Disney Cruise Line Raises Recommended Gratuities: What You Need to Know

Disney Cruise Line has announced an increase in its recommended daily gratuity amount on its official website. Starting now, the cruise line recommends a gratuity of $16.00 USD per night for each guest, including infants and children.

This change marks a notable increase from the previous recommendation of $14.50 per day for each guest.

Understanding Gratuities on Disney Cruises

The gratuities are meant to compensate essential staff, including dining room servers, assistants, head servers, and stateroom hosts. According to Disney Cruise Line, these pre-paid gratuities are intended to ensure that guests can enjoy their cruise experience without worrying about tipping during their stay.

Additional Service Charges Explained

It’s important to note that the recommended gratuities do not cover tips for certain services. For instance, room service, specialty dining, spa treatments, and other additional services incur separate charges. For beverage, deck service tabs, and spa services, an 18% gratuity will automatically be added.

Gratuities for Concierge Guests

For those staying in concierge staterooms and suites, the recommended gratuity is set at $27.75 per night per guest. This amount includes gratuity for the assistant stateroom host assigned to concierge accommodations, as well as the Concierge Lounge team members.

Previously, the recommended gratuity for these special accommodations was $23.50 per night.

Optional Gratuity Adjustments

Disney Cruise Line emphasizes that these gratuities are optional. Guests can opt to modify or remove the gratuities from their bills by visiting guest services. An important note is that requests to refund pre-paid optional gratuities must be processed back to the original form of payment, which might include payments made through a travel agent.

A Brief History of Disney Cruise Line

Founded in 1995, Disney Cruise Line currently operates six ships. The newest addition to the fleet, the Disney Treasure, began her maiden voyage on December 21, 2024.

Comparative Gratuity Practices in the Cruise Industry

Gratuities on cruise lines are common, and first-time cruisers may be surprised by the extra costs associated. According to travel experts at The Points Guy, some lines charge as much as $25 per day in automatic gratuities.

Disney’s new recommended gratuity of $16 aligns with several other cruise lines. For instance, Carnival Cruise Line also sets its gratuity at $16, while Royal Caribbean suggests $18.50 and Norwegian Cruise Line at $20.

Interestingly, some cruise lines choose not to implement a recommended gratuity, instead incorporating these costs into their fare structure. Notable cruise lines that follow this practice include Azamara, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises, and Virgin Voyages.

Final Thoughts on Gratuity Changes at Disney Cruise Line

In summary, the recent increase in recommended gratuities by Disney Cruise Line reflects adjustments in service expectations and industry standards. Travelers planning a Disney cruise should prepare accordingly and factor these changes into their budgeting. Understanding the breakdown of service charges can lead to a more enjoyable and stress-free experience on the high seas.