Hello to you, Caitlin!
Welcome aboard planDisney, and thanks for bringing us such a thoughtful question about gratuities for special experiences onboard Disney Cruise Line. Your cruise is on the horizon, and I love that you’re thinking of ways to honor the special Cast Members who help us have such a magical vacation.
- All spa services will have an 18 percent gratuity added to the listed price of the treatment or service automatically. When you receive the receipt to sign at the conclusion of your spa visit, there is an opportunity to itemize additional gratuity for your spa attendant if desired.
- Adult-exclusive brunch at Remy, Palo, or Enchanté incurs a set per-person fee to which 18 percent gratuity is also added. When you receive the receipt to sign at the end of your meal, you may add additional gratuity for your adult-exclusive dining team if you wish.
- Beverage Tastings and Seminars include gratuity in the listed per-person price of the event. There is no receipt to sign at the end of these events, and the hosts or bartenders may not accept cash.
I can understand wanting to acknowledge a special Cast Member hosting a beverage seminar with tangible knowledge and passion, or anyone else who made your cruise especially wonderful. You may stop by the
Guest Services Desk (Deck 3 Atrium on all ships except the Disney Wish, Deck 4) at any time during your cruise to request that a specific Cast or Crew Member receive a tip. At that time, you may pay using a gift card, credit card, cash, or as a charge to your onboard account.
There is a process in place for
gratuities for your Stateroom Host and Dining Team. You may pay these in advance under your cruise reservation on either the
Disney Cruise Line website or the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App, or by
calling Disney Cruise Line before you sail. If not paid in advance, you will receive slips of paper for each individual and corresponding envelopes near the end of your cruise. You may then add gratuity to the standard per-person, per-night amounts to be charged to your onboard account or add cash to these envelopes. A common tradition is to hand the envelopes to these special teams the last night or departure morning of your cruise as you bid them farewell or hopefully say, “see ya real soon.”
On my last cruise, I wish I had brought more cash with me for additional gratuities both onboard and for our incredible local guides on Port Adventures. I learned that there are no ATMs onboard, but Guest Relations can cash a check you write to yourself. On my next cruise I plan to bring a check as a “just in case” measure so that I may appropriately recognize everyone who made our cruise so fantastic.
Thank you for asking about this personal but important aspect of your vacation! Please let us know how else we can help you have an amazing time.
YOU are the magic,
Amy