other gifts for cm

[smahoney6]

I can't seem to find packs of phone cards- did anyone gift other 'thank yous' than phone cards to the workers in the kids club?

 

[Verandah Man]

We handed out WalMart gift cards on last years cruise.

 

[smahoney6]

I should have known you would have a great answer- I love Walmart myself! Would you think Target cards would be too much a local thing? (that is my favorite store which I live way too close too for my wallet's sake!)

 

[natdencro]

Its SO kind of people to give "extra" gifts for the CMs. While gift tokens from stores are great, most of the crew dont have the same stores in their home countries as are in USA - ie: Walmarts. If they are leaving for their vacation, they wont be able to make use of store cards, and that would be a shame. Phone cards are probably a better idea, as they can sell them off to other CM's (if they are going home) or use them to call their families - which to most of them is a "highlight" in their busy schedules.Nat

 

[S. C.]

We found phone cards at sams club.

 

[anlashokna]

How about the pins from What Would Walt Do? They're given to disney employees from those like you and me who received that special treatment. I think the link is whatwouldwaltdo.com.
Might be a nice addition.

 

[mmouse37]

We spoke to many CM's that said a Walmart card would indeed be of value to them. Obviously not to the ones that are headed home to their own countries...but the ones still onboard since the crew bus takes CM's to Walmart on the days that the ship is in Port at Canaveral.

I agree that Phone Cards are probably the best bet, but the Walmart card is also a nice alternative.

I guess it would be up to the individual CM as to what to with the card if they were leaving to go home. Most store gift cards don't expire for at least a year so if they were coming back for another contract it would be fine.

MJ

 

[yodasdabomb]

Originally posted by smahoney6
I should have known you would have a great answer- I love Walmart myself! Would you think Target cards would be too much a local thing? (that is my favorite store which I live way too close too for my wallet's sake!)

From what I know from getting ready for the job, Wal-Mart cards are great because the "Fun Bus" goes to Wal-Mart each week when the Ships are in port. There is a Target but it is farther away so most just stick with Wally World. Even though I am a true Target girl at heart!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

FYI - for those going on the Mexican Riviera cruises next year, the Target is a lot closer to port than Walmart. There's one right off the 110 freeway at Sepulveda Blvd. The Kmart is a little further north off of Torrance Blvd.

 

[CM_Mom]

Since the op asked about gifts for CMs in the Club/Lab, Walmart or Target gift cards are appreciated since the CMs in the Club can usually get off the ship on Saturday mornings and use them to pick up necessities or fun stuff. Also several of the CMs in the Club have cell phones and don't use phone cards.

For the servers and stateroom hosts who have almost NO time off the ship as Natdencro has mentioned, the phone cards are probably better.

Thanks to those of you who are thinking of special gifts for the CMs in the Kids Clubs. It's not expected but is a special treat when they are recognized for excellent service. Hand made thank you notes are also appreciated.

 

[smahoney6]

Thanks for the replies- since I can't seem to find the packs of phone cards at sams- walmart gift cards it will be!

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Gosh, you guys, I never would have thought of this. This is our first cruise where our dd is old enough for the club, and I'm SO glad this was mentioned!

 

[TinkerBellPixie4GOAL]

We had asked our wait staff if there was anything we could bring them back from St. Maarten. Prudence, our ***. waiter, had asked for a beer from her native country that they sell there and Ivan, our waiter, asked for a bottle of Vodka....you should've seen their faces when we gave them their wish....but they had to hide them in napkins and rush them out of the dining room....technically they aren't supposed to receive alcohol from guests....we also left a few bottles of liquor for our room steward with a note....needless to say, they were gone when we came back.

 

[figment52]

Originally posted by smahoney6
Thanks for the replies- since I can't seem to find the packs of phone cards at sams- walmart gift cards it will be!

At my Sam's Club the phone cards are always near the checkout - one a separate rack.

 

[abitjaded]

Is it O.K. to bring a gift on for a previous server? Are there restrictions, besides the alcohol? If you were a CM, what else would you love to get your hands on, but cannot?

Carla

 

[natdencro]

Please be VERY careful giving gifts to Servers in the Dining Room! One very popular Server has recently been given a warning for having a "gift" on their station. Guests are very kind to give "extras", but it CAN cause a problem.Please be aware that there are strict rules, and it could result in problems for the intended recipient. Extra cash is the best policy: at least it goes a little way to make up for those who "forget" to tip.Nat

 

[meandmyshadow]

Just out of curiosity, how many kids club cm's do you buy "gifts" for? And how do you choose which to give to?

Are there certain ones that are assigned to groups that they stay with for the length of the cruise?

I don't even remember seeing the same cm twice in the club. But this was 4 years ago, my memory is quite fggy!