When sailing with Disney Cruise Line, gratuities are a way to acknowledge the dedication and service of the crew members who help make your experience enjoyable and comfortable. While gratuities are optional, Disney Cruise Line provides recommended amounts to help guide guests in planning and expressing appreciation to the crew. These gratuities apply to the team members who provide personalized service throughout your voyage.
The general recommendation is a gratuity of $16.00 USD per night, per guest in a stateroom. This amount includes infants and children. The total is distributed among the following crew members, who assist your party during your sailing:
– Your Dining Room Server
– Your Assistant Dining Server
– Your Head Server
– Your Stateroom Host
For guests staying in Concierge Staterooms and Suites, the recommended gratuity is $27.25 USD per night, per guest. This figure includes the $16.00 recommended gratuity plus additional tips for the assistant stateroom host and the Concierge Lounge team. These crew members are responsible for maintaining the Concierge staterooms and offering personalized assistance throughout the voyage. Their service supplements the core group of servers and your stateroom host.
To streamline the gratuity process, Disney Cruise Line offers a Pre-Paid Gratuities option. You can access this option through your Disney account by visiting the My Reservations section. Follow the prompts for Pre-Paid Gratuities and complete the payment process online before your departure. This method allows you to plan ahead and avoid handling gratuity matters during your trip. If you booked your cruise through a travel agent, they can also assist in submitting these payments on your behalf.
If you do not pre-pay the gratuities online before your sailing, the recommended gratuity amounts will automatically be added to your onboard account for convenience. Final charges are itemized and applied at the end of your voyage. If you wish to change the gratuity amounts once onboard, either by increasing or decreasing them, you can visit the Guest Services desk at any time during the sailing to request adjustments. Requests to remove or modify gratuities are handled personally upon your request.
Refunds for optional Pre-Paid Gratuities must be processed to the original form of payment. This includes any payments made through a travel agent, if applicable.
It’s important to note that Pre-Paid Gratuities do not cover all service-related charges on your cruise. The following items and services are not included in the standard gratuity amount and may incur separate charges:
– Alcoholic drinks, wine, and specialty beverages added to rotational dining room meals
– Dining at adult-exclusive restaurants such as Remy, Palo, Palo Steakhouse, and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement
– Food or drinks purchased at quick-service dining locations, poolside venues, or onboard shops
– Room service (gratuities for Room Service providers are at your discretion)
– Port Adventures or shore excursions
– Services at Senses Spa & Salon
– Any other onboard experiences or services outside the included dining and accommodation offerings
Additionally, an automatic 18% gratuity is applied to purchases made for bar items, beverages, wine, deck service orders, and spa-related services. This automatic charge is clearly noted at the point of sale and on your onboard account statement.
By pre-paying gratuities or settling them aboard your ship, you can ensure that the staff members who support your vacation experience are properly recognized. These guidelines exist to help maintain high service quality and provide you with a smoother sailing experience. You are always welcome to increase gratuities to reflect exceptional service.
Planning and understanding Disney Cruise Line gratuity policies ahead of your sailing will help you manage your budget and avoid surprises during your trip. You can adjust these amounts at your discretion, but following the recommended guidelines ensures the crew is fairly compensated for their work during your voyage.
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