Hi Carol,
Welcome to planDisney and thank you so much for asking us a question about your upcoming Disney Cruise Line vacation.
Disney does things a little bit differently than many other cruise lines. First, you’ll be happy to know that, yes, it is absolutely possible to pre-pay your
gratuities ahead of time, but you can adjust those at any time by visiting the
Guest Services Desk on your cruise.
Wi-Fi packages are available for purchase onboard via the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App, either for a single day or for the length of your cruise. There are 3 different speeds to choose from, depending on your needs. I’ll admit that sometimes I have to work during my vacation (sigh) and I’m happy to say that the “Premium Surf” package has been quite reliable and quick, in my experience.
Finally, unlike other cruise lines, Disney doesn’t offer a pre-paid beverage package. Believe it or not, I actually think that it’s a good thing! First, most non-alcoholic beverages (with some exceptions like smoothies and other speciality beverages) are already included with your cruise fare, which means you don’t have to worry about paying for those during your voyage. Second, you can always pre-purchase a Wine Package as part of the
Onboard Gifts selection or during your dinner rotation to enjoy with your dinner. Third, Disney has a pretty generous
alcohol policy that allows Guests 21 years and older to bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne or 6 beers on board at the beginning of your voyage and at each port of call.
Finally, I’ve been lucky enough to cruise with several other cruise lines and I can tell you that the bartenders working at the
Nightclubs & Lounges aboard each and every Disney Ship are some of the best on both land AND sea. Their drinks are creative and use high quality ingredients, with a better and wider selection than you’ll find on some other ships. In short, I’ve really come to appreciate the lack of a dedicated drink package on my Disney Cruises because of the quality that I get in return.
Please don’t hesitate to come back and see us if you have any other questions!
Have a Magical Day,
Lynne