Gratuities Are Not Included in Your Disney Cruise Fare
Disney cruise fares do not include gratuities. You will be charged separately for tips, either during your cruise or before you board. Disney calls these charges "gratuities," and they are added to your onboard account automatically unless you adjust them ahead of time.
The daily gratuity amount depends on your cabin type. Disney sets standard amounts per person per night, and these charges appear on your final bill. You can change the amounts, remove them entirely, or add more—but the default is that they will be charged.
Key Takeaways
- Disney automatically adds daily gratuities to your onboard account at a standard rate per person per night, unless you change this before boarding.
- The daily rate varies by cabin category: inside cabins, oceanview cabins, and suites each have different standard amounts.
- You can adjust, remove, or increase gratuities through your Disney Cruise Line account online before your sailing date.
- If you do not change the gratuities before boarding, you can still modify them at Guest Services on the ship during your cruise.
- Gratuities cover housekeeping, dining staff, and other crew members who provide direct service to your cabin and at meals.
Standard Daily Gratuity Amounts by Cabin Type
Disney sets different daily gratuity rates depending on where you are staying. As of the most recent published rates, inside cabins and oceanview cabins have the same standard amount per adult and per child. Suites carry a higher daily rate because suite guests receive more personalized service.
These amounts are per person per night. If you are sailing for seven nights with two adults and one child in an inside cabin, the total gratuity charge will be the daily rate multiplied by seven nights, multiplied by three people. Disney publishes current rates on its website, and rates may change seasonally or by ship.
The standard amounts are intended to cover your stateroom attendant, dining room server, assistant server, and head server. If you use other services—such as room service, spa treatments, or specialty dining—those may have separate gratuity suggestions or automatic charges depending on how you pay.
How to Change Gratuities Before You Board
Log into your Disney Cruise Line account at least a few days before your sailing date. Go to your reservation, find the "Onboard Account" or "Charges" section, and look for the gratuities line item. You will see the default amount Disney has assigned based on your cabin type and party size.
Click on the gratuities amount to edit it. You can lower it, raise it, or set it to zero. Disney will accept any amount you enter. Once you save your changes, they will be reflected on your final bill. If you make changes close to your sailing date, call Disney Cruise Line directly to confirm the change went through, because the system sometimes does not update in time.
If you forget to change gratuities online, you can still do it on the ship. Visit Guest Services on your first day aboard and ask to adjust your onboard account. A crew member will help you modify the amount, and the change will appear on your final bill when you check out.
Gratuities Charged During Your Cruise
The gratuity amount you set (or the default amount if you did not change it) is charged to your onboard account each night of your cruise. You will not see a separate charge each day, but the total will accumulate and appear on your final bill when you leave the ship.
Your onboard account is linked to your room key card. Any charges you make—meals at specialty restaurants, drinks, spa services, merchandise—are added to this same account. On your last night, you will receive a printed bill in your cabin showing all charges, including gratuities.
You can pay your final bill with a credit card, debit card, or Disney Vacation Club points if you have them. Disney does not require cash payment, though you can pay in cash if you prefer.
What Gratuities Cover and Do Not Cover
Standard gratuities cover the crew members who provide direct service to you and your cabin: your stateroom attendant, your dining room server, your assistant server, and your head server. These are the people you interact with most during your cruise.
Gratuities do not automatically cover specialty dining venues, room service, spa services, or other paid experiences. If you order room service, a gratuity may be automatically added to that charge, or you may be asked to tip separately. Specialty restaurants sometimes include gratuity in the per-person charge, and sometimes leave it separate—check your bill or ask when you book.
If you want to tip other crew members—such as your bartender, your activity staff, or your cabin steward for exceptional service—you can do that separately with cash or by adding charges to your onboard account at Guest Services.
Comparing Disney Gratuities to Other Cruise Lines
Most major cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, also add automatic daily gratuities to your onboard account. The amounts vary by cruise line and cabin type, but the structure is similar: a per-person, per-night charge that you can adjust before or during your cruise.
Some cruise lines include gratuities in the base fare, which means you pay more upfront but do not see a separate charge. Disney's model charges gratuities separately, which can make the final bill higher than the advertised fare. When comparing Disney cruises to other lines, factor in gratuities to see the true total cost.
Disney's gratuity rates are generally in line with industry standards, though the total amount you pay depends on your cabin type and cruise length. A seven-night cruise in a suite will have significantly higher gratuity charges than a three-night cruise in an inside cabin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove gratuities entirely?
Yes. You can set gratuities to zero online before your cruise or at Guest Services on the ship. Disney will not force you to pay gratuities, though crew members depend on them as part of their compensation. Removing gratuities is your choice, but it may affect the service you receive.
Do I have to tip the same amount for all crew members?
The automatic gratuity is a single daily charge that covers multiple crew members. You cannot split it by person through the onboard account system. If you want to tip some crew members more than others, you can add extra gratuities at Guest Services or give cash directly to individual crew members.
What if I have a problem with my server or stateroom attendant?
You can adjust gratuities for specific crew members at Guest Services. Explain the issue, and a manager can reduce or remove the gratuity for that person. You can also request a different server or stateroom attendant if you are unhappy with the service.
Are gratuities included if I book a Disney Vacation Club package?
No. Even if you use Disney Vacation Club points to pay for your cruise, gratuities are charged separately and are not covered by your points. You will still see the standard daily gratuity charge on your onboard account.
Do children pay the same gratuity as adults?
No. Disney charges a lower daily gratuity rate for children than for adults. The exact amount depends on your cruise line and cabin type, but children's rates are typically about half the adult rate. Infants under age three usually do not incur a gratuity charge.