Gift box for room steward?

[oracer]

We want to pu together a little gift box for our room steward, what kind of items do you suggest?

[casofilia]

MONEY

[casofilia]

And then more MONEY

[phillygwm]

38 minutes ago, oracer said:

We want to pu together a little gift box for our room steward, what kind of items do you suggest?

It's a nice sentiment but yeah, money.  And I always gift a bottle of Duc de Valmer.  😂

 

Seriously, they're generally from third world countries and are sending back every spare penny to their family.  There's nothing you could give them that they'd appreciate more.  Maybe fill out a Cruise Hero card for them as well.

Edited July 30, 2022 by phillygwm

[StolidCruiser]

13 minutes ago, casofilia said:

MONEY

 

11 minutes ago, casofilia said:

And then more MONEY

 

[jebhoward3]

They live in small cabins that are shared, sometimes 2 people, sometime 4 people.  Not much room for anything.

[joyy7403]

Definitely money

[ChiefMateJRK]

Wow.  I came into this thread to say MONEY and found out that everybody else has already beat me to the punch.  This is likely one of those rare occurrences where an internet forum is close to 100% agreement on something.😎  

[victory2020]

They love salty snacks. I always bring a goodie bag & they are always appreciated as these items are not readily available to them. Go ahead & tell me my experience is not my experience. Yes, they are from 3rd world countries but are wealthy by their standards & live accordingly. 

 

 

[Oakman58]

The reason they are on a cruise ship and away from their families is to make decent money.  I give a bag of M&M's and a chunk of money.

[ChiefMateJRK]

11 minutes ago, victory2020 said:

They love salty snacks. I always bring a goodie bag & they are always appreciated as these items are not readily available to them. Go ahead & tell me my experience is not my experience. Yes, they are from 3rd world countries but are wealthy by their standards & live accordingly. 

 

 

Do you give them a goodie bag of money too?

[victory2020]

1 minute ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Do you give them a goodie bag of money too?

Tip at the end also

[RD64]

Cash plain and simple - and in US dollars.

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Do you give them a goodie bag of money too?

 

Edited July 31, 2022 by LGW59
Delete

[cruiserbear55]

3 hours ago, oracer said:

We want to pu together a little gift box for our room steward, what kind of items do you suggest?

 From Chris Wong, YouTube cruise vlogger and currently Assistant Casino Host on RCI Ovation:

   1. US SIM cards with data

    2, Especially if the crew member is from the Philippines— Any NBA teams jerseys or 

         hats, or NBA sports memorabilia in general

      3. Any food items from their home country.

•         4.Socks!! He states a good supply of socks keeps crew members from wasting 
•             precious  “off time” in the laundromat.
•            5. Positive, glowing comments on crew comment cards or hero cards. Says to 
•                 please name the crew member you’re commenting on, as opposed to a 
•                  generalized recommendation such as “ the casino crew was great”
•              6. He doesn’t say it, but we all know that cash is king!!
                 

 

 

 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, cruiserbear55 said:

 From Chris Wong, YouTube cruise vlogger and currently Assistant Casino Host on RCI Ovation:

   1. US SIM cards with data

    2, Especially if the crew member is from the Philippines— Any NBA teams jerseys or 

         hats, or NBA sports memorabilia in general

      3. Any food items from their home country.

•         4.Socks!! He states a good supply of socks keeps crew members from wasting 
•             precious  “off time” in the laundromat.
•            5. Positive, glowing comments on crew comment cards or hero cards. Says to 
•                 please name the crew member you’re commenting on, as opposed to a 
•                  generalized recommendation such as “ the casino crew was great”
•              6. He doesn’t say it, but we all know that cash is king!!

There is a difference between Chris Wong, who is a casino manager, and a room steward. 

 

Give your room steward cash, in US Dollars (currency of the ship no matter where it sails). $5-$10 per person in room per days in cruise. 

[cruise*enthusiast]

Are these tips in addition to the pre-paid gratuities?

[WYB!]

I like to bring a few bags of assorted chips for the cabin steward, and I'll also bring a big bag of candy (from costco, sam's or bj's_) depending on the department size for the front desk, excursions and cruise director staff.

Then cash also at the  end for the cabin steward.

[Clambake77]

These workers earn a living to be on that ship. Its a personal choice.  Tipping is a ridiculous American tradition to make AMERICANS feel superior to all others.  They should move on to higher paying jobs if they don’t earn enough.  

It’s just like fast food workers DEMANDING over $16 an hour to microwave hamburgers.  ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE PRIMARY BREAD WINNER.  Its an entry level non skilled job. The incentive is to move onto something better.  STOP WITH YOUR AMERICAN HOLY ROLLING ATTITUDES…  

[Coastalbreezes]

On every cruise I bring snacks like Doritos, Cheetos, pork rinds, chocolates etc. Treats like this are always appreciated. I tip at the end too. If you want to bring a small gift bag of goodies go right ahead and don't let the naysayers convince you otherwise.

[FreestyleNovice]

6 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

$5-$10 per person in room per days in cruise. 

 

With all due respect I find this hard to believe as being the norm.

 

Let's take a regular balcony/inside hallway in let's say a set of 20 for one steward/ass. steward team; 7 day cruise, double occupancy, and all cabins are at your average of $7,50 per person per day. That would generate them $2100 a week, roughly $8400 a month if you multiple it by 4 weeks! Divided by two, plus their salary from the cruise line. 

 

I don't think they make such money on the tips, on average. And even with some people stiffing them, some giving them whatever instead of money and some big brag tippers, it would even out at above average.

 

Which just seems high to me.

 

But it might be the explanation why some crew members do have a newer model iPhone than me.. 

Edited July 31, 2022 by FreestyleNovice

[FreestyleNovice]

3 hours ago, Clambake77 said:

These workers earn a living to be on that ship. Its a personal choice.  Tipping is a ridiculous American tradition to make AMERICANS feel superior to all others.  They should move on to higher paying jobs if they don’t earn enough.  

It’s just like fast food workers DEMANDING over $16 an hour to microwave hamburgers.  ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE PRIMARY BREAD WINNER.  Its an entry level non skilled job. The incentive is to move onto something better.  STOP WITH YOUR AMERICAN HOLY ROLLING ATTITUDES…  

 

I am not sure if this post will directly end the US tipping culture but I hope you feel relieved. 

 

We just adapt to the cultural norm and accept tipping as it is. In the same way as dressing appropriately when abroad, i.e. visiting churches or other cultural differences you might meet.

 

And your suggestion would not fit in a small giftbox anyway, surely not with Capslock on. 

[Turtles06]

13 hours ago, oracer said:

We want to put together a little gift box for our room steward, what kind of items do you suggest?

 

A good mix of green paper with portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, and Andrew Jackson.

[LGW59]

2 hours ago, Coastalbreezes said:

On every cruise I bring snacks like Doritos, Cheetos, pork rinds, chocolates etc. Treats like this are always appreciated. I tip at the end too. If you want to bring a small gift bag of goodies go right ahead and don't let the naysayers convince you otherwise.

Treats are for my dog, tips are for people who work very hard to make sure I have an awesome, worry and carefree vacation, ya know, me not cleaning the toilet, making the bed, folding the towels, ice bucket filled, fridge stocked, reservations made, snacks magically appear...the treaters can fool yourselves into believing that chips and the like are so appreciated by the staff, when in reality, if you were honest with yourself, you'd know you were only doing this for YOU, making you feel better for helping, oh you know they are from a third world country, FYI they do have snacks on the ship.  Stop the Nonsense and you know it, CASH IS KING!!!!   

[LGW59]

5 hours ago, Clambake77 said:

These workers earn a living to be on that ship. Its a personal choice.  Tipping is a ridiculous American tradition to make AMERICANS feel superior to all others.  They should move on to higher paying jobs if they don’t earn enough.  

It’s just like fast food workers DEMANDING over $16 an hour to microwave hamburgers.  ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE PRIMARY BREAD WINNER.  Its an entry level non skilled job. The incentive is to move onto something better.  STOP WITH YOUR AMERICAN HOLY ROLLING ATTITUDES…  

Interesting and thought provoking take.  I have always subscribed to the theory of when I am a guest in someone elses home I abide by their rules.  For example, I am not a religous person in anyway at all, actually anti.  However, when in Rome, I love the history and Vatican and museums and the gorgeous churches scattered around the city and the country for that matter, I always make a point to visit and spend time.  Just because I may not agree with the religous aspect or their make them feel good rules, I made the choice to go so I still follow the remove hat request, no shorts, shoulders knees etc. I follow those requests because I am their guest, it is not difficult.  Of course there are many others we can all point out that we may or may not agree with, but you know when in Rome...if you choose not to, well you know what you are.  BTW what country are you from?