Crew Gifts on Christmas Day

[canadianeh?]

Does anyone have any ideas as to what to give for gifts to room attendants on Christmas cruise?

[SuiteTraveler]

Many crew members are not Christians, so a Christmas present may not be welcome. They may be Muslim, Hindu, Buddist or some other religion. Given the situation, I would suggest something simple such as a Visa or Mastercard gift card or just some cash in a "Happy New Year" card presented either on New Years eve or at the end of your cruise. Crew Members don't have any space to store stuff so money is always appreciated and always the best possible gift for them. Even an extra $50 can make a huge difference in their lives and that of their family.

[Kierste]

Cash, they don't have a lot of room or need for "things"

[www3traveler]

Your best wishes and saying thank you for your service is always appreciated.

[ducklite]

Money is the only appropriate answer. Fold a $50 into a thank you note for each of them. They will be far happier about that than some trinket.

 

 

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[NLH Arizona]

Since you don't know them personally and don't have an idea what they would like or need, cash is always the best gift one could give.

[Kamloops50]

Cash is usually the best . Hard candies are sometimes appreciated as well. These they can share with friends on special days.

[easyboy]

You sound like you give some cash to your steward at end of cruise. Maybe you can give him the same amount as your gift. They can use it to celebrate the holiday at their crew bar and not feel alone from home.

[Nola26]

Many crew members are not Christians, so a Christmas present may not be welcome. They may be Muslim, Hindu, Buddist or some other religion. Given the situation, I would suggest something simple such as a Visa or Mastercard gift card or just some cash in a "Happy New Year" card presented either on New Years eve or at the end of your cruise. Crew Members don't have any space to store stuff so money is always appreciated and always the best possible gift for them. Even an extra $50 can make a huge difference in their lives and that of their family.

 

Note that many gift cards are valid only in USA thus could be more difficult for the crew to use. Cash would be better if you intend to give money.

[BermudaBound2014]

Money is the only appropriate answer. Fold a $50 into a thank you note for each of them. They will be far happier about that than some trinket.

 

 

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Dang- my immediate family doesn't even get fifty's in their card :). I'm sailing over Xmas and plan to bring candy canes with a few dollars attached by a ribbon. I'll hand those out for extra tips. Please don't steal my idea if you are sailing on Epic (haha). :)

 

 

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[alreadypacked]

I'd say cash.

 

These hard-working folks spend months away from their loved ones to make a living.

 

We as cruisers don't know them well enough to know what they like or need.

 

We give cash so they can use it as needed or desired. Once, while shopping at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, we picked up a little box of chocolates for our room stewardess...

 

Again, this was after her extra cash tip. It was a cute little box we saw as we were shopping for ourselves...

 

We figured it she didn't like chocolates or was allergic, she might simply pass it on.

[NMLady]

Does anyone have any ideas as to what to give for gifts to room attendants on Christmas cruise?

 

Many room stewards are not Christian. A gift given to celebrate Christmas might be an insult to them.

[mark290]

Many room stewards are not Christian. A gift given to celebrate Christmas might be an insult to them.

 

I'll bet you a dozen reindeer none of them will be insulted if you give them cash as a christmas , hanukah or halloween gift.

[ducklite]

I'll bet you a dozen reindeer none of them will be insulted if you give them cash as a christmas , hanukah or halloween gift.

 

 

 

Agree. While I would probably give it as a generic "thank you" or perhaps a Happy New Years gift, I can't see being offended. I get Hanukkah card from an old friend every year. I am not Jewish. Nor am I offended. I see it as a symbol of a friendship which has endured many decades and life events from a much beloved friend.

 

 

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[PatJim]

We do give extra cash tips when we sail in December, tucked into Happy New Year cards. But I also bring small gift bags for crew members we know, filled with pocket-size hand cream or lipsticks, plus candy. Chocolate is always welcome. Female crew have told me many times how much they loved the hand cream, which is small enough to tuck into their uniform pockets. Male crew are harder to buy for, so I usually just give them candy. Any leftover chocolates, etc, I hand out at random to 'washy, washy' staff, etc. Think even the captain got a chocolate mint stick from Bloomingdale's!

 

We once sailed with my sister, whose neighbor owns a hand-made chocolate shop. She brought some special chocolates and gift boxes on board, and gave them to some of the crew. The next time I sailed (minus sister), I was surprised that one of the sous chefs came up to me to ask after my sister. He never forgot the special chocolate she gave him. So you never know how small extra touches affect the crew. As many have written on this board, the crew are away from home over the holidays, miss their families, and badly need some TLC of their own!

[JessandLevi]

Agree. While I would probably give it as a generic "thank you" or perhaps a Happy New Years gift, I can't see being offended. I get Hanukkah card from an old friend every year. I am not Jewish. Nor am I offended. I see it as a symbol of a friendship which has endured many decades and life events from a much beloved friend.

 

 

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Wonderful point of view as so many people get so easily offended.

 

 

 

We have done small containers with chocolates and money tucked inside! The crew seemed appreciative!

 

 

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[Casino Comp Chick]

Money is the only appropriate answer. Fold a $50 into a thank you note for each of them. They will be far happier about that than some trinket.

 

 

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Not true, If you know the crew member very well there are other appropriate gifts. I know one that loves drawing in her free time, I bought her a few sketch pads and colored pencils. She loved it so much the next morning her husband left me a drawing in my room she sketched off of my FB page. Amazingly beautiful, shes quite talented.

The crew members only get a certain amount of time in port on some weeks so its not always easy for them to do their own shopping so if you really really know what they like, I say go for it. It will be appreciated just as much as cash.

With that said, I always give cards with cash on top of that at the end of every cruise dont let the nay-sayers here discourage you.

Edited November 27, 2016 by Casino Comp Chick

[mjkacmom]

Many room stewards are not Christian. A gift given to celebrate Christmas might be an insult to them.

 

I thought the majority of crew members are from the Philippines, which is primarily Catholic.

[ducklite]

I thought the majority of crew members are from the Philippines, which is primarily Catholic.

 

 

 

Many are from Indonesia (Muslim) and India (Hindu) as well. I read an article recently about the average large ship and it's crew, and they had 30-some countries and over a dozen religions represented.

 

 

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[cb at sea]

I don't know about all of you, but the reason I work is for MONEY...not gifts! Same with these folks! An extra tip is always appreciated. That way, they can use it as they see fit.

 

I once had an employer who gave us a turkey at Christmas...I would have rather had a bonus!

[FLcruisergrl]

Agree. While I would probably give it as a generic "thank you" or perhaps a Happy New Years gift, I can't see being offended. I get Hanukkah card from an old friend every year. I am not Jewish. Nor am I offended. I see it as a symbol of a friendship which has endured many decades and life events from a much beloved friend.

 

 

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Exactly. I am not Jewish, but if someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah, I am not offered in the least. I can't imagine someone being offended because they are given a gift or an expression of well wishes. That being said, I agree with putting a little cash in a card for them.

[ducklite]

Not true, If you know the crew member very well there are other appropriate gifts. I know one that loves drawing in her free time, I bought her a few sketch pads and colored pencils. She loved it so much the next morning her husband left me a drawing in my room she sketched off of my FB page. Amazingly beautiful, shes quite talented.

The crew members only get a certain amount of time in port on some weeks so its not always easy for them to do their own shopping so if you really really know what they like, I say go for it. It will be appreciated just as much as cash.

With that said, I always give cards with cash on top of that at the end of every cruise dont let the nay-sayers here discourage you.

 

 

 

There is no guarantee that you will know your steward, server or asst. server. What you are suggesting is bringing in gifts for someone you personally know. But there is zero guarantee they will be the one taking care of you. The daughter/sister of family friends is currently working on one of the really small ships (~150 passengers or so) and if we were to sail on it, I would bring her things "from home" that she might not be easily able to get while in the out of the way places that ship sails to. But I would bring them as gifts for her, not as gifts for our cabin steward/server/etc. I would do the same thing if she were working at a hotel in some foreign land, even if we were staying elsewhere. Therein lies the rub.

 

 

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[OCruisers]

They simply don't have room in their cabins for gifts.

CA$H is always appreciated. :D

[ducklite]

I don't know about all of you, but the reason I work is for MONEY...not gifts! Same with these folks! An extra tip is always appreciated. That way, they can use it as they see fit.

 

I once had an employer who gave us a turkey at Christmas...I would have rather had a bonus!

 

 

 

I have worked for numerous employers who gave turkeys or hams. Every single one of them was donated to a food pantry. We don't eat either. I would have rather had the cash to put towards the tenderloin roast we do have.

 

 

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[canadianeh?]

Thanks everyone. We have decided that cash is king so besides leaving the customary "little something extra", we will give a non- holiday specific card with some cash. Wanted to recognize their hard work and simply share a holiday feeling of good cheer.