Starting with cruises departing from January 23, 2025, Disney Cruise Line is increasing its recommended gratuity rates, and while it’s a slight bump, it’s one that brings them in line with the industry standard. Here’s everything you need to know about the changes, how gratuities work on Disney ships, and how this compares to other cruise lines.
What’s Changing?
Disney Cruise Line’s base recommended gratuity is now $16 per person, per night, up from $14.50. This applies to all stateroom guests, including infants and children. For those staying in Concierge Staterooms or Suites, the new recommended gratuity is $27.25 per night, per guest, up from $23.50.
Gratuities are divided among the crew members who work tirelessly to make your vacation magical, including:
- Your Dining Room Server, who ensures you’re well-fed and happy during your meals.
- The Assistant Server, who helps keep those drinks flowing and meals running smoothly.
- The Head Server, who oversees your dining experience.
- Your Stateroom Host, who keeps your room clean and sprinkled with a little Disney magic (like those famous towel animals).
For Concierge guests, gratuities also cover the Assistant Stateroom Host and the Concierge Lounge team.
Why the Increase?
The increase reflects both the rising costs of providing exceptional service and the hard work of Disney’s crew members. These are the people who go above and beyond to make sure your Disney cruise is nothing short of magical.
Even with the increase, Disney’s gratuity rates are still in line with the industry. Here’s how they stack up based on standard staterooms:
- Disney Cruise Line: $16 per guest, per night.
- Carnival Cruise Line: $16 per guest, per night.
- Royal Caribbean: $18.50 per guest, per night.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: $20 per guest, per night.
So while Disney’s new rate matches Carnival, it’s still a bit more budget-friendly compared to Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.
How to Handle Gratuities
Disney Cruise Line offers several easy options to take care of gratuities so you can focus on enjoying your cruise:
- Pre-Paid Gratuities: Before setting sail, you can pre-pay gratuities through your Disney account. This is the most hassle-free way to handle it.
- Onboard Account: If you don’t pre-pay, the suggested gratuity will be automatically added to your onboard account. You can adjust or remove it by visiting Guest Services during your cruise.
- Adjustments: Pre-paid gratuities can be refunded in full if requested, but only to the original form of payment.
And remember, gratuities for extras like drinks, spa services, or specialty dining are not included in the pre-paid or recommended amounts. These incur an 18% gratuity that will be added to your onboard account.
Why Gratuities Matter
Gratuities are more than just a suggested tip; they’re an essential way to thank the crew for their outstanding service. Whether it’s the dining team who remembers your favorite dessert or the stateroom host who magically makes your room spotless every day, these team members work behind the scenes to make your trip unforgettable.
While any price increase can be a little surprising, Disney Cruise Line’s new gratuity rate is reasonable and competitive within the industry. For families, it’s good to know that even infants are included in the per-person calculation. So as you budget for your next Disney cruise, be sure to factor in gratuities—it’s a small price to pay for the incredible service you’ll receive on board.
Whether you pre-pay or handle it onboard, just know that these tips go a long way in thanking the cast and crew who make Disney cruises truly magical.