Disney Cruise Gratuities
Disney Cruise Line is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, top-notch entertainment, and exceptional customer service. However, one aspect of cruising that can sometimes cause confusion or uncertainty for guests is the topic of gratuities. While gratuities are customary in the cruise industry and are intended to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the crew, some guests may not be sure how much to tip or which crew members to tip. In this article, we will take a closer look at Disney Cruise Line gratuities, including how much to tip, which crew members to tip, and other helpful tips to ensure that your Disney Cruise vacation is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned veteran, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to navigate the world of Disney Cruise Line gratuities with ease.
Do you need to leave a gratuity on Disney Cruise Line?
Yes, gratuities are expected and are automatically charged to your on board account. Cruise tipping is common to most cruise lines, not just Disney.
Who do I need to tip?
You should tip the stateroom host (or hostess), head server, server, and assistant server.
If you booked a concierge level stateroom, while tips are not required they are expected. Tips here are at your discretion.
How much should I tip?
The recommended gratuity is $4.50 for the stateroom host, $1 for the head server, $4.50 for the server, and $3.50 for the assistant server per day and per person. This means that total Disney cruise tips per day are $13.50 per person.
This only applies if you are staying on the concierge level: If your stateroom is on the concierge level, you should tip the concierge hosts and bartender at your discretion. Be aware that many guests over tip, so tipping expectations are high. Guests regularly tip $100 per night to the concierge hosts and $50 to the bartender at the end of their cruise. Others tip $25 per night and leave $20 to the bartender on the last day. Frustratingly, Disney does not give tipping guidelines, perhaps because it encourages overtipping.
How do I pay for these tips?
There are two options to pay your Disney Cruise line gratuities.
- You can choose Disney Cruise prepaid gratuities. This allows you to prepay the gratuity in advance by contacting Disney Cruise Line or your travel agent no later than 3 days before your cruise begins. Keep in mind that you will be paying the suggested gratuities if you choose this option. This can be convenient but also could lead you to overpay for what turns out to be poor service.
- If you don’t prepay the gratuities before the cruise, Disney suggested gratuities will be automatically added to your on board cruise account. If you wish to change the tip amounts from the Disney suggested gratuities, you will need to visit the on board guest services desk to speak to a member of the service team.
Tip Calculator
Now that you know that gratuities are expected and how much you should tip each person per day, how about a Disney cruise tip calculator? TipWho’s very own interactive Disney Cruise Tip Calculator is below or at this link.