What do you give the kid counselors?

[staylor]

Maybe Geemas mom or CM MOM can answer this. Did I read once that they like to get walmart cards for their trips to walmart while at PC?

What do you give them?
Staci

 

[CM_Mom]

The CMs in the Club/Lab are in salaried positions so tipping isn't required but it's kind of you to think of giving them "something extra". The WalMart or Target gift cards are a good idea since there's a "fun bus" they can take to those stores when they're in port and everyone needs toiletries, personal stuff, etc. Phone cards are also appreciated. Even those CMs with Cell phones sometimes need them - like a couple of weeks ago when DD sent her slacks to the laundry with her cell in the pocket - fortunately Wardrobe figured out whose it was and returned it.

 

[ohiominnie]

We were just on the 10 day and gave our servers and stateroom host a phone card on Christmas day. The kids also gave out some in the clubs. That way if they had a second, they could call home on Christmas day. They truly seemed touched and excited to be able to call home. Especially James who nearly burst and told us that everyone would be getting together at his Grandma's house for dinner and he'd call then and surprise them.

Then at the end of the cruise we gave Wal*mart cards to our servers and stateroom host and the kids were able to pick two counsellors each that truly made their cruise magical. They also gave them candies and one of the little business cards with clipart and a message on them.

And then there is Kerry from England who my dd (age 10) knew from a previous cruise, but had been relocated to the "squishies" (the 3-4's) but yet who still managed to make my dd's cruise truly magical.

 

[tkd lisa]

We gave Wal Mart cards as well as phone cards. They seemed to be appreciated.

 

[maminnie]

Our two children were in two different age groups. It would have been hard to be sure to give something to all the great counselors that they encountered during the 7 day. I would be afraid that I might miss someone.

We were told that you may give cash and it is put into a fund for all. The kids each prepared a card to be given with the cash group gift.
You may want to verify this with the cruise line as policy may have changed since Spring of '04.

Hope this helps.

 

[Dreamer04]

I have to admit that I have never given a tip to the kids counselors. I am almost embarrassed to say that, especially after my last trip with my DD7. One particular counselor was extremely kind to my little girl. If I had planned more, I would have had something for her.

 

[staylor]

Thanks for your help everyone. You gave me some great ideas.
Staci

 

[Lizardbeth61]

. . . because when I asked the counselors, I was told the same thing . . . that it's a salaried position. However, we wanted to do something. No offense, but they did more for us than the Maitre 'D (sp?). Anyway, they said the put the tips together and go to breakfast.

I like the gift or phone card idea. May consider that for our March cruise!

 

[kar313]

Should the phone cards be international? Are the counselors mostly Americans?

 

[CM_Mom]

I would stick with international Phone cards. If you look at the kids navigators at www.dcltribute.com/navigators , it has pictures of the counselors with their name and country. Americans are in the minority.

 

[Celestine]

We cruised just before Xmas & DD gave some Marks & Spencer chocolate coins to the two counsellors who sorted out her nose bleed (the one from UK was really excited by the prospect of "proper" chocolate) & the counsellor she really clicked with got a tin of English dairy fudge in tin shaped like Big Ben with Peter Pan & Co. flying across (bought in UK on way to holiday). We also gave our server, assistant server & stateroom host bags of Marks & Spencer chocolate money (traditional in the UK).