This topic has been archived due to inactivity and closed to further replies.
I understand tipping my Cabin Steward extra cash. Recently, I learned of giving the Stewards gifts on boarding day. I just did this on my most recent cruise. I gave a little gift bag of wrapped candies, toothpaste, tooth brushes, and cash. LOL - I figured if he did not like the candies, he could give them to female crew members. I know, sexist.
My question. What have folks given as 'gifts' to their Cabin Stewards? What was received positively?? or negatively?? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
We always give cash on the first day and later to the special people. Plus I like to bring back from every port something sweet or savory just as a taken of appreciation. I know that crew food far cry from our food on board and they desperate for some spicy or salty or home taste.
My the most favorite crew gift? Ship was making weekly round trips from Seattle and I delivered home cook dinner one week after our cruise. Girls told to us that after 7 months on board they crave real food.
Leave it, definitely leave it! AND give extra cash to your fav people on board.
we would get on so well Marjorie :)
in addition to pre-paid gratuities, I always tip cash to the fantastic wait staff and cabin stewards.
Have not been on a cruise for a while now, but would expect to continue with cash when we go back.
My partner Rosemarie has been unwell recently. She put on a very brave face over the weekend, whilst I was hosting my Candlelight Suppers, as a fundraiser for my award winning charity work.
Bless her wee heart !
Lynn is feeling so good today :)
I don't think NOT Leaving the auto gratuity is even in play in this conversation. This was about the above and beyond...
captanang was TOTALLY correct. I ALWAYS allow the normal (auto) crew tipping policy, AND give extra cash to my favorites. I was looking to see if folks here have come up with unique (special) ideas. I truly loved the example by JohnGold regarding the money for text books. What a humane and heart warming idea !! Best gift I have ever heard someone giving to a crew member - or their family.
Yes - CASH always is #1.My little gift bag cost me next to nothing - but was appreciated by my Steward. I like the local theme of gifts mentioned by others. Still here. Still reading. Still hoping to find 'the magic potion' of an answer. You all are great sources of experience, and ideas. Thank you for contributing.
As a Prime Client on Most Cruise lined many as example provide me with a Free Full Refrigerator. Stocked with Liquor Soft Drinks Water etc.
I usually give the Balance of what is left to my Cabin Stewart if he's very attentive.
I use to leave $20 per day. Now the ship takes $12 -$15 per day & it's billed onto my account Unless it's part of The Perks given to me by the Cruise line.
Peace and love
They love to receive cash, so that's the only thing we ever give them
I don't think NOT Leaving the auto gratuity is even in play in this conversation. This was about the above and beyond...
When we sailed through the Panama Canal on a 23 day cruise, Our cabin steward became quite familiar with our needs, and serviced them accordingly, and well beyond the usual scope. We tipped him very well at the start and at the midway point of the cruise. We discovered that he had put 3 daughters through university and had the last one starting that year. On the last day we gave him our emergency cash fund, close to $400.00 U.S with the stipulation it goes for the books the girl will need to start the school year. What the biggest surprise was when three months later we received a letter from the daughter with a picture of her and a stack of books.
update, she has completed her pre med degree and is now studying in the US somewhere.
Sometimes it just feels good to do something like this.
I love this story! I have a nice one, but not as generous as yours. You may have noticed we tend to cruise during the colder months. I always leave Colorado with a down jacket and gloves. We were on a cruise where one of the hostesses was leaving the ship at the end of the week. She was returning to a cold climate and looked for Winter outer clothing at every port of call... in the Caribbean. We asked each night after a port, what she found. She is a tiny lady. She saw one coat, Men's XL and no gloves. Resigned to going home wearing several sweatshirts and socks on her hands, she was still upbeat. My coat was way too big, but my gloves were stretchy. So after dinner the last night, I gave her my gloves. You would have thought I gave her my life savings. She was very happy. Sometimes it's the little acts of kindness that can bring great joy.
Agreed.
Lynn is wonderful today
We’ve had mixed responses when it comes to the gratuity portion of our cruise costs.Do we leave it or remove it??
We quizzed a number of staff over many voyages and says one thing another says something else. So we’ve decided that gratuity stays and a personal envelope with a handwritten letter with cash goes to the folks who go the extra mile or three.
Seems like a win win situation ðð¢
Tried to respond 2x to this..lets see if this sticks.....I think you're doing the right thing. Never could understand folks who line up at the end to get it removed. They're either extraordinarily cheap, think they're "getting over" on the cruise line, or had a bad experience so EVERYBODY pays for it. I wonder how often it happens, per cruise....Bet the lines know, to the penny....
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency, and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners (travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on external web sites.
