Gift box for room steward?

[Clambake77]

With he front of house workers being from  several Muslim countries I’m sure the “PORK RINDS” will be a hit…

[cruiserbear55]

9 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

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. 

He is a crew member and was asked what type of gifts fellow crew members like to receive. Makes no difference what his crew position is.

[LGW59]

8 minutes ago, cruiserbear55 said:

He is a crew member and was asked what type of gifts fellow crew members like to receive. Makes no difference what his crew position is.

Yes and he was covering all of his bases, making sure NOT to offend the Costso and BJ's before cruise crew gift shoppers, knowing full well he could double score for his fellow crew and himself, a pair of socks AND some cash, IMO, HE is the smart one, and probably a good fiddle player.

[Swells1]

I guess I don't understand the vitriol this topic always causes. There is literally nothing wrong with doing something nice for someone. I understand the crew quarters are small, and I'd never give a gift that would take their valuable space, but a box of candy with a tip inside?

 

Yes, I know they have access to snacks, but I have access to a diamond tennis bracelet. I'm not turning one down if offered.  

 

By the way, here's a shot of the goody bags I made for the breakfast room service attendants on my last cruise. Simple and easy to either throw away or give to someone else. 

 

 

[The Shrike]

I'm just here for the comments.  👀

(oh, and "Cash", BTW).

[LGW59]

3 minutes ago, The Shrike said:

I'm just here for the comments.  👀

(oh, and "Cash", BTW).

Many years ago, when Whitney Houston covered "I Will Always Love You", a song written by Dolly Parton, well the song became a world wide smash, many had not known it was written by Dolly and was a big hit for her on the country charts.  In an interview on 60 Minutes, Dolly was asked how it felt that Whitney got all the credit for that song, she responded, "Whitney can get the credit but I'm the writer and I get the cash".  I kind of think the crew may feel the same, keep the Cheetos and pork rinds, but please just give me the cash.  

[oracer]

As the OP, this little snack bag was what I was really asking.   I understand some additional cash, but like candy and toiletries is the option that I was seeking

[PTC DAWG]

15 hours ago, casofilia said:

MONEY

^^^^^^this

[PTC DAWG]

7 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…  

Good grief.

[FreestyleNovice]

7 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Good grief.

 

You forgot the Capslock, poster will have a hard time actually understanding your reply.

[PTC DAWG]

Just now, FreestyleNovice said:

 

You forgot the Capslock, poster will have a hard time actually understanding your reply.

Bless his heart. 🙂

Edited July 31, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[phillygwm]

11 hours ago, cruise*enthusiast said:

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

Yes.  Per the NCL website, you're paying the daily gratuity surcharge, which is split among everyone.  It's really a way to obscure the true cost of a cruise.  You're a budget traveler and think an indoor cabin is $500.  Sure, you figure that's doable, then you realize there's another $100+ pp added on.  I don't know if it's truly pooled among the crew and, if it is, whether there's some transparent accounting.  That really isn't my concern.

 

That said, I choose to tip my room steward, certain bartenders, waitstaff, casino dealers, etc.  None of this is a mandate and supposedly it isn't "expected" but it's something that many of us do.  Perhaps it's my imagination but it seems as though those I tip tend to be more attentive to my requests.

 

Edited July 31, 2022 by phillygwm

[phillygwm]

13 hours ago, cruiserbear55 said:

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

 

You might know your casino host in advance but probably not others.  If I were giving an NBA jersey as a gift (quick Google:  $75) it would be in lieu of cash, not in addition to.  And you'll have no idea whether your steward is going to be a basketball fan.   Ditto for snacks:  who knows where your steward is from?   I suppose socks or a SIM card is doable but I'll still go with an engraved portrait of Ben Franklin (or U.S. Grant for weekend cruises.)  

[WYB!]

I go with candy as a gift on the 1st day.

 

I find it's just a positive morale boost as turn around day is typically their hardest day.

[tonit964]

6 minutes ago, WYB! said:

I go with candy as a gift on the 1st day.

 

I find it's just a positive morale boost as turn around day is typically their hardest day.

It's a nice thought for you to feel good, but this reminds me of when my kids played sports and after every game, during the coach talk, they are given "goodie bags".

 

Just give the crew cash, they are adults. Of course when you hand this to them, they are going to seem genuinely appreciative because they have manners and wouldn't be rude.

[hernando52]

We give the steward some cash on the first day.   We shall give out more cash at the end if the service was good.   No gifts....I never have enough room in my suitcases for extra stuff!!

[FlGoodShips]

We give $$$$. Like somebody else said...

Cash is King. It is so aporeciated.

[The Shrike]

8 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

It's a nice thought for you to feel good, but this reminds me of when my kids played sports and after every game, during the coach talk, they are given "goodie bags".

 

Just give the crew cash, they are adults. Of course when you hand this to them, they are going to seem genuinely appreciative because they have manners and wouldn't be rude.

Yep.  It's like being a kid at Christmas and Grandma gives you a sweater.  You're thinking "A sweater?  But I wanted --insert name of coveted childhood toy--!" but you smile and say "Thanks, grandma, I love it!"

[cruiseny4life]

Money, money, money!

 

Always sunny/in the rich man's world.

 

Or...in my case, the daily service charge.

[BamaCruiser39]

Cash with a handwritten note thanking them for their hard work + leaving good reviews on comment cards/sending an email to cruise line after specifically mentioning them and how good they were if deserved (I've never had a bad room steward on NCL).

Edited July 31, 2022 by BamaCruiser39

[LGW59]

39 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

It's a nice thought for you to feel good, but this reminds me of when my kids played sports and after every game, during the coach talk, they are given "goodie bags".

 

Just give the crew cash, they are adults. Of course when you hand this to them, they are going to seem genuinely appreciative because they have manners and wouldn't be rude.

It reminds me of when me and my brothers and sisters would dump the loot from our Easter baskets on our bed and start trading.  I'm kind of visioning the crew down in their cabins after the cruise Easter bunny bestows them with the "goodie" bags, yes yes I know people that do this may mean well, I personally find it insulting. 

[brianz09]

Cash. 

[debenson0723]

I always give additional cash to my room steward, bartenders, maybe leave a few bills on the table at the MDR at breakfast and lunch.  But, during the restart, the crew were not able to leave the ship at any point and they were in need of items.  Most would tell me they didn't want anything but a few would tell me what they would like. The most requested item was toothpaste. So I would pick up a few tubes and also chips and candy.  One of my room stewards stated he liked those to eat while watching TV in his down time.  It's just a few dollars out of my pocket and if it makes them happy, I don't need or expect anything in return. 

[cassie55]

7 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.

We're currently on the Star. There's a high proportion of Indonesian crew onboard. I don't think pork rinds would be appreciated at all.  

[ysolde]

If someone specifically asks me for something, I will go out and buy it.   But I tip with cash. Assuming crew members want or need things they have not asked me for is presumptuous.