Ideas for gift bag for room steward from kids

[SuperPlanner]

My family is going on the Oasis in a JS in a little over a month. In addition to the pre-paid gratuities, we plan to tip our room attendant at the end but thought it would be nice to put together a little gift bag of items when we arrive. My kids wanted to put this together and came up with some ideas like candy or snacks they cannot get on the ship, a phone card to call home, a fidget spinner, but would love some other ideas of what would truly be used and appreciated by cruise staff. 

Thank you!

[Wheeler825]

I guarantee they don't want to store whatever your kids bring.

[SweetPea]

Honest question. Are phone cards still a thing? Don't most of them have wireless plans?

[smokeybandit]

I would imagine Most use whatsapp and the like to call home. 

[Ampurp85]

In all honesty other than candy, cash will be king. I always bring some chocolate, with and without nuts and call it a day. Unless you will have a Genie, there's no need to personalize any sort of gift because you won't have a feel for the type of person the room steward will be until you get there.

[Ampurp85]

I will add if your children want to give them something maybe make a drawing or something, cards are also easy enough for it not to be a waste.

[Neesa]

My concierge requested laundry detergent, softener and dryer sheets when I asked what I could bring besides $$ of course. They do their own laundry and apparently that stuff is expensive on the ship. I purchased smaller versions but multiple of fragrance free items, I thought he would kiss us, he was so grateful. Tried to pay us for the items. I was mindful of limited space considerations so no big jugs. His smile was priceless. 

Keep your space uncluttered for ease of movement and cleaning as well as gift him/her a day off. We do this at least once each sailing, just get enough towels, they really appreciate it.

[barjpoe]

Interesting on the laundry products, thanks

[Mazeylab]

Cash.  
And a genuine thanks. 
 

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 hours ago, SweetPea said:

Honest question. Are phone cards still a thing? Don't most of them have wireless plans?

One of the casino dealers told me recently that Royal charges them $4/minute to use Voom !  I couldn't believe it.  That's highway robbery.  I'm sure that most of the crew wait until they are off the ship to use their wireless plans but I couldn't believe Royal charges their crew that kind of ridiculous rate.

[asquared17]

once again, the reminder about gifting a day off is welcomed!!

also would not have thought about the laundry detergent. i will bring this on our next cruise. 

18 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

One of the casino dealers told me recently that Royal charges them $4/minute to use Voom !  I couldn't believe it.  That's highway robbery.  I'm sure that most of the crew wait until they are off the ship to use their wireless plans but I couldn't believe Royal charges their crew that kind of ridiculous rate.

it’s completely insane; every crew we’ve interacted with has mentioned how when they do go ashore, it’s always to get internet and they know the places to go when in port bc of these fees. 

[TexanTwoStep]

34 minutes ago, Neesa said:

My concierge requested laundry detergent, softener and dryer sheets when I asked what I could bring besides $$ of course. They do their own laundry and apparently that stuff is expensive on the ship. I purchased smaller versions but multiple of fragrance free items, I thought he would kiss us, he was so grateful. Tried to pay us for the items. I was mindful of limited space considerations so no big jugs. His smile was priceless. 

Keep your space uncluttered for ease of movement and cleaning as well as gift him/her a day off. We we do this at least once each sailing, just get enough towels, they really appreciate it.

This is great, I'm going to pack some detergent and stuff like that for our CA.

 

We also "tidy up" as much as we can before leaving for the day.  Like you said, I'm sure its a breath of fresh air from the garbage human beings that intentionally make a room dirty because someone else is cleaning it.

[smokeybandit]

21 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

One of the casino dealers told me recently that Royal charges them $4/minute to use Voom !  I couldn't believe it.  That's highway robbery.  I'm sure that most of the crew wait until they are off the ship to use their wireless plans but I couldn't believe Royal charges their crew that kind of ridiculous rate.

I would be surprised if this is true.  I've had discussions with crew about their wifi and that never came up. Just that they do have to pay and are limited to their downtime to use it. 

[FireFishII]

I plan on bringing some small (individual size) bottles of maple syrup and some maple candy on my next cruise for the wait-staff and room attendant.  These products are produced locally.  I was also considering some small bottles of locally made condiments - like hot sauce.  Not sure if they would use it but they may become popular with their friends.  I am sure that their food could get old after awhile. 

[melmar02]

My kids are boh taking an origami class at our homeschool co-op. DD has started bringing folded pieces with us in the car for whenever we go through a drive thru, and she gives them to the people working the window. The smiles have been priceless,  so the kids are going to fold tip money into different shapes forbthe cruise. It's the cash we were planning on giving anyway, just in a fun package. There are lots of videos on YouTube. 

[LH101]

That is extremely nice of your kids! I'm sure the gifts will be very appreciated! 

[Ray]

15 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I would be surprised if this is true.  I've had discussions with crew about their wifi and that never came up. Just that they do have to pay and are limited to their downtime to use it. 

The more hardship stories crew tell the more chance of bigger tips because people feel sorry for them! 

[ScottD]

Stuff they can use...laundry and toiletries. But if you want something fun for the kids to give, see if you can find a pack of sticky googly eyes, they use them for the room animals and I'm sure they would love something simple like that from a kid

[Summer Bee Sweet]

Small jars of Nutella and peanut butter. If they don’t like, they have coworkers that do. One cabin steward said they would share the treats I gave them at dinner. Another said at home they had Nutella on toast with their spouse for breakfast. After receiving some from us they FaceTimed with their spouse back home and had the same meal together. That one got me.

I pass out loads of snack size Kit Kats (with cash) at meals and for beverages. I being a few full size bars too.

I do drive to the FL ports and not restricted to weight or number of bags. 

[FireFishII]

7 hours ago, Summer Bee Sweet said:

I pass out loads of snack size Kit Kats (with cash) at meals and for beverages. I being a few full size bars too.

I have heard that Kit Kats are extremely popular in Japan.  So any crew member from Japan would LOVE to get a Kit Kat bar.