Disney Cruise Line Gratuities: First-Time Cruiser Tipping Guide
Disney Cruise Line gratuities can feel confusing the first time around, but they become much simpler once you understand which services are covered by standard gratuities and which are separate.
Gratuities are a meaningful way to recognize crew members who spend long periods away from home while working hard to make each family’s vacation feel special. Thoughtful recognition is one way to thank them for their care and service.
Quick Answer: Disney Cruise Line Gratuities
Disney Cruise Line currently recommends optional gratuities of $16 per guest, per night, including infants and children.
Concierge gratuities include the standard roles, plus the assistant stateroom host and Concierge Lounge team. Amounts and policies can change, so confirm current details before sailing.
For the latest recommended amounts and official policy details, review
Disney Cruise Line’s gratuities information.
Who Receives Disney Cruise Line Gratuities?
Standard Disney Cruise Line gratuities are distributed among four crew roles that care for your family throughout the cruise:
- Dining Room Server
- Assistant Dining Room Server
- Head Server
- Stateroom Host
How Are Disney Cruise Line Gratuities Added?
You may prepay optional gratuities before sailing. If you do not, the recommended amount is added to your onboard account.
Guest Services can help you adjust or remove optional gratuities while you are onboard.
Want to estimate your family’s gratuities?
Use our calculator to create a simple gratuity budget before you sail.
Use the Disney Cruise Tipping CalculatorWhy You See the Same Dining Team Each Night
Disney Cruise Line uses rotational dining, so your dining room server and assistant server move with you to each main dining restaurant. Over the course of the cruise, they get to know your family’s preferences, allergies, and routines.
Premium dining experiences, such as Palo, are separate from rotational dining and are not included in the standard gratuities.
What Happens on the Last Night?
On the final evening, Disney Cruise Line typically provides envelopes and printed gratuity vouchers for the crew members included in the standard gratuities.
Many guests bring the dining team’s envelopes to dinner on the final night to thank them in person. Your stateroom host’s envelope can be handed to them whenever you see them. A sincere thank-you is a lovely way to close out a week of thoughtful service, towel animals, and tidying up after busy vacation days.
Raúl’s planning tip: Whether I am staying in Concierge or a standard stateroom, I try to visit Guest Services—or the Concierge Lounge—soon after receiving the gratuity vouchers. It helps me avoid the longer lines that often form on the final day, when many Guests are also settling questions on their onboard accounts.
Can You Change the Amount?
Yes. Visit Guest Services if you would like to adjust the recommended gratuity amount. You can also add an extra cash tip when someone provides exceptional service. If something is not meeting expectations, speak with Guest Services as soon as possible so there is time to help resolve it during your cruise.
I also make sure to recognize crew members outside my regular dining team when they go above and beyond. Being able to personally thank them and add an extra gratuity is one of my favorite ways to show appreciation.
What Do Disney Cruise Line Gratuities Not Include?
Separate gratuities may apply or be customary for:
Adult & Premium Dining
Palo and other adult or premium dining experiences are not included in standard Disney Cruise Line gratuities.Room Service
Room-service gratuities are separate and are at your discretion.Port Adventures
Tips for excursion operators, guides, and drivers are separate from your standard onboard gratuities.Senses Spa & Salon
Spa and salon services are separate; Disney Cruise Line adds an automatic gratuity to these charges.Food & Beverage Purchases
Additional drinks and certain food purchases are not included in standard gratuities. An automatic gratuity applies to eligible bar and beverage charges.Porters & Transportation
Plan for separate tips for luggage porters and transportation providers before or after your cruise.
A Note About Kids’ Clubs and Other Cast Members
Some Cast Members may not be able to accept cash tips. When someone makes your vacation especially memorable, recognize them by name on the end-of-cruise comment card or share the compliment with Guest Services.
Specific recognition can be incredibly meaningful.
A Simple Disney Cruise Gratuities Strategy
- Build gratuities into your budget before you sail. Disney Cruise Line currently recommends $16 per guest, per night for standard staterooms.
- Decide whether to prepay gratuities or have the recommended amount added to your onboard account.
- Review your gratuity vouchers early. Visit Guest Services—or the Concierge Lounge, if applicable—before the final-day lines get busy.
- Keep some extra room in your budget for separate services, such as room service, Port Adventures, porters, and premium dining.
- Recognize exceptional service personally. You can add an extra gratuity or mention a Cast Member by name in your comment card or at Guest Services.
Our Best First-Time Cruiser Tip
Budget for gratuities before you sail so they do not feel like a surprise at the end of your vacation. Then focus on enjoying the people who help make your cruise special.
There is no additional cost to request a quote or book with us.
