Welcome to planDisney, Larry!
Thanks for sailing by with your Disney Cruise Line question. I'm happy to help shed some light on everything included in your cruise fare and how you can simplify your experience ahead of time.
When it comes to gratuities, you have a few options, but they are not included in your actual cruise fare. I'm guessing the confusion might be that you can pre-pay your gratuities by signing into My Reservations on the Disney Cruise Line website. This simplifies your planning by adding the total suggested amount of gratuity (currently $14.50 per night, per stateroom Guest, including children and infants) for each of the Crew Members who will assist you each day of your voyage:
- Rotational Dining server
- Rotational Dining assistant server
- Rotational Dining head server
- Stateroom host
If you choose not to pre-pay, the suggested amount is automatically added to your stateroom folio and charged on the final night of your cruise. Once onboard, if you would like to add to the suggested amount (even if you pre-pay) you may stop by the
Guest Services desk and have any amount you choose added or you can tip in cash using the envelopes placed in your stateroom for this purpose. If for some reason the service you received did not meet your expectations, you should stop by Guest Services, too. In all my cruises service has always exceeded my expectations so I'm hopeful you don't need to have that conversation.
Of course, there are other Crew Members who will be a part of your cruise experience, so I encourage you to show your appreciation for their great service. For instance, the one who delivers
Room Service to your stateroom, the service team at adult dining locations, and
Port Adventure guides. Gratuities for these services are not included and are up to your discretion. If you order one of the many complimentary items from Room Service or to show your appreciation to your Port Adventure guide, you will want to bring cash for these tips.
If you indulge in
Senses Spa services or any bar service (including soft drinks which are otherwise complimentary in the Rotational Dining rooms, buffet-style venues, and at the Beverage Stations on the pool deck), wine or beer packages, alcoholic beverages with meals, an automatic gratuity of 18% (subject to change) is added and will be reflected in your stateroom folio. Most onboard activities, such as
Beverage Tastings have a gratuity included in the price of the event, but I usually stop by Guest Services and add a little extra!
Larry, if you are like me, you want to keep track of your spending even on vacation! While on the cruise, I like to view my stateroom folio of my current charges using the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. For 90 days after your cruise, you can view your folio on the Disney Cruise Line website. Just log into your account, and select
Castaway Club under the Already Booked tab.
I hope this information adds a little clarity, Larry. Stop by any time with other questions you may have!
Wishing you many magical memories,
Shannon