phone cards..info please

[jvas]

Hi dis Family!
I want to purchase some phone cards to put in the tip envelopes along with the cash for the Cruise Crew....question tho...
what $ value do you usually buy your phone cards for and what type do you get? Also...do you have to activate them prior to giving them out?

Thanks!

 

[wltdsnyfan]

You can purchase a package of them at Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Etc. They also should be international. Hope this helps. Don’t know if you have A Sam’s were you are

 

[ericamanda01]

I was curious about the amount. I know that I can buy a card with 670 minutes for around $20 at costco. Does that along with the recommended tip sound like enought for 2 people on a four night cruise?

 

[ohiominnie]

We buy a 7 pack at Sam's for about $28. Each card has 120 minutes. We give one to each tipped person and also the kids pick out a counselor or two who "made their trip extra special."

HTH

 

[SueEllen]

These do not do much good to the CMs on the ship. The payphones at all of the ports (other than St. Thomas and Key West) do NOT accept pre-paid calling cards. Found this out the hard way!!!

Sue Ellen

 

[coleland]

can CM's not use them on the ship?

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Maybe rather than phone cards, perhaps you can purchase Wal-Mart gift cards. It is my understanding that the CMs get a trip to Wal-mart when in port, to pick up personal items. We are planning to get 10 $10.00 cards to give out for service above and beyond.

 

[ohioMickey]

Originally posted by coleland
can CM's not use them on the ship?

CM's cannot use them on the ship. They are subject to the $6.95 a minute just like guests. I believe they mostly use them in Port Canaveral. They have a bank of phones that the crew uses while the ship is there.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by SueEllen
These do not do much good to the CMs on the ship. The payphones at all of the ports (other than St. Thomas and Key West) do NOT accept pre-paid calling cards. Found this out the hard way!!!

Sue Ellen

I was JUST going to post this!! I bought my husband a $50 phone card so he can check in with his clients and he was NOT happy to find out they couldn't be used in St. Maarten! He spent about an hour on a pay phone in St. Thomas -- I took the kids back on the ship!

 

[natdencro]

Phone cards (as extra tips) are welcomed by CM's - although most of them will only be able to call home with them when in Port Canaveral or Key West. Should they need to call home while on board - then they have to pay the same as guests.

As they get very little time off to shop for phone cards, they welcome them as "extras" - but please NOT instead of tips!Thanks folks. Nat

 

[Farms]

We also got the multiple pack at Sam's. I bout two packs and has some left over, which we are using now. I don't think denomination matters, just remember to make sure they cover international calls, since most of the CM's are international origin. HAve a great time!!!