Tips for Kids Counselors

[Edinafabs]

Besides phone cards and lottery tickets. did you do something else in lieu of a tip for the counselors? And how many counselors would there be in the 5-7 age group? Thanks!

 

[GenieDana]

Walmart and Target gift cards are more appreciated than phone cards - I asked some the crew after our last cruise outside the Terminal.

Each time a ship docks in PC, the Port "Crew Bus" makes the rounds to the those (and other) stores in Titusville before the all aboard. Crew buys personal items there.

Yes the phone cards are appreciated, the gift cards = cash.

 

[magic cruiser]

Good idea ! How much and how many to buy ?

 

[CM_Mom]

If I can remember, I'll ask DD how many counselors are in the Club/Lab when I talk to her on Wednesday. I know she has mentioned being age anchor for 3-4 yo going to meals and there were 44 so there were probably 3 or 4 "counselors" and others with different duties. You might want to only give gift card to those that work with your child the most.

DD has mentioned how much they appreciate notes maybe with a lolipop in them or maybe chocolates for the staff to share. Just some options.

FYI, crew members who have cell phones probably would prefer the gift cards. I've talked to DD several Saturdays while she was at Wal Mart getting personal supplies so I know those would be appreciated.

 

[KyBuckeye]

I'm interested in the answer to this as well. I really like the idea of gift card over phone card just as something a little different but would like to know what "denomination" would be appropriate, and how many counselors each child would be paired with.
Thanks,
Heidi

 

[april riddle]

I was just in Target yesterday and thought to myself that a Target gift card might actually be appreciated. If everyone gives phone cards people might have plenty. I know at work they give you a $5 Target card in a birthday card. Hey it isn't much but it's the thought that counts. Then if you don't use all the ones you brought with you for extra tips you can use them yourself. I love Target in there a couple times a week myself.

 

[hannahandkatesmommy]

I am a Costco and Target junkie, so I not I will be there at least 3 times before my cruise in 13 days.....I would like to pick up some gift cards as well, but how many? Would 4 or 5 $5.00 gift cards be appropriate? I know I sound cheap, but I just spent $5,000 on this vacation and now I am counting pennies....

 

[natdencro]

How lovely that so many guests want to leave "extra gifts" for their favourite CMs: yes, phone cards are always useful, and any gift tokens for Walmart etc., are great - as the crew "fun bus" takes them to Merritt Island Mall on Saturdays - where they stock up on toiletries etc.. I know the CMs also love chocs/candies, but there are strict rules that do not permit them to have certain foodstuffs in their cabins, due to hygiene regulations/lack of facilities. Only candies that can be eaten on the day that they are given are suitable, so please bear that in mind if purchasing boxes of chocs. Their cabins are inspected regularly, and anything like that could be confiscated. Cadburys chocolate is a special favourite among the CMs!!! Nat

 

[CM_Mom]

I agree with Natdencro. You guys are great to remember the folks who work with your kids. But then I've noticed that DisBoarders are a VERY thoughtful bunch.

When I asked my DD the tip question for someone else she said :
"I work with 3 and 4 year olds, I'm easy to impress."

For the counselors, the recognition is as important as the amount. They are salaried and don't count on tips as part of their compensation. But the recognition really helps morale. One thing you could do as part of your preparation is to help your child decorate make some custom "note paper" to take along so you could write a brief thank you for the counselors that work with them. Just an idea. Then if you choose to include a gift card, that's a plus.

FYI, She hasn't said anything about Target but has mentioned Wal Mart.

Also, if any of the counselors do a "MAGICal" job, be sure to mention that in your evaluation. They get recognized within their department if they get named in a positive eval.

 

[GenieDana]

Just like phone cards, the gift cards can be purchased in most any denomination you choose.

For our last cruise, be bought a $5 Walmart gift cards for every counselor in the place (look at current Navigators for a headcount, I think ours was 23 [two age groups]). We bought several additional $10 cards for the counselors our kids "remembered" the most (we asked them just before their last encouter) to tip those that had made an impression on our children.

Our children spent a lot of time in the clubs (we had to drag them out) and made several pen pal friends. The counselors saw more of our kids than we did in 7-days, and I felt that denomination was appropriate.

 

[april riddle]

Although I am thinking along the line of walmart or target gift card - I wonder if anyone would enjoy a small goodie bag with shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste etc? We are going the week after Thanksgiving so I was thinking about getting some clear christmas bags from the dollar store and stuff them with small travel stuff. any thoughs? or can they get that kind of stuff from housekeeping when they are low? I would like them to get something that they don't get a lot of. Maybe I should just stick to the walmart gift cards.(although Target has so many cute ones!)

 

[TinkHappy]

Does anyone know how many counselors are in the 8yo and 10yo group? I wouldn't want to leave anyone out

 

[CM_Mom]

Tink, check out http://www.dcltribute.com/navigators/. If you look at the specific cruises and view the "kids and teen navigators" you can do a count. The counselors pictures are shown on the navigator.

The quick count I made was:
Club, manager and coordinator
11 counselors in 3-4
11 counselors in 5-7
Lab, manager and coordinator
9 counselors in 8-9
9 counselors in 10-12

The counselors rotate duties so your children may interact with all of them in their age group or only a few.

April, DD hasn't mentioned going to Target but I have talked to her several Saturdays when she's been at Walmart.