S/O - Cast Member Gifts/tokens of appreciation

[Momof4girls]

What have you, or will you, bring as tokens of appreciation for the cast members on board?

I'd love to get some ideas!

(Especially NON-chocolate ideas)

Maybe a thread like this would be nice to link in the FAQs?

 

[Cruise]

I know you're looking for "non-chocolate" ideas, but honestly, I would make sure anything you do bring qualifies as "consumable." The CMs have very little living space, even less for storage, and even if only 5% of people cruising every week brought them some sort of token, that would be 100 small items they'd have to find a place for.

Phone cards used to be popular, but there have been reports and more and more of the CMs are getting international cell phones and don't need the phone cards as much. Gift cards to Wal-Mart and Target would work so they can restock personal items on their days off. If you're looking for food ideas other than chocolate, you can always try for something local to you - maple syrup from the NE, salt water taffy if you live near the beach, etc.

The best thing for them is letting DCL know what a great job they've done and how they've personally made your trip better. You can bring along some note cards so you can write them a note of appreciation and tell them that you've mentioned them on your comment card.

 

[Momof4girls]

I'm just concerned about melting

My girls came up with a great idea...

Pixie Sticks!

(I was considering Jolly Ranchers)

 

[Cruise]

I'm just concerned about melting

My girls came up with a great idea...

Pixie Sticks!

(I was considering Jolly Ranchers)

Ohhh. In that case...

Tootsie Pops
M&Ms
Gummi Bears
Jelly Belly jelly beans
Boston Baked Beans

But yeah... pixie sticks are a great idea... it goes with the theme!

 

[DisFor20]

What have you, or will you, bring as tokens of appreciation for the cast members on board?

I'd love to get some ideas!

(Especially NON-chocolate ideas)

Maybe a thread like this would be nice to link in the FAQs?

We've brought cash. It is a consumable, doesn't take up much space, doesn't melt in your suitcase, and, most importantly, is completely fungible...allowing the CM to purchase whatever it is they like or value. Finally, it takes the guess work out of trying to figure out what the CMs will like.

 

[figment52]

Jelly Belly's (or the Sam's club equivalent). I've done it a couple of times and the CM's were thrilled.

 

[MouseLovinMom]

We've given small gift bags with candy, Wal-Mart gift cards, and thank you cards to CMs that have made our trip extra special. We've also given a couple special CMs a personalized magnetic photo frame and included a photo of the CM with the kids. The photos have always gotten rave reviews. Two of the CMs asked for MORE pictures to share with their families. We also remember them on our end of cruise survey.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

We gave out GS cookies. They went over very well. We have a cookie titled "Thanks a Lot" (short-bread with chocolate backing) and the box has "Thanks" written in many languages on it. I thought it went with the whole reason for giving them. We'll do it again on our cruise in the fall. And the bonus part is that at the end of the cruise there is extra room in the suitcase!

So should anyone want to buy some, we'll be selling in the fall.

 

[kcashner]

What might be "best" depends totally on the position of the person involved. For CMs in tipped positions, cash is definitely the top choice. For CMs in non-tipped positions, their job title will determine whether or not they can keep the cash. For instance, if you put a few dollars on the piano in Sessions, I believe the pianist can keep it (although he is not allowed to have a tip jar). If you give a cash tip to a worker in the child programming area, he/she is required to turn it in--it goes into a fund that provides for a party for all workers in that area.

Similarly, if you give a childcare worker a gift card WITH HIS/HER name on the card, he/she can keep it. If it doesn't have her name on it, she must turn it is--it will be used as a door prize at the party.

The best thing you can do for a special CM is to name them (name and department or country) on your evaluation...or write a letter to DCL naming them. This is HUGE in determining advancement in the company, raises, etc.
For a little onboard treat, something edible..usually sweets...are probably the preferred item. Offering the wine left in your bottle to your server is also a big hit! (do mention to the head server that you gave it to the server just to avoid any mis-understanding).

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

The best thing you can do for a special CM is to name them (name and department or country) on your evaluation

We did this for everyone that we gave cookies to. I didn't even think about writing to DCL when we returned. I will remember it for the next tiem though. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[tngal]

This is a great idea~ I am going to be thinking on something to give. I don't guess this is something you could ship before hand since it involves food? sure would be nice if you could....less to pack!

Lisa