SusanTaxGirl Posted October 25, 2022 Report Share Posted October 25, 2022 I've never sailed at Christmas time before. Will be on Voyager of the Seas from December 18-23, 2022. Besides extra cash...do people bring/give small gifts? if so, what do they like? Any suggestions or experiences shared would be appreciated. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXcruzer Posted October 25, 2022 Report Share Posted October 25, 2022 No gifts............... only cash..............period.......end of story Bean79, Zacharius, FSUFAN and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 25, 2022 Report Share Posted October 25, 2022 Only bring gifts if you already know them and can ask what they want or already know. Or wait until you're on board and ask and pick something up in a port stop. USFFrank 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kadmgs Posted October 25, 2022 Report Share Posted October 25, 2022 We sailed last Christmas. Besides extra cash, we asked our stateroom attendant if there was anything we could pick up for her while in port. At the time, she was unable to leave the ship due to COVID protocol. She said chocolate was always a welcome treat, so we bought some of our favorites in St. Thomas to include a candy that is made about 2 hours from our house. We were shocked to see it in the store actually. We got enough for her to share and she was excited about it. I know they are trained to be "happy" about whatever they are given, but she seemed actually excited. They were working ridiculous schedules at the time and I have a feeling they still are due to the staffing shortages, so I know extra cash will be greatly appreciated. I do not recommend anything that is not consumable because they have very little space to store their belongings, ie don't give them anything they can't eat or spend because they don't have anywhere to put it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFishII Posted October 25, 2022 Report Share Posted October 25, 2022 I am from New England so when I travel I will sometimes carry maple candy. It is a treat that is not available around the world. I have not found a person who has not enjoyed a piece of maple candy. It also travels well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireclan Posted October 25, 2022 Report Share Posted October 25, 2022 28 minutes ago, FireFishII said: I am from New England so when I travel I will sometimes carry maple candy. It is a treat that is not available around the world. I have not found a person who has not enjoyed a piece of maple candy. It also travels well. Maple candy?! Now I want a piece with my (recently ordered) Hot Cinnamon Spice tea! FireFishII 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted October 25, 2022 Report Share Posted October 25, 2022 2 hours ago, TXcruzer said: No gifts............... only cash..............period.......end of story Not the end of the story for me. Though I give cash gifts to my room attendant, waiter and assistant, I make sure to bring little somethings for crew members I have interaction with during the cruise. Being Filipino myself, I'm excited to meet Filipino crew members. On my cruise last year the week before Christmas, I brought them traditional Filipino Christmas food items to help bring a little bit of home to them at Christmas time. For non-Filipino crew, I bring some candies, hot cocoa mixes, and socks. While I agree to a certain extent that "cash is king," I hate the notion that all the crew members think about is getting cash from guests. For some of them, even the little gifts we can bring makes them feel that we've gone out of our way to make them feel we care. The Fox, Skigoofy, WAAAYTOOO and 5 others 4 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanTaxGirl Posted October 26, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2022 17 hours ago, PG Cruiser said: Not the end of the story for me. Though I give cash gifts to my room attendant, waiter and assistant, I make sure to bring little somethings for crew members I have interaction with during the cruise. Being Filipino myself, I'm excited to meet Filipino crew members. On my cruise last year the week before Christmas, I brought them traditional Filipino Christmas food items to help bring a little bit of home to them at Christmas time. For non-Filipino crew, I bring some candies, hot cocoa mixes, and socks. While I agree to a certain extent that "cash is king," I hate the notion that all the crew members think about is getting cash from guests. For some of them, even the little gifts we can bring makes them feel that we've gone out of our way to make them feel we care. Thank you PG Cruiser for sharing your experience with me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted October 26, 2022 Report Share Posted October 26, 2022 49 minutes ago, SusanTaxGirl said: Thank you PG Cruiser for sharing your experience with me! You're welcome! My cabinet looks like a pantry at the beginning of my cruises KJones and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.