Some of the most common questions I get from my Disney Cruise Line clients center around the etiquette of tipping. In this post, we'll delve into how tipping works on a Disney Cruise, helping you navigate this aspect of your cruise vacation seamlessly.
Understanding the Disney Cruise Tipping Policy Disney Cruise Line prides itself on offering impeccable service to guests, and tipping is intended to acknowledge the hard work of the cast members who go above and beyond to make your vacation special. The cruise line follows an automatic gratuity system, simplifying the tipping process for guests. Guests may either prepay these gratuities, or they can have them automatically charged to their onboard account at the end of their sailing. Currently, the recommended amount is $14.50 per guest per night for standard sailings and $15.50 per guest per night for concierge sailings.
Gratuities Breakdown
The automatic gratuity charges on a Disney Cruise are divided among several key cast members who contribute to your overall cruise experience:
Stateroom Host/Hostess: The individual responsible for keeping your cabin spotless, providing fresh linens, and attending to your needs.
Dining Room Servers: These professionals make your dining experiences memorable by catering to your culinary preferences and offering excellent service.
Assistant Servers: Working alongside the dining room servers, assistant servers ensure that your dining experience is seamless and enjoyable.
Head Server: The head server oversees your dining experience and ensures that your dietary requirements and preferences are met. With Disney's unique rotational dining system, the same dining team will rotate with you through each of Disney's themed main dining rooms.
Customizing Your Gratuity While the automatic gratuity system simplifies things, Disney Cruise Line also recognizes that guests may have preferences regarding the gratuity amounts. If you feel that someone's service has exceeded your expectations, or if you have a specific reason to adjust the gratuity, you can visit guest services onboard and make the necessary arrangements. If you opted to prepay your gratuities, you will be given slips of paper to indicate that on the last night of your sailing. You can slip those papers into the envelopes that are also provided and hand them to your dining team and stateroom host/hostess. If you choose to, you can also slip in some additional cash to reward exceptional service. You can even pay all your gratuities in cash if you choose to by visiting guest services onboard.
What's Not Included in Prepaid Gratuities? Prepaid gratuities are split between the cast members mentioned above. For spa services, salon services, deck service, and bar service, an automatic 18% gratuity is added to your onboard account. For luggage services, room service delivery, and excursion guides, tips are typically provided in cash and the amounts are at your discretion. I recommend $1 per item for room service deliver and $2-$5 per bag for luggage services.
Conclusion Tipping on a Disney Cruise is a way of acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the cast members who contribute to your memorable vacation. Now that you understand how this process works with DCL, you can set sail with the confidence that your gratitude for outstanding service is conveyed in a thoughtful and respectful manner. Bon voyage to a magical experience filled with memories that will last a lifetime!
Did you find this post helpful? Would you like personalized advice on your Disney Cruise? My planning services are free of charge when you book your cruise through me at the same price you would pay to book it on Disney Cruise Line's website! Reach out here for a free, no obligation quote today! Already booked? Your booking may be eligible for a transfer! Reach out via email at ginger@marvelousmousetravels.com and I will work with you to verify eligibility. Let's set sail!
