How are the room stewards assigned rooms?

[stoneformation]

(Did a quick search but didn't find an answer)

 

We have 2 rooms on the Lido deck across from one another (so one inside cabin, one balcony) - will they have the same steward? Since we'll be doing a holiday cruise, I'd like to bring something small for the steward. I assume it will be the same one, but we all know what happens when you assume...

 

6 days til we leave for Down Under!!

[sanmarcosman]

Should be the same steward and folding money is small ;)

Edited December 8, 2015 by sanmarcosman

[cheeseclan]

They usually can have up to 20 cabins to take care of. When we started cruising they had about 8, times sure have changed.

So the steward for your cabin should have the cabin across the hall as well.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Colo Cruiser]

Usually a block of cabins (16) sometimes more. There is a small possibility that the split will be near the inside and balcony but probably not.

[swilliams1660]

They have very limited personal space for stuff and work extremely hard......and long hours. They would most appreciate the small folding green gift.

[stoneformation]

They have very limited personal space for stuff and work extremely hard......and long hours. They would most appreciate the small folding green gift.

 

It'll be consumable! And we tip generously as well. Another thread highly recommended bringing a small token to acknowledge they are away from family on the holiday. You don't like the idea? Don't do it, but please don't discourage others from recognizing folks and spreading cheer.

[TracieABD]

We give chocolate and something green (that is not spinach!).

[AHS123]

Those floating coffins the crew sleep in look miserably cramped. I like the added cash gift for the holidays suggestion. Many crew are Muslims and don't celebrate the birth of Christ anyway.

[notentirelynormal]

It'll be consumable! And we tip generously as well. Another thread highly recommended bringing a small token to acknowledge they are away from family on the holiday. You don't like the idea? Don't do it, but please don't discourage othehrs from recognizing folks and spreading cheer.

 

How do you know this is their holiday? How do you know your food choice is something they will enjoy. It is better to bring cash and let them choose what they want to consume. Put it in a nice gift envelope. It isn't us that won't like the idea, the crew members prefer cash. It has been discussed hundreds of time and each and every time cash is King, Queen and Knave.

 

Maybe they want to spend the holidays (if they do celebrate) sending an additional gift to their 5 YO child that they are apart from. It is easier to "spread cheer" if you know your family has food on the table then throwing out a box of chocolates that you don't like.

Edited December 8, 2015 by notentirelynormal

[GUT2407]

Cash is king, for about a hundred reasons.

 

You will probably have the same steward, but it's far from certain.

[moki'smommy]

To answer the original question, stewards are assigned a block of rooms in basically the same geographic location on the ship. There is a very good chance that you will have the same steward for 2 rooms directly across from each other, but no guarantee.

[Kenswing]

I say bring whatever you want. You already stated that you tip extra. If there is another token of your gratitude that you'd like to give your steward by all means do it. Regardless if they celebrate a particular holiday or not I'm sure they'll appreciate the gesture..

Edited December 8, 2015 by Kenswing

[chengkp75]

It'll be consumable! And we tip generously as well. Another thread highly recommended bringing a small token to acknowledge they are away from family on the holiday. You don't like the idea? Don't do it, but please don't discourage others from recognizing folks and spreading cheer.

 

Be advised that crew are not allowed to have open food in their cabins, due to USPH regulations.

 

Edit to see that you are cruising from Oz, so they have their own sanitation regulations based on WHO requirements, but generally, the ships do not allow food in crew cabins for sanitation reasons (bugs).

Edited December 8, 2015 by chengkp75

[OCruisers]

Normally, cabins across from each other will have the same cabin steward. We did this many times with our children and we always had the same cabin steward.

CA$H is the most appreciated gift! :D

 

LuLu

[Thrak]

Be advised that crew are not allowed to have open food in their cabins, due to USPH regulations.

 

Edit to see that you are cruising from Oz, so they have their own sanitation regulations based on WHO requirements, but generally, the ships do not allow food in crew cabins for sanitation reasons (bugs).

 

Crew are also not allowed to have alcohol in their quarters - per the Princess employment contract.

[cr8tiv1]

Not sure how to address this thread. I am supportive of anyone who is thoughtful enough to provide an additional tip at the end of a cruise. I am also supportive of anyone who is thoughtful enough to consider a gift of any kind.

 

Gifts are just that. Gifts. Once you give it to the recipient, they may do what they want with it. Please don't flame me for this part of my persona.

 

From personal experience (please don't ask for verification), but crew can have open packages of food in their stateroom. And, yes, their living space can be small, but if it is consumable, then it won't take up much space. They also have the option to share it with others (or trash it). Everyone is very gracious and they let you know how much they appreciated your thoughtfulness.

 

Now, once, I did ask my steward if he wanted anything from shore. He told me that he collected magnets and would be really happy if I found one for him. He "said" he put my name on it and will remember who gave it to him. That was good enough for me.

 

I know everyone is encouraging the green stuff. OP says she will do the green stuff but wanted to do more. I say go for it. And ask others not to judge OP or myself.

Edited December 8, 2015 by cr8tiv1

[TracieABD]

How do you know this is their holiday? How do you know your food choice is something they will enjoy. It is better to bring cash and let them choose what they want to consume. Put it in a nice gift envelope. It isn't us that won't like the idea, the crew members prefer cash. It has been discussed hundreds of time and each and every time cash is King, Queen and Knave.

 

Maybe they want to spend the holidays (if they do celebrate) sending an additional gift to their 5 YO child that they are apart from. It is easier to "spread cheer" if you know your family has food on the table then throwing out a box of chocolates that you don't like.

 

...

Edited December 9, 2015 by TracieABD

[victory2020]

I always bring little goodies for the cabin steward & except for one or two of them have been very grateful, giving us trinkets from their countries, champagne, bottled water, flowers, etc. We also keep our room tidy so they don't have a lot to do for us.

I stick to neccesities & edibles.

[cactusrose]

Be advised that crew are not allowed to have open food in their cabins, due to USPH regulations.

 

Edit to see that you are cruising from Oz, so they have their own sanitation regulations based on WHO requirements, but generally, the ships do not allow food in crew cabins for sanitation reasons (bugs).

 

What does USPH stand for?

[Kenswing]

What does USPH stand for?

 

United States Public Health.. http://www.usphs.gov/

Edited December 9, 2015 by Kenswing

[chengkp75]

What does USPH stand for?

 

The USPH is a division of the CDC, which is specifically mandated with the prevention of the introduction of infectious diseases into the US. As such, their mandate requires them to inspect all foreign ships, not just cruise ships, that enter the US for sanitation and illness among passengers and crew. As it applies to cruise ships, rather than inspect every cruise ship every week when it returns to the US, the USPH and the cruise industry has created the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), whereby the cruise lines agree to meet the construction and operational guidelines of the plan, and the USPH agrees that they will limit their inspections to 2 random inspections per year.

[cr8tiv1]

United States Public Health.. http://www.usphs.gov/

 

 

I did other anything that pertained to crews on foreign ships (not governed by the U.S).

 

I am not trying to be confrontational, but one of those that need to be shown the writing in the wall.

 

Thank you.

[chengkp75]

I did other anything that pertained to crews on foreign ships (not governed by the U.S).

 

I am not trying to be confrontational, but one of those that need to be shown the writing in the wall.

 

Thank you.

 

Not real sure what the first sentence means. The USPH is specifically mandated to inspect foreign ships, and as I posted above, this includes every foreign ship that calls at a US port, passenger, container, tanker, whatever. Their jurisdiction over foreign ships is similar to US CBP for customs and immigration laws. Most cruise lines, if a ship leaves homeporting in the US for a season, with the intention of returning next season, will continue to meet USPH operational guidelines in order to keep the crew's "muscle memory" in working order. Other countries use the WHO guidelines as the basis for their ship inspection process, and the EU has their own set of regulations.

 

The USPH also has jurisdiction over US flag ships that trade to foreign ports, but not over US flag ships that trade exclusively within US ports. So, NCL's Pride of America, American Cruise Lines, Blount cruises, and all the small coastal dinner and casino boats are not inspected by the USPH, but by the FDA, which has a similar protocol as the USPH.

[JuliaNicker]

I applaud the USPH service for doing such a great Job.

making sure all these ships are clean and safe.

[Loonbeam]

BTW, although they are assigned in blocks and usually ones across the hall are the same steward, they ARE allowed to trade out with boss approval, and sometimes they move around the rooms at the end of blocks for logistics reasons especially if the rooms are connecting).

 

So its safe to assume they probably will be the same, but cannot be guaranteed - plan accordingly.