leenie29 Posted February 16, 2008 #1 Share Posted February 16, 2008 We're not leaving until the end of June but I'm starting to think ahead. I would like to give Alla, the guide and driver a thank you gift after our tour (beside a tip), a little something from our home town. Since we're on the Jersey Shore would something like salt water taffy or fudge (my 9 year old thinks we should get the little teddy bears that wear a t-shirt that says "Welcome to the Jersey Shore" to give as a gift but I'm not convinced) be appropriate. I'm thinking more so as a way to teach my boys (ages 14 & 9) to be appreciative to our hosts for showing us a great time in and teaching us about their country. The last time I was in St. Petersburg it was 1988. I was on a college student semester abroad program and a couple of pack or cartoon of Marlboro's were the most appreciated "gifts" we gave to families that we visited. I know things have changed a lot since then. Any ideas/suggestions are very welcomed. Eileen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nana4x Posted February 16, 2008 #2 Share Posted February 16, 2008 We'll be using DenRus for a private 3 day tour for our group. Since we own a hand crafted bath and body products business I'll be taking along some of our bar soap. We gave one to our cabin steward (lovely Romanian girl on our last cruise). She was so excited and thankful. Even made a point to come and tell me how good it made her skin feel. I think your ideas are on the right track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gram Cape Cod Posted February 16, 2008 #3 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Last Sept. when I went on the Baltic cruise I brought a bunch of red rubber bracelets with the "Red Sox Nation" on them - they were a great hit with the guides and crew. I was seeked out by crew members looking for them! Since then they've won the world series! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog Posted February 17, 2008 #4 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Last Sept. we gave the guide and driver some post cards of the area we live in, a deck of cards with our flag on them, a small bottle of Canadian Club (mini size). They didn't expect anything and we could tell these extras were really appreciated. Also, a tip and a few kind words meant a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenie29 Posted February 17, 2008 Author #5 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Thank you everyone who replied. Excellent suggestions that I really appreciate. Maybe we'll make little "goodie" bags of stuff from the Jersey Shore like some salt water taffy, fudge and stuff like that to give them. I'll visit our County Chamber of Commerce and see what they have too. Eileen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattyj 1204 Posted February 17, 2008 #6 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Thanks for the good ideas, will have to consider what would be good from our part of the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceVV Posted February 17, 2008 #7 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Hi Leenie29! We are also from the Jersey shore area, a bit west of the coast in Freehold, but we spend lots of time in the "shore area" during the summer. What ship are you cruising on? We are on the Oceania Regatta on July 30th. What a nice idea to bring little gifts for the guide and driver! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceVV Posted February 17, 2008 #8 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Hi Leenie29! We are also from the Jersey shore area, a bit west of the coast in Freehold, but we spend lots of time in the "shore area" during the summer. What ship are you cruising on? We are on the Oceania Regatta on July 30th. What a nice idea to bring little gifts for the guide and driver! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenie29 Posted February 18, 2008 Author #9 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Hi Leenie29! We are also from the Jersey shore area, a bit west of the coast in Freehold, but we spend lots of time in the "shore area" during the summer. What ship are you cruising on? We are on the Oceania Regatta on July 30th. What a nice idea to bring little gifts for the guide and driver! We're on the NCL Jewel on June 22 about a month ahead of you. We know Freehold very well since that's where our closest decent mall is. I remembered from my trip to Russia years ago that it was a custom to bring a gift to your host especially something they couldn't get in Communist Russia. Times have changed a bit since 1988 and the list is a little different since many things are now available in Russia. I look at our tour of St. Petersburg with Alla as our host to show us their country and like any good guests we will bring a gift to each of our hosts. You can always bring Springsteen stuff. Eileen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzky Posted February 19, 2008 #10 Share Posted February 19, 2008 We are also touring with Alla on May 24 & 25. We are from Kentucky and have bought each a glass with all the different tourist sites in Kentucky and filled them with travel sizes of Maker's Mark bourbon, race horses and bourbon candy. A little taste of Kentucky! Roseanna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaneBP Posted February 20, 2008 #11 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I often take ball point pens that are red, white, and blue and then refrigerator magnets with the Liberty Bell. Of course, for me, they are easy to get and pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friendship Posted February 22, 2008 #12 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Last year I took small picture calendars for the next year of the state I live in. Also besides tipping our group took the driver and guide to lunch each day. Lunch was about $10 each. They really appreciated that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belle907 Posted February 23, 2008 #13 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I like the pen and magnet ideas for gifts, easy to pack and usable. When do you give the gifts out? At the beginning of your tour or and the end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenie29 Posted June 10, 2008 Author #14 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Did anyone who has sailed in the 2008 season brought their private tour guides gifts, if so what did you bring? Also how much did you tip the guide and driver? We've book Alla June 29 & 30. Since we're at the Jersey Shore we found flip flop magnets, a postcard with pictures of the Jersey Shore, and salt water taffy, but I'm still looking for little easy to pack things. Eileen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzky Posted June 10, 2008 #15 Share Posted June 10, 2008 We were with Alla on May 24 & 25th of this yr. If you look above under my previous response you will see what gifts we gave. We also did a private tour and tipped more than was recommended by Alla. Roseanna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seabird1964 Posted June 11, 2008 #16 Share Posted June 11, 2008 We were with Alla on May 24 & 25th of this yr. If you look above under my previous response you will see what gifts we gave. We also did a private tour and tipped more than was recommended by Alla. Roseanna How much tip was recommeneded? I haven't seen that information or have already forgotten it. Chloe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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