Crew Welfare Fund

[rafinmd]

On the all inclusive luxury lines where tipping is not expected many cruisers express their appreciation by donating to a Crew Welfare Fund. I very much like that idea.

 

In Alaska last summer I took the behind the scenes tour on the Radiance of the Seas. Our escort was the human resources manager and the crew welfare topic came up. I asked if passengers could/did ever contribute to the fund and his response was that he couldn't remember the issue ever coming up before.

 

With this as a practice on lines as diverse as RCI and Crystal I guessed it was universal but then found after their fire that Oceania doesn't have one.

 

I normally give cash beyond the HSC to my waiters and cabin stewards. On my Maasdam cruise I will (barring magic by the Maitre d) be in anytime dining. I've onlhy had it once before (Zaandam) and it was a bit awkward. I gave cash to my cabin stewards but could not to the dining stewards since they were different every day.

 

On that cruise I made an upward adjustment to the HSC, but would prefer if possible to take the Crew Welfare Fund approach. Does anyone know if this is possible on HAL?

 

Thanks

Roy

[Topsham]

Excellent.

 

Yes, don't remember Crew Welfare Fund.

 

When I sail with Saga I do a small painting during the cruise. Then sell raffle tickets to the passenger. The full amount is donated to the Crew Fund.

 

Other passengers do other things also.

 

Stephen

[OVgirl]

HAL does have some sort of crew fund. I'm not sure exactly what it is used for, but you can make donations at the Front Desk. They will also be able to tell you what the fund is for.

[Copper10-8]

Each of the fifteen ships has a Crew Fund

[Lizzie68]

Each of the fifteen ships has a Crew Fund

 

What is it used for?

[Topsham]

Crew Welfare Fund

 

In my days at sea the Welfare Fund did many things like....

 

New TV for the lounge

Buy new books

Perhaps kit for football team

Hire a bus for crew to take a tour.... winery perhaps

Games and gear.... photo equipment etc

 

 

You name it. The important thing is it was for our own commit... nothing to do with Head Office... or what other ships were doing. Head Office put funds for us to use. We might sell off empty oil lube drums etc.

 

In addition from ourselves would do things for charity in various ports.

 

Might even beer night for BBQ! Best!

[solocanadian]

Excellent.

 

Yes, don't remember Crew Welfare Fund.

 

When I sail with Saga I do a small painting during the cruise. Then sell raffle tickets to the passenger. The full amount is donated to the Crew Fund.

 

Other passengers do other things also.

 

Stephen

 

Very kind of you Stephen and how fortunate for the lucky recipient of your painting.:cool:

[Copper10-8]

Crew Welfare Fund

 

In my days at sea the Welfare Fund did many things like....

 

New TV for the lounge

Buy new books

Perhaps kit for football team

Hire a bus for crew to take a tour.... winery perhaps

Games and gear.... photo equipment etc

 

 

You name it. The important thing is it was for our own commit... nothing to do with Head Office... or what other ships were doing. Head Office put funds for us to use. We might sell off empty oil lube drums etc.

 

In addition from ourselves would do things for charity in various ports.

 

Might even beer night for BBQ! Best!

 

And crew parties, Captain! ;) I went out to the WalMart in Juneau once to purchase new darts, a very popular activity in the OB and Crew Mess

Edited January 13, 2015 by Copper10-8

[rafinmd]

Very nice. Thanks, all, especially Copper and Topsham.

 

Roy

[sapper1]

Excellent.

 

Yes, don't remember Crew Welfare Fund.

 

When I sail with Saga I do a small painting during the cruise. Then sell raffle tickets to the passenger. The full amount is donated to the Crew Fund.

 

Other passengers do other things also.

 

Stephen

 

I would be delighted to have an opportunity to buy a raffle ticket for one of your lovely paintings.

[gigianne]

Sapper1 - I agree with you about the chance to buy one of Stephen's painting as well - and for a great cause!!

[ger_77]

How does one make a contribution? Leave an envelope with a donation marked "Crew Welfare Fund" with the Front Office?

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[ODECCIT]

Crew Welfare Fund

 

In my days at sea the Welfare Fund did many things like....

 

New TV for the lounge

Buy new books

Perhaps kit for football team

Hire a bus for crew to take a tour.... winery perhaps

Games and gear.... photo equipment etc

 

 

You name it. The important thing is it was for our own commit... nothing to do with Head Office... or what other ships were doing. Head Office put funds for us to use. We might sell off empty oil lube drums etc.

 

In addition from ourselves would do things for charity in various ports.

 

Might even beer night for BBQ! Best!

 

If we need a new TV for our lunch room at work, my employer covers it. Customers don't pitch in to buy us TVs or new office furniture. It's called cost of doing business.

Edited January 13, 2015 by ODECCIT

[Copper10-8]

If we need a new TV for our lunch room at work, my employer covers it. Customers don't pitch in to buy us TVs or new office furniture. It's called cost of doing business.

 

Nice, but you're missing the point! The Crew Mess on all fifteen ships comes with a TV set, courtesy of the employer. Same goes for the furniture, the fussball and pool table, the computer games! At times, the crew is interested, on their own, in a bigger, updated model TV, so someone will go out and purchase one at the local WalMart in port using the crew fund. A couple of years back, the crew of SADM got together and completely remodeled their Crew Mess, part of which was funded with the crew fund. Buying new uniforms for the ship's soccer/football team, door prices for the crew bingo get together and price giveaway, etc. The crew fund does not depend on "customers pitching in" and no crew member will actively solicit funds from passengers for it

[TiogaCruiser]

If we need a new TV for our lunch room at work, my employer covers it. Customers don't pitch in to buy us TVs or new office furniture. It's called cost of doing business.

 

Gee, years ago when my employer at the time was in bankruptcy we all pitched in and bought TP for the loo.

[TiogaCruiser]

And crew parties, Captain! ;) I went out to the WalMart in Juneau once to purchase new darts, a very popular activity in the OB and Crew Mess

 

I don't imagine you had any problem getting them through security....:D

[ODECCIT]

Gee, years ago when my employer at the time was in bankruptcy we all pitched in and bought TP for the loo.

 

If my employer can't afford TV set or bankrupt I would seek different place to work.

[Copper10-8]

I don't imagine you had any problem getting them through security....:D

 

I did not ;) But, then again, I wasn't purchasing six machetes

[solocanadian]

If my employer can't afford TV set or bankrupt I would seek different place to work.

That is often a lot easier said than done.:rolleyes:

[sail7seas]

Fantastic thread and thanks Copper and Topsham for sharing information.

I love giving to a crew fund. Nothing on a ship would make me happier. For me,

HAL has always been about the crews. :)

 

[ODECCIT]

That is often a lot easier said than done.:rolleyes:

Do you really want to work for someone who is in bankruptcy court? You might not be able to cash your paycheck if they're bankrupt.

Edited January 13, 2015 by ODECCIT

[Topsham]

OK.... I'll take you on to on this. First time I'm cruising I'll bring this up. I don't mind.... sometime I paint when cruising... just for fun.... keeps me out of the bar..... at least until lunch in Pinnacle.;)

 

Best result on one Saga cruise I was able to pitch in almost $8000. That was for charity... such items as, small home for orphans in the Philippines, a school in Cape Town another for children in Equador. Total raised on one world cruise was over $20,000 and Saga Cruising matched that amount.... this is every year. For Crew Welfare Fund.... small piece raised a couple thousand.

 

Stephen

[Topsham]

Oh... I should remember that Holland America does a lot of charity work. All of the cruise lines do this. They just don't brag about it.

[rafinmd]

OK.... I'll take you on to on this. First time I'm cruising I'll bring this up. I don't mind.... sometime I paint when cruising... just for fun.... keeps me out of the bar..... at least until lunch in Pinnacle.;)

 

Best result on one Saga cruise I was able to pitch in almost $8000. That was for charity... such items as, small home for orphans in the Philippines, a school in Cape Town another for children in Equador. Total raised on one world cruise was over $20,000 and Saga Cruising matched that amount.... this is every year. For Crew Welfare Fund.... small piece raised a couple thousand.

 

Stephen

 

Awesome!

 

Roy

[sail7seas]

OK.... I'll take you on to on this. First time I'm cruising I'll bring this up. I don't mind.... sometime I paint when cruising... just for fun.... keeps me out of the bar..... at least until lunch in Pinnacle.;)

 

Best result on one Saga cruise I was able to pitch in almost $8000. That was for charity... such items as, small home for orphans in the Philippines, a school in Cape Town another for children in Equador. Total raised on one world cruise was over $20,000 and Saga Cruising matched that amount.... this is every year. For Crew Welfare Fund.... small piece raised a couple thousand.

 

Stephen

 

Oh... I should remember that Holland America does a lot of charity work. All of the cruise lines do this. They just don't brag about it.

 

 

 

Outstanding!! Really Wonderful. :)

 

And yes, HAL is very philanthropic.

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2015 by sail7seas