Letter to steward?

[chamima]

I found the letter because I can't resist a challenge but it certainly isn't our list either.

We also just tell the steward on the first day when he/she is introducing him/herself. As far as leaving a note, I've found he is usually carrying a small notebook and writes everything down.

Our usual things are extra shower towels, wine glasses, top sheet, robes and egg crate (the last three are sometimes already there).

[DoulaAnn]

Are you looking go give the steward more work? They will do whatever you ask with in reason. If you can't come up with your own ideas do you really require that service and it seems to me that if you can't remember the service someone else posted it couldn't be that important to you.

 

I had no idea I was going to get snarky replies when I started this thread. I was simply looking to see what things I might need to ask the steward for, so I could get a note together in advance and not have to remember in the midst of the excitement of being on a new ship. I appreciated the people who pointed out that a short list would be appreciated by a person whose first language isn't English. I wasn't planning to write a letter, just remembered there were several things in the letter. After looking at it, few applied to me.

 

As for making more work for the steward, if asking for ice in the bucket in the afternoon, 2 wine glasses, and a top sheet are too much, perhaps they need more stewards. I figure if I need something every day, the steward might like to know about it at the outset so that I'm not bothering him/her every time about the things.

 

Perhaps people should not assume less than favorable motives when they don't know all the facts.

 

Ann

[BridgeMates]

I had no idea I was going to get snarky replies when I started this thread. I was simply looking to see what things I might need to ask the steward for, so I could get a note together in advance and not have to remember in the midst of the excitement of being on a new ship. I appreciated the people who pointed out that a short list would be appreciated by a person whose first language isn't English. I wasn't planning to write a letter, just remembered there were several things in the letter. After looking at it, few applied to me.

 

As for making more work for the steward, if asking for ice in the bucket in the afternoon, 2 wine glasses, and a top sheet are too much, perhaps they need more stewards. I figure if I need something every day, the steward might like to know about it at the outset so that I'm not bothering him/her every time about the things.

 

Perhaps people should not assume less than favorable motives when they don't know all the facts.

 

Ann

 

I understood your question perfectly. I usually have a list for our cabin steward so he won't have to write everything down. In fact most of the time everything gets crossed off before I meet him (usually all that's left are extra hangars and a couple of other requests). They haven't seemed to mind at all. Needless to say I am polite and friendly when I talk to him about the needed items. Just trying to make his job a little easier.

Don't be offended by any of the posts you read on cc. Some people get off being sarcastic for no reason.

[chamima]

I had no idea I was going to get snarky replies when I started this thread. I was simply looking to see what things I might need to ask the steward for, so I could get a note together in advance and not have to remember in the midst of the excitement of being on a new ship. I appreciated the people who pointed out that a short list would be appreciated by a person whose first language isn't English. I wasn't planning to write a letter, just remembered there were several things in the letter. After looking at it, few applied to me.

 

As for making more work for the steward, if asking for ice in the bucket in the afternoon, 2 wine glasses, and a top sheet are too much, perhaps they need more stewards. I figure if I need something every day, the steward might like to know about it at the outset so that I'm not bothering him/her every time about the things.

 

 

 

Ann

 

 

Ann

There are always critical responses.

Try to ignore them.

I didn't think either your request or the original letter had any "snootiness". As I said, the things the OP requested weren't what we use but she also wrote she brings candy to present with the list so how could that be perceived as snooty.

There are lots of people that might want (or need) something and not even realize they are allowed to request it so the letter might be really informative for those people.

[cr8tiv1]

Originally Posted by DoulaAnn

I had no idea I was going to get snarky replies when I started this thread. I was simply looking to see what things I might need to ask the steward for, so I could get a note together in advance and not have to remember in the midst of the excitement of being on a new ship. I appreciated the people who pointed out that a short list would be appreciated by a person whose first language isn't English. I wasn't planning to write a letter, just remembered there were several things in the letter. After looking at it, few applied to me.

 

As for making more work for the steward, if asking for ice in the bucket in the afternoon, 2 wine glasses, and a top sheet are too much, perhaps they need more stewards. I figure if I need something every day, the steward might like to know about it at the outset so that I'm not bothering him/her every time about the things.

 

 

 

Ann

 

Ann

There are always critical responses.

Try to ignore them.

I didn't think either your request or the original letter had any "snootiness". As I said, the things the OP requested weren't what we use but she also wrote she brings candy to present with the list so how could that be perceived as snooty.

There are lots of people that might want (or need) something and not even realize they are allowed to request it so the letter might be really informative for those people.

__________________

Karen

 

Thank you Ann and Karen for your kind words. I was a little taken aback by some of the comments. My intent was to make the first day as easy for the steward AND myself as possible rather than create more work for him/her throughout the cruise. I make lists because I often forget to mention something on that very first meeting. My stewards have always been more than accommodating and very personable. I generally do not make "more" requests after that initial introduction. I do not compensate for the list with gifts. Being from Hawaii, Omiyage (gift giving) is a custom when going to someone's home or returning home from a trip. It may be stretching it to say that I am "visiting" my steward's home, but, never the less, we are meeting for the first time and I want to share in my excitement.

 

There is much, much, more that I want to say to those negative commenters, but I will refrain and not bring myself down to their level. This is a written format. Is it that hard to filter and edit what you post? Please think twice and edit as often as needed to present your ideas in a more positive light. It only reflects on you. For all the others that have added your positive thoughts to Anne's thread, I thank you too.

[gubby]

We have always asked to have the frig cleared. I never thought about putting the contents behind the TV and wish I had as this would save the steward a few precious minutes while setting up the room or doing the turndown service. Now I wonder if the items will fit if the TV's are now flat screen. If so, that will be my second must do after entering the cabin. I try to bring more articles of clothing that do not require hanging.

[!David!]

We have always asked to have the frig cleared. I never thought about putting the contents behind the TV and wish I had as this would save the steward a few precious minutes while setting up the room or doing the turndown service. Now I wonder if the items will fit if the TV's are now flat screen. If so, that will be my second must do after entering the cabin. I try to bring more articles of clothing that do not require hanging.

 

You can also put items in plastic type bag and put under bed. Just let Stewart know.

 

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[Cruisin' Chick]

I'm not seeing it as being snarky. Just practical. Just think, each steward is probably been tasked with many more cabins than in the past. Yes, let him or her know if there's a problem such as plumbing problems, or a need for more the eggcrates (if the beds tend to be too hard for you) -- immediate needs. But maybe, let the steward know that you'll have some on-going requests but you would like them to take care of the immediate needs for other cabins, too. You'll leave the requests such as ice, etc. on your notepad on the desk for him to look at after that.

 

I'm thinking of a couple of cruises ago when some on my roll call had heard about this one group that was trying to monopolize their cabin stewards and waitstaff (not to mention let their kids run around unsupervised). These passengers (apparently big spenders in the casino) were impacting the service that others were getting.

[PescadoAmarillo]

DoulaAnn- this thread did take a rather ugly turn, and totally unnecessarily too. I don't know why everyone feels the need to comment on the way that other people dress/look/drink/talk/walk/pack/treat the crew/etc. etc. etc. This reminded me so much of a thread several years ago where I remarked that, when we were going through the New Zealand fjords, we took a photo of our cabin steward with the fjords in the background and emailed it to his family back home. It was a rather fun moment, and we still remember his family's email back to us with fondness. But you would have thought that I was 1.) adding to our steward's workload; 2.) depriving other passengers of his service; 3.) denigrating him and/or his position by taking a photo of him in his uniform; and 4.) using the photo in lieu of extra tips, or heavens, or even basic tips. It was such a nice memory for us that I wish I had never opened it up for public comment here. Live and learn.

 

Handing a note to a steward when you meet him is a far cry from stapling it to his forehead. It's not done in lieu of conversation, it's not done to avoid an interaction. It's done to assist communication, that's all. As I've said, we've always been thanked for doing it. We've also been told that we are the easiest passengers (of 18 cabins) to look after, so we're doing something right, or not doing something wrong. Whatever, we will continue in the same vein, regardless of snipe-y comments of CC folks.

 

Also, regarding wine glasses...we've not had a steward get them for us in several years. We're always advised to phone room service, so we do, and we get them delivered to the room.

[PugsRuleATL]

And PescadoAmarillo know what she's talking about. Nicely summed up, perfectly stated.

 

I'd encourage a friendly chat with the steward - anytime you can. They're humans and appreciate being treated with kindness. Just my $.02.

 

 

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[Holomoku]

Our Stewards have always become really friendly. When I meet him/her for the first time I look at the name plate not only for the name but for the country of origin. Then I say "Hello" in their language, Indosesian or Tagalo usually. This then really breaks the ice, as they say, then we converse some and revert back to English. Then I ask them for a phrase-a-day to learn and we work on increasing my ability to speak their language throughout the cruise. On the last cruise our steward spoke Tagalo and the next section steward spoke Malaysian. The Malaysian wrote out lessons for me every three days and it made it great fun to be talking in 3 languages all at once(M, T, & E when needed) when they both were in the hall at the same time. Then there was Ukrainian to learn for the International Cafe server and dining room greeter. Boy was I busy each day, but had a great time. Ukrainian is very hard to pronounce correctly, so that is a slow learning curve.;)

 

That's my $.02 for here,

Have fun and A Hui Hou!:D

[Stevesan]

I sure hope you are right. It wasn't that he didn't do anything -- kept the room clean and all, but just was invisible. Maybe some people like it like that, but I had expected to meet him. Would have LOVED to have someone take our picture at any point. Thanks for letting me know mine was a different experience.

 

Ann

 

The cabin steward's creed: "When you're in, I'm out. When you're out, I'm in." :p

 

I recommend that special services you require be fax'd precruise, especially for bedding needs. Doing that avoids requiring your steward having to make up your bed twice during sailaway day, his/her busiest day. And it insures you have a mattress topper. They run out sometimes.

[DoulaAnn]

Thanks for all the kind words. They help ease the ones that hurt a bit. It helps to hear it wasn't just me thinking it had taken a turn I didn't expect.

 

Anyone who knows me knows I'm incredibly friendly. I try to balance being friendly with not slowing the steward down in getting their work done.

 

Again, thanks for the kind words and for the useful info I've gleaned from many of you.

 

Ann

[libtrek]

I'm sure most know but you can also request a sharps container. In fact, they want you to use it for testers, etc.

Lib

[MustangGT]

The cabin steward's creed: "When you're in, I'm out. When you're out, I'm in." :p

 

I recommend that special services you require be fax'd precruise, especially for bedding needs. Doing that avoids requiring your steward having to make up your bed twice during sailaway day, his/her busiest day. And it insures you have a mattress topper. They run out sometimes.

 

I've faxed a request for eggcrate toppers on every cruise - still haven't had one when we boarded. I don't think the faxed requests ever make it to the steward

JMHO:D

[chamima]

I've faxed a request for eggcrate toppers on every cruise - still haven't had one when we boarded. I don't think the faxed requests ever make it to the steward

JMHO:D

 

That and the top sheet.

Always fax it and it's rarely there.

I always tell the steward he can add both the next day when he's making the bed but it's always on by the first night.

[Happy2cruise]

I've faxed a request for eggcrate toppers on every cruise - still haven't had one when we boarded. I don't think the faxed requests ever make it to the steward

JMHO:D

Happens to us too and the room steward is always very apologetic explaining the request was not received but the topper would be on the bed by nighttime.

[pablo222]

In total agreement. That letter had throne of snootiness written all over it. 6 washcloths for two people? The only thing I ask my steward is for ice everyday.

 

I thought ice everyday was automatic?

I've never asked for ice, and have always gotten it everyday.

[Stevesan]

I've had 100% success with faxing a request for a mattress topper.

However, I always wait till about 4 weeks prior to sailway.

Paper work has a short shelf life. Sent too early it could easily get lost in the land office.