Everyone loves getting an unexpected present, and it’s even fun to give them. While you may be prepared to offer tips to various crew members, bringing specific things to make gifts to the crew might be a new idea to you.
We all know how hard all of the crew members onboard cruise ships work and often doing so for months at a time away from their families. They also often work late shifts not getting back to their rooms until after even the crew kitchen is closed leaving them sparse choices if they’re hungry. While cruise lines do try to show appreciation for exemplary service through various employee incentive programs, it often means much more to have a guest provide a personalized gift of appreciation.
What kinds of things make good gifts that are appreciated by crew members? What sorts of things do you miss when you are away from home for an extended time? That’s right, comfort food snacks! We often select small items like you would pack in a lunch box that are just fun like small Pringles packs, chocolates, cookies, mints, or chips. These can be purchased inexpensively at either $1 stores or warehouse stores. Try to avoid things that customs officers might confiscate like cheese, meat, and fruit.
How do you package it into a gift once onboard? Simple, gift bags can be packed flat along with some tissue paper in your carry-on bag. Once you begin to get settled onboard you can assemble the gift bags quickly. If you have opted to purchase a single box of chocolates, just bring some ribbon to make it look more like a present.
The last thing we also always bring in abundance are blank greeting cards with some sort of tropical image or a thank you. We get the names of our concierge, butler and room attendant and then write a personalized note to them and include our planned tip and give it to them the very first day of the cruise. We know from experience they are going to take great care of us, and this is always received with delighted surprise.
So if we only need cards for those 3 crew members then why bring an abundance of cards? Simply put, we always make an effort to get to know crew members we see often, and learn how to pronounce their names. We often write personalized cards and include tips for these additional crew members throughout the cruise.
So when packing all you will need for your next cruise consider including some items to offer as gifts to the crew and see just how much sunshine you can spread around! – René
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I used to work for a large international law firm and I had to make weekly trips to London and bi-weekly trips to various points in Asia and I hope the same business class crew each time- after 3 months were where on a first name bases and I bought them all birthday gifts and they did the same for me. When I left the job, we had a very nice goodbye party for me. Fast forward 2 years, I was randomly checking into the Hilton in Oahu and my Asian flight crew was checking out of the hotel and we had a “family” reunion, It was a great time
Allen, I’ve never flown the same route with that frequency and gotten to know my crews that well. My father was a TWA loyalist in the early 90’s and flew all over the US each week, but began and ended every trip with a flight between STL and OMA. He got to know all of the FAs and most of the pilots that worked this short hop and they often exchanged small gifts. On the flights home he was always gifted a handful of mini bottles from the FA handling first class. Every Friday night it was fun to see what minis had come home with him (not that I was old enough to partake).
It’s a great idea, when we arrive at a port we try to get snacks from that port that is unusual. Snacks you can’t get elsewhere.
Also on a recent cruise we were tablemates with a FA and she mentioned that small memo pads with a sharpie is really appreciated because FA’s always have to write notes and stuff and the airlines don’t supply that.
@Danny C – Brilliant thanks!