on theirs. If you don't have a suggestion as to a gift idea, then find another question to post your comments on. My gosh.... I "GET" the idea of extra cash and comments. Now, back to the reason for my posting. Any "gift" suggestions?? Thanks

 

[jlwhitney]

What I don't get is they want to recognize them for great service but don't seem to realize what that means. Getting some candy is great but in the end it doesn't translate to much. They want there boss to know, they want the extra money to send to their familes. Many of the crew come from very poor countries which is why they are on the ships, so they can provide for their families.

 

[disneybeachprincess]

very well said!!!! {{{like}}}

ditto! " like very much!

 

[valbob89]

Sure, bringing a gift is something I do because it makes me feel good but I do it with hopes it makes them feel special too. On our Hawaii trip in addition to extra cash in a gift bag, I included candy from my hometown and a tee-shirt commemorating DCL's first Hawaii cruise. Most of the CMs seem very proud of working for DCL so I thought they might appreciate the shirts.