For those who want to give the crew gifts here is a list from Chris

[Ozark_Kid]

1 hour ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Socks, do most crew like fun socks or the basic white or black socks?

We simply asked the cabin steward if she needed anything before we got off at St Maarten.  She said she would appreciate some black socks.  

[neverbeenhere]

If you can’t understand the post, give what is pictured below. 
 

 

[BND]

Yeah, we'll still do cash and let them spend it how they want.

[Husky1987]

7 minutes ago, BND said:

Yeah, we'll still do cash and let them spend it how they want.

 

It's like the old joke about getting gift cards....gee thanks, you took $50 that I could've spent anywhere and turned it into $50 that I could only spend in one store.

 

[Btank]

9 hours ago, caymancouple said:

Ok from a less than technical person.... the idea of a "sim card with Data".... can anyone post a link as an example?  

The 7 Best Prepaid SIM Cards for the US

 

DISCLAIMER: I'm not personally familiar with any of these offerings.  

 

      --bruce T.

 

[Hogbay]

10 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

 

Sorry this Chris is on a different pay scale to housekeeping and F&B staff who most have children and extended family to feed. Shop and casino staff are on a working holiday not there for economic reasons in their home country. My tip for Chris is to wear sunscreen the other staff get cash $$ 😇

[AlohaLivin]

6 hours ago, MJSailors said:

A compliment to their supervisor either written in a post cruise survey or fill out a compliment card (Princess used to provide these at the Passenger Service Desk - I am no certain if other cruise lines do this.).

This is one that is so important!  We try to seek out the supervisors/managers and back it up using the official cards to compliment crew (especially the exceptional ones). I guess it’s human nature to see the negatives, but I think it’s so important to notice and reward the positives! Thanks for that reminder.

Edited October 31, 2021 by AlohaLivin

[DirtyDawg]

10 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

If you can’t understand the post, give what is pictured below. 
 

 

Of course, if you have useful items made with a few of those the crew might like those items too. New of course, not used already. (That one's for you @Merion_Mom 😉)

 

 

 

Edited October 31, 2021 by DirtyDawg

[billslowsky]

17 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

I think AFC Richmond "football" jerseys would be more popular than NBA jerseys. 😉

 

 

Maybe a Detroit Lions shirt.  Or NY Jets.

[crazyank]

11 hours ago, Hogbay said:

Shop and casino staff are on a working holiday not there for economic reasons in their home country.

where in the world did you get that idea??  We don't know about the shop staff, but we've spoken to many casino staff who have families back home that they are supporting.

[time4u2go]

17 hours ago, cured said:

Sounds like a lot of wasted money. Everything on this list is available through Amazon, so an Amazon gift card or an extra $50 I would spend on the jersey  may be in order so that they can buy the right team, the right size, the right sim card for their phone.

I'm curious...can they order things from Amazon?  How/where do they receive deliveries?

Edited October 31, 2021 by time4u2go

[not-enough-cruising]

12 hours ago, Hogbay said:

Sorry this Chris is on a different pay scale to housekeeping and F&B staff who most have children and extended family to feed. Shop and casino staff are on a working holiday not there for economic reasons in their home country. My tip for Chris is to wear sunscreen the other staff get cash $$ 😇

This is nonsense

[DirtyDawg]

1 hour ago, billslowsky said:

Maybe a Detroit Lions shirt.  Or NY Jets.

I've never had such bad service on a cruise that I'd subject the crew to a Lions' or a Jets' jersey. 😊

[neverbeenhere]

1 hour ago, time4u2go said:

I'm curious...can they order things from Amazon?  How/where do they receive deliveries?

In  Miami there is a warehouse for this purpose.  I’m guessing there are other warehouses available in other home ports. 

[BND]

1 hour ago, time4u2go said:

I'm curious...can they order things from Amazon?  How/where do they receive deliveries?

Yes, they can and do order from Amazon.  Packages are delivered to the ships in home ports.  The orders are shipped to an address for RCI and distributed by them.   Just like they get any mail.  As Chris said in the above email he can get everything he needs onboard the crew store.    

[PTC DAWG]

This isn’t hard people, just give them cash. 

[PTC DAWG]

14 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

 

It's like the old joke about getting gift cards....gee thanks, you took $50 that I could've spent anywhere and turned it into $50 that I could only spend in one store.

 

Agree, gift cards are for suckers. 

[bucfan2]

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

This isn’t hard people, just give them cash. 

Exactly.  I could care less exactly what Chris or anyone desires to have for personal supplies...that is their business.  Cash let's them decide, and I don't have to broach the discussion of speed stick vs. degree.

[brillohead]

8 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

Exactly.  I could care less exactly what Chris or anyone desires to have for personal supplies...that is their business.  Cash let's them decide, and I don't have to broach the discussion of speed stick vs. degree.

Don't be sexist now... what about Secret: strong enough for a man, but made for a woman?

[neverbeenhere]

A much better method: Ask the specific crew member what they would need from port. 

[AustinCruise]

3 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

Agree, gift cards are for suckers. 

For Christmas gifts, we give origami folded cash. 
 

[A&L_Ont]

22 hours ago, MJSailors said:

Here’s a KISS (Keep It Simple Sam) list:

Cash

 A smile

 A thank you

 A neat cabin

 A compliment to their supervisor either written in a post cruise survey or fill out a compliment card (Princess used to provide these at the Passenger Service Desk - I am no certain if other cruise lines do this.).

You could always ask your cabin Steward when you are disembarking the ship in a port, if they would like something you could bring back for them.

 

All of these.

 

19 hours ago, HicksRA said:

De Ja Vu. Wasn’t this issue beat to death a few days ago?  

I missed it, but it sounds like CC is getting back to normal. 

 

17 hours ago, BND said:

Yeah, we'll still do cash and let them spend it how they want.

Agreed. 

[A&L_Ont]

3 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

I've never had such bad service on a cruise that I'd subject the crew to a Lions' or a Jets' jersey. 😊

I don’t know what they’d think if they got an Ottawa Senators jersey. 😂
 

A Raptors jersey on the other hand, they knew they did well. 

[boscobeans]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Itchy&Scratchy]

21 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

A much better method: Ask the specific crew member what they would need from port. 

I would, but I am limited to bubble excursions at the moment and cannot just go shopping in port whenever I wish. And in some ports, everyone is limited to bubble excursions at this time.