tips for club and lab counselors

[muntzfab4]

I remember reading on the boards that some have given phone cards as tips for the club and lab counselors. Can you please give me the specifics? International, local, in what amounts and anything else I am not thinking of.

Thanks again!

 

[kcashner]

The counsellors are not normally a "tipped" position. However, they certainly appreciate small gifts such as phone cards. The bottom line becomes that any amount you feel is appropriate is fine. We generally bring several $10 cards. Most cards can be used in the US or internationally--you don't need a different card. It just changes the number of minutes available for use.

There are 10-12 counsellors in each kid location. Therefore, I always ask DD if anyone made her time special, and give the cards to the people she names along with a thank-you note. If that counsellor isn't around on the last night, you can leave it at the desk.

 

[CM_Mom]

Although the CMs in the Club and Lab are salaried and don't require a tip, they really appreciate the recognition. The thank you cards mentioned on another thread would really be a hit. They also appreciate Wal-Mart gift or Target gift cards as well as INTERNATIONAL phone cards. Some phone cards can be used for both but be sure to check before you buy.

I think a great pre-cruise activity is to help your kids make hand made thank you cards. This helps them get excited about the cruise as well as teaching them to appreciate the service others perform for them.

 

[lkohawaii]

Thanks CM-mom. I was just going to PM you to ask your DD what the counselors really want. I know there was a thread saying that they couldn't use phone cards in ports or something like that. But with your post above we now know what to buy them. We don't have a Target here in our Aloha State (poor us) so I guess they'll have to have Wal Mart from us.

 

[CM_Mom]

The CMs in the children's programs usually have Saturday mornings off so they have the opportunity to go to WalMart and sometimes Target for personal items and stuff. DD bought an inexpensive comforter last week because she decided her cabin was too impersonal.

And I like the fact that if I bring WalMart gift cards and don't get the type of service that warrants giving them all out...I can spend them myself when I get home. Hasn't happened yet, but it's a thought.

BTW, I DONT recommend WalMart or Target gift cards for the servers or stateroom hosts. They rarely get off the ship except for a few minutes in port. There are phones they can use when the ship is in port. Also the servers and stateroom hosts welcome the universal gift card...cash.

 

[inkkognito]

Hey CM Mom, what about Florida lottery tickets? We've gotten good comments after giving them out to people in other positions. We don't have children, so I don't know whether the counselors would like them too. We usually have Happy Limo do a grocery stop on the way to the port so we can pick some up.
Barb

 

[lkohawaii]

Aren't servers and state room hosts tipped positions...so if you like their service you just give more than the recomended tip?

 

[CM_Mom]

Yes, servers and stateroom hosts are tipped positions and you can just increase your tip. I think the phone cards and other options started because folks wanted to do something a little different than just cash.

Also, because most of the servers and stateroom hosts are FAR from home, the phone cards are a way for them to keep in touch with their family and seem a little more thoughtful to some of us.

We planned to give a phone card to our stateroom host but found out he had a cell phone that he used to call home so we added some cash with a note that we hoped he could apply it to his phone bill and spend more time visiting with his family. He has a wife and 4 year old daughter at home so we know he misses them terribly.

 

[lkohawaii]

CM_Mom thanks for the explanation. You know sometimes I read the boards so many times a day that sometiimes I'm all mixed up. I guess cash can be impersonal, but I figured most universal. I guess I'll have to get some of those phone cards. Everytime I think I've got this cruise thing down somebody teaches me something else.