Ahoy, Tasha!
On a Disney Cruise Ship, you are pampered by many different people for the time you are there. From your room steward who brings fresh towels, makes your bed, and leaves chocolates on your pillow at night to the dining room serving team, everyone is there to make your cruise memorable and special. Just as you reward amazing service at a restaurant or salon with a generous tip, the same thing applies on a cruise.
There are recommended
amounts to tip each of the people who provide service to you on a daily basis. It works out to be $12 per person, per day of your cruise. So, for example, on a 7-Night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Disney Fantasy, a couple with 2 children can expect to pay $48 per night, or $336. This is the minimum amount recommended, usually our family adds in extra cash with that.
Your gratuities (or tips) will automatically be charged to your onboard account. If you would rather pay in cash, simply visit the Guest Services desk and ask them to please remove any gratuities. You will receive envelopes in your stateroom with each of the positions that you are asked to tip on them. These are Stateroom Host, Head Server, Dining Room Main Server, and Dining Room Assistant Server. We almost always bring these people something edible from home as well, typically candy, which is well-received and appreciated.
As far as other tips onboard, you can expect an 18% gratuity to be added to spa services, as well as drinks ordered from a bar. You can always add more to these amounts, if you wish. Also, if you choose to dine in Palo or Remy, a tip is appreciated, but there is no set amount.
I hope this helps you to understand the gratuities better! Please come back and visit the Disney Parks Moms Panel for further cruise planning tips and questions.
Happy Cruising, Tracy V.