Thoughts on gifts for room attendants, servers, etc.

[ArtemisPhoenix]

Brand new, first time cruiser here. I've seen some mentions here about gifts for CM and I'm wondering if that's something that is usual/expected for your server team and room attendant. And if so, what makes a good gift for someone stuck on a boat for several months at a time?

 

[Dug720]

No. They have no room for trinkets. Their cabins are shared and tiny. My sister has her own small cabin because of her position and she has even asked me not to send anything (she relented when I asked if the necklace I got her in Cuba was ok).

The best thing you can do - besides adding to the tip if you wish - is mention their name on the comment card, at Guest Services, and/or in a follow-up email. That is worth more than any little trinket.

 

[diznymom]

Like Dug720 said: give more money and mention them on the questionnaire you get the last night. Bring extra paper for all the people you want to mention.

They don't have room for anything else.

 

[bbel]

Maybe I'm weird (but I know I'm not the only one), I've still got my stash of 'trinkets' collected over my 7 contracts and can remember the story behind pretty much every one (how/when/where/who I got them). They make great stories and memories.

But no, they're totally not expected.

 

[Vijoge]

People work on cruise ships to make money, earn a living. Not to collect stuff.

 

[lbus42]

i have heard that some enjoy getting regional candy/snacks, like Goo Goo Clusters, Texas Pralines, Moonpies, etc.., stuff you would not normally be able to get on a cruise ship.

 

[Shanti]

Brand new, first time cruiser here. I've seen some mentions here about gifts for CM and I'm wondering if that's something that is usual/expected for your server team and room attendant. And if so, what makes a good gift for someone stuck on a boat for several months at a time?

The two best gifts are:

• Money in the form of higher tips, and
• Positive comments about them on the guest comment card.

They'll be polite about receiving anything else, but given the nature of their jobs, the two things above are what they truly want and appreciate.

 

[MunFam]

We did bring candy for the non-tipped positions...and asked if they wanted the current magazines that I was finished reading on the ship. Both were easy to consume quickly without taking up a bunch of space.

 

[ArtemisPhoenix]

Thanks everyone. I sort of figured that extra tipping and positive comments were the norm and went without saying. I probably wasn't clear enough in my question...I understand that they don't have room for a lot of useless gifts. That's what I meant when I asked what would be good for someone who is stuck on a boat. I had seen some reference in another post to snacks being appreciated and was wondering if there were things that would be more appreciated than others, or if there were other personal luxuries that might be hard for them to get but would be nice to have.
Sorry...I realize none of that was clear in my original question. But, yeah, don't worry...I fully intend to tip extra and fill out glowing comment cards, and I won't be bringing giant Disney mobiles for them to hang over their beds. I'm not a complete idiot...despite what I may sound like when I write.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I've read from a CM's comment that snacks /candy and relevant magazines are appreciated.

 

[elvispursley]

We left our room host gum *gasp* and chocolate along with increased tip and comments. We also wrote her a personal "thank you" card for taking care of our family during our week-long vacation.

 

[undertheradar]

Money makes the world go round, the world go round, the world go round.

 

[Flossbolna]

Sorry...I realize none of that was clear in my original question. But, yeah, don't worry...I fully intend to tip extra and fill out glowing comment cards, and I won't be bringing giant Disney mobiles for them to hang over their beds. I'm not a complete idiot...despite what I may sound like when I write.

You did not come across like an idiot!! I understand your confusion because people mention gifts for crew members and your question shows that you are actually thinking about what makes sense. It is just a topic that comes up here regularly (and I see that you are pretty new to the boards, so to the DIS) and that may be the cause for some rather direct replies.

Ultimately, as much as you want to try to figure out what is appreciated, I think you still have to take into account that you have no idea what someone appreciates. You might get lovely chocolates. But the person you give them to has a nut allergy and cannot eat the chocolates. Or you have some magazines that you give to someone who will spend 10 minutes flipping through them and then pass them on. Even on land in situations like that I would tend to get people a gift card, not something specific. But gift cards don't make sense for the CMs as you do not know if they will have access to the business where the gift card is from. So, plain money is truly the best option. If you want to do something personal, put the tip in a nice envelope with a nice card to give it more of a personal touch.

 

[MUN]

Brand new, first time cruiser here. I've seen some mentions here about gifts for CM and I'm wondering if that's something that is usual/expected for your server team and room attendant. And if so, what makes a good gift for someone stuck on a boat for several months at a time?

They like money the best.

 

[lucas]

Brand new, first time cruiser here. I've seen some mentions here about gifts for CM and I'm wondering if that's something that is usual/expected for your server team and room attendant. And if so, what makes a good gift for someone stuck on a boat for several months at a time?

Cash.

 

[aboveH20]

Good question! I would have to say that one of the non helpful tips I read on this board was to take a little gift for the servers and stateroom attendants from your hometown. Since I'm from New York I put together a small bag of chocolates, a magnet (I had read they can use magnets on the walls in their room), and I think there was something else -- maybe a pen -- that all had New York on them. This was in addition to an extra cash tip. I don't think they appreciated the token gift (the head server was trying to shove it in his pocket) and I didn't see anyone else handing out anything. Honestly, I felt a little foolish and would never do it again.

 

[puzzledprincess]

Maybe I'm weird (but I know I'm not the only one), I've still got my stash of 'trinkets' collected over my 7 contracts and can remember the story behind pretty much every one (how/when/where/who I got them). They make great stories and memories.

But no, they're totally not expected.

On my last DCL cruise last year I gave awesome crew members little bags of chocolate (Lindt, etc.) They seemed happy but not overly so. I would like to give them something they would really enjoy on my next cruise in a few months because I know they work so hard. Any thoughts on what to give them? Or should I stick with chocolate? Lol

 

[MUN]

On my last DCL cruise last year I gave awesome crew members little bags of chocolate (Lindt, etc.) They seemed happy but not overly so. I would like to give them something they would really enjoy on my next cruise in a few months because I know they work so hard. Any thoughts on what to give them? Or should I stick with chocolate? Lol

They like cash.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

As others have said - comment cards, tips, etc.

Also this worked well - I ordered a bouquet of roses for DW on one 3 day cruise. Our room hostess was a woman (don't know that men would appreciate it as much) so DW found her on the last day and asked her to take the roses because they were too beautiful to throw out. She was very excited to be given them (who knows if she would have kept them otherwise?). At least, i think she was because we saw her next year and she mentioned to my DW then how they lasted for a long time and looked so nice.

Honestly I think it was the thought more than the flowers. But - eh.

 

[lorenni]

Good old under the table cash money.

On one cruise our room steward had left her young child in China with his grandparents so she could work on the ship. Candy won't make up for not seeing her son for months at a stretch. On another cruise our server had left his wife and children at home in the Philippines so he could work on the ship. Again, a few extra bucks are going to make a bigger difference to them than will a few pieces of candy.

You have to put away your first world mindset and put away the "nice candy, keepsake, something representing your home state" idea. Save that stuff for a fish extender group that's not saving every penny so their kids can have a better life in a third world country.

The nontipped positions are different and they are nontipped because they actually get paid instead of relying on tips. I would imagine a heartfelt thank you and mention on a comment card is all that's necessary or really wanted by a good CM.

And as a PP said (in nicer words) you could hand any CM in any position on the ship a baggy of dog crap and they would feign thanks. It's their job to have a happy face on for you.