Looking for gift ideas for our servers and stateroom host

[disneybeachprincess]

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.

I agree valbob89...it is the same as giving teacher/school gifts...it makes everyone feel good...the DCL "cast members" make us feel good all week no matter what service they are providing...so yes whatever we cruisers do is appreciated by them! Our head server told us the last night that the comment cards are so highly valued because it determines their future promotions, etc...

 

[auntie]

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.

I totally agree. These crew members don't want little trinkets to remember people by. THEY WANT CASH!
Seriously, they must sail with thousands of people. I'd be surprised if they don't just throw those well intentioned but useless tokens of appreciation overboard.
If someone wants to really show their appreciation for a job well done..LET THE MOTHS OUT OF YOUR WALLET!..and GIVE CASH!
I'm sorry, but in my opinion, the whole "bring a gift thing" may make the customer feel good, but it does nothing for those who provided superior service. You want them to remember you..?..TIP them generously. They will remember it and appreciate it.

__________________________________

 

[ohsnapxitsamanda]

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.

I believe we've covered that the people who give gifts also tip and/or write on the comment cards as well. They just want to give something EXTRA.

 

[Brumbie13]

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.

Again, why do you assume that we're NOT also naming them specifically on our comment cards?

Do you think that those of us who go out of our way to be good to our stateroom hosts are unaware that writing on the comment cards helps them out? Will you please give us some credit?

I don't know why you seem to be pushing so hard against the idea of people wanting to go above and beyond in any way other than just giving money and writing on the comment card. What's the harm in giving them extra tips, writing on the comment card, and giving them an extra gift?

Also, we realize that a lot of times they come from poor countries, we realize that a lot of times they are sending money back to their family. But do you realize that it takes a lot of discipline in order to work 14 hours a day for 6 months straight without a single day off, and that maybe a bag of chocolate, some granola, or trail mix might be a great "instant gratification" for the hard work that they do in order to save their money to send it home? Maybe after 4 months of 14 hour days with not a single day off, life is feeling awful hard, and a chance to sit in bed and munch some junk food is just what a person needs to relax and realize why they are putting themselves through so much in order to support loved ones back home.

I've lived out of the country, away from my loved ones, on very limited means, and sometimes a package from mom with some goodies in it that I would never spend money on myself meant the world to me during the difficult, depressing times.

 

[jlwhitney]

Do we even know if the crew members are allowed to keep the gifts? Many jobs out there workers are not allowed to keep anything given to them for various reasons.

I think those who say they do not need gifts nor really care for them are trying to say that save your money on the gifts. Its more about making you feel happy theny anything else which in the end is pretty selfish. Sadly more people give gifts to make themselves feel happy then to make someone else feel happy.

 

[auntie]

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

EXACTLY!

 

[the_princess]

Aren't there any CM's or former CM's here on the boards, who can help with this question? They'll be the ones to ask about what kind of gifts they would like.

 

[auntie]

I'd be willing to bet there is a trail at the bottom of the sea between Port Canaveral and Castaway Cay of useless chotskies,.. all thrown overboard from Disney Cruise ships.

 

[the_princess]

I'd be willing to bet there is a trail at the bottom of the sea between Port Canaveral and Castaway Cay of useless chotskies,.. all thrown overboard from Disney Cruise ships.

Was this necessary???

 

[Brumbie13]

Do we even know if the crew members are allowed to keep the gifts?

Many people have come on and said that their stateroom hosts told them they like receiving laundry sheets because it costs them to do laundry. Those reports wouldn't be so common if the crew members weren't allowed to keep the gifts.

Its more about making you feel happy theny anything else which in the end is pretty selfish. Sadly more people give gifts to make themselves feel happy then to make someone else feel happy.

You've gone from "I don't understand why people feel the need to give gifts" to "they might not like it, so why bother giving it," to "you're cheating them by giving them gifts," to "you're selfish for giving them gifts."

Again, I'm not sure why you are pressing so hard against the idea of other people giving gifts, but at this point, I am pretty that sure you don't have a single good justification for your position.

 

[Brumbie13]

Was this necessary???

When you have a strong conviction, but you don't have a reason behind your strong conviction, all you can do is make fun of those who don't agree with your conviction.

Don't take that away from her, it's all she's got in this argument.

 

[kcashner]

Do we even know if the crew members are allowed to keep the gifts? Many jobs out there workers are not allowed to keep anything given to them for various reasons.

My understanding on this is that it depends on the department and how the gift is given. A CM in the Youth Activities area is allowed to keep a gift or gift card if it has his/her name on it. They are not allowed to keep it if it did not come specifically to them by name--it must be turned in and used as a door prize for a department party. They cannot keep cash as they are a non-tipped position.

I got a bottle of adult beverage that I wouldn't have a use for, so asked my stateroom host whether he would like it and if I should talk to someone--he said that HE would take care of the reporting but that I might be contacted by a supervisor.

On another occasion, DD knew it was our server's birthday and wanted to get him a gift--no problem, but again, he had to report it to his supervisor.

 

[foohpah]

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

Sure I spent my last vacation polling CM's. I also said if you want to feel good about it (which you DID say) then knock yourself out giving gifts. It does not bother me one bit if someone wants to hand over their clearance Halloween candy to their stateroom host (which lets be honest is the 'quality' of many of the gifts often given) or if they throw an extra $100 in the tip envelope.

All I know is that on my next cruise I may tip my stateroom host $15/day/person rather than $14/day/person plus a bag of candy. It takes up far less room in my luggage and imho I think the $1 in cash I saved not buying candy is probably more appreciated in most cases.

 

[TheTexasGal]

I think people like to do gifts because some CMs can't accept cash... From what I understand people at customer service who take things to be signed can't take money. I am planning on getting some packs of extra gum and attach a little note that says thanks for making this an EXTRA special vacation.

 

[Minnie Monellen]

This past June on the Magic we tipped an additional 50 per cent to the three severs and room steward, marked excellent and named the individuals on the comment card. We only drank 2 bottles of the Evian we bought onboard, so the rest of it we gave to the room steward. We gave three bags of trail mix and nut clusters to guest services for the character signatures. We had a lot of extra candy and gum which we gave to the Youth Activity Counselors for one of their parties.

 

[sue]

Let me just say, I AM SORRY FOR EVER POSTING THIS QUESTION ON THE DISBOARDS!!! It appears that some people just can't be polite and answer a simple request for a suggestion on a gift giving idea! This is suppose to be ( or at least I thought it would be) a fun place to get some "nice feedback". For being Disney related, it has turned into the most UN-MAGICAL place on earth.
I know everyone has their opinion of this matter. That is CLEAR as a bell. What I don't get is why certain people find it necessary to be rude and why they can't simply give a nice suggestion instead of telling me I shouldn't give a gift if I want to. These are also the people who probably open up a gift someone has given them and before thanking the person, tell them they don't like it. Really people if you can't simply give me a suggestion on a nice gift, then don't respond!! END OF STORY

 

[TheTexasGal]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't regret asking this question. Realize that some of us who are newbies benefit from these questions. Those who handle it wrong do a disservice to us because it makes people not want to ask questions. I am glad you posted it and hope you realize that someone got good info here from a few that probably really helped.

 

[BriarRosie]

Let me just say, I AM SORRY FOR EVER POSTING THIS QUESTION ON THE DISBOARDS!!! It appears that some people just can't be polite and answer a simple request for a suggestion on a gift giving idea! This is suppose to be ( or at least I thought it would be) a fun place to get some "nice feedback". For being Disney related, it has turned into the most UN-MAGICAL place on earth.
I know everyone has their opinion of this matter. That is CLEAR as a bell. What I don't get is why certain people find it necessary to be rude and why they can't simply give a nice suggestion instead of telling me I shouldn't give a gift if I want to. These are also the people who probably open up a gift someone has given them and before thanking the person, tell them they don't like it. Really people if you can't simply give me a suggestion on a nice gift, then don't respond!! END OF STORY

Ignore naysayers. You'll be happier. You want a gift idea? Prepaid phone cards. I heard that those are much appreciated when I listened to the DIS Unplugged podcast when it was recorded on the Dream a couple weeks ago.

 

[disneybeachprincess]

Please know that your question had a positive purpose & had all good intentions! I too have had negative responses to a simple question & it feels bad. We are all Disney lovers & just trying to help each other. So ignore the negative & remember the positive!

 

[Brumbie13]

Let me just say, I AM SORRY FOR EVER POSTING THIS QUESTION ON THE DISBOARDS!!! It appears that some people just can't be polite and answer a simple request for a suggestion on a gift giving idea! This is suppose to be ( or at least I thought it would be) a fun place to get some "nice feedback". For being Disney related, it has turned into the most UN-MAGICAL place on earth.
I know everyone has their opinion of this matter. That is CLEAR as a bell. What I don't get is why certain people find it necessary to be rude and why they can't simply give a nice suggestion instead of telling me I shouldn't give a gift if I want to. These are also the people who probably open up a gift someone has given them and before thanking the person, tell them they don't like it. Really people if you can't simply give me a suggestion on a nice gift, then don't respond!! END OF STORY

Sorry you're upset Sue.
I tried to keep things on topic and keep this thread on track, but there are some people would rather preach to you than answer your question.

I appreciate you asking, hopefully you got some good ideas.