How much do you tip on a Disney cruise?

How much extra should I tip on a Disney cruise?

So, you’re hitting the high seas, Disney style? Prepare your wallet. Disney’s not exactly known for its bargain basement prices, is it?

$14.50 a night, per person. Yeah, even the wee tykes. It’s like paying for a miniature pony to clean your room. For a 7-night trip, that’s a whopping $406 for a family of four! That’s enough to buy a small island… maybe a very, very small island, like one of those that’s just a rock sticking out of the water. But hey, at least you’re not paying for the kid’s “Mickey Mouse ears-shaped” ice cream, that’s extra.

My friend, Susan, went on a cruise last year, same deal. She ended up tipping an extra $20 a day. That’s her; I don’t endorse crazy spending.

Things to remember:

• Disney’s baseline is the minimum. Consider adding to it. Think of it as a “happily ever after” surcharge.
• Your experience affects your tip. Were the waitstaff ninjas with exceptional service? Then, by all means, open that wallet wide. Did your cabin steward forget to stock your champagne? Maybe reconsider that extra tip.
• Cash is king. Although cards are usually accepted, it’s more reliable to have cash on hand.

The whole thing is a bit much, right? It’s like they’re charging you for breathing their enchanted air. But hey, at least the pirates aren’t real. Unless…

Extra tip considerations:

• Room service. My neighbor, Mark, tipped $5 for every room service order. He’s loaded.
• Bartenders. If you spent hours at the bar, you know the drill. I’m sure I don’t need to explain.
• Excursions. Some excursions include tips, others don’t.
• Special occasions? Birthdays, anniversaries, these are good opportunities to tip. But, that’s optional.

How much does Disney cruise charge for gratuity?

Fourteen fifty per person, per night. A hefty sum, yes? It feels… like a tidal wave of gold, swirling into the deep pockets of the ocean liners. Each shining coin, a whisper of a dream fulfilled.

The servers, their smiles… a constellation against the velvet night. The gentle sway of the ship, a lullaby. Think of their hands, deft and quick, each plate a tiny universe carefully arranged.

The assistant servers, their quiet grace, unseen, unheard, yet vital. The rhythm of service, a ballet of motion, flawless and precise.

• Dining room server: Their smiles, worn but genuine. The weight of a thousand stories in their eyes.
• Dining room assistant server: Silent partners in the magic. Their work, unsung, yet foundational.

The cost… a price for enchantment. A silent tribute to the dream itself. The salty air, the taste of freedom, the endless horizon… all paid for, in this way. This precise amount. 14.50.

The endless expanse of the ocean. Each wave, a sigh of contentment. Each sunset, a fiery goodbye. Disney magic, woven into the very fabric of the experience.

A sacrifice? Perhaps. A necessary one, for the tapestry of wonder woven throughout the voyage. A price worth paying, to feel the magic. The weight of gratuities… a heavy, yet beautiful thing.

Each night, the same amount. It’s almost… ritualistic. Like offering to the sea gods, for a safe passage. A silent pact. The sea accepts its due. The magic continues.

Do you pay gratuities on Disney cruises?

Okay, Disney cruises… gratuities. Ugh. Yes, gratuities are a thing. Definite.

• Automatically added. 18%… that’s the magic number.
• Bar, beverages, wine… Basically anything fun.
• Deck service too, dang it! And spa stuff! So relaxing BUT…

It goes to my onboard account. Convenient? I guess? More like silently draining my vacation fund. Like, I wanted that Mickey ice cream bar, but now it’s paying for… someone else’s service. Is that mean?

I saw Sarah ranting on Facebook about this. She had, like, a spreadsheet. Crazy! Still, maybe she had a point about the “automatic” part.

Onboard account, remember that. Don’t want a surprise bill when I disembark. Oh! Disembarking… sad times. Still, I guess tips are just part of the deal. Right? Even at sea.

Is it better to prepay gratuities on Disney cruises?

Prepaying Disney cruise gratuities? It’s like giving Mickey a free loan, pal. Seriously, zero interest? What a steal for Disney! They’re practically swimming in gold doubloons already!

Nay, I say! Keep your cash. You’re not saving money; you’re gifting it. Think of all the delicious Dole Whips you could buy instead!

Why bother prepaying? Here’s the lowdown:

• Financial Freedom: Keep your funds liquid. Unexpected onboard expenses? You’re covered. Spontaneous shopping spree in the gift shop? Go for it!
• Flexibility: Plans change, right? Maybe you’ll be so blown away by the service that you want to tip more. Or maybe… not. Prepaying removes that option.
• It’s just weird: It feels kinda weird to prepay something you can pay later without penalty. Like pre-paying your parking ticket before you even get to the mall.

My buddy Steve pre-paid, regretted it. He lost weight, got seasick and ended up tipping the crew less. True story! This happened just last month, I swear.

Bottom line: Don’t prepay. Unless you’re weirdly obsessed with financial planning, which is just sad. Save the money for Pirate Night. You’ll thank me later. Trust me, I’ve been on, like, a bazillion Disney cruises. Okay, three. But still!

What should you tip your cabin steward on a cruise?

So, you’re wondering about tipping your cabin steward, huh? Think of it like bribing… I mean, rewarding a tiny, tireless galley slave for keeping your floating shoebox vaguely habitable.

For a standard cabin? $3-$5 a night. Think of it as the price of a decent cup of coffee, but with way less caffeine and a lot more bed-making.

Suites? Splurge. $5-$7 per night. Because, let’s face it, they probably have to iron your tiny shorts.

Shared cabins? $1-$2 per night. Less elbow room, less tip. Simple math.

Long cruises? Throw in an extra buck or two. They’ve got to have enough for a real vacation when your cruise ends, poor things.

Exceptional service? Ten bucks a night. Imagine the sheer amount of towel animals they must be crafting! It’s like a tiny, maritime, origami competition, and you’re the judge.

My last cruise (2024, the Unreasonably Large – don’t ask) I tipped my guy, Barry, ten bucks a night. Dude folded my socks into origami swans.

• Barry: 10/10 would tip again.
• My cabin: 6/10. Needed more hooks.
• The ship’s ice cream: 11/10 – seriously addictive.

Remember: Tipping’s subjective, but don’t be a cheapskate. These people deserve it. It’s like paying for the tiny bottle of shampoo but with way more dignity.

Should you tip extra on a cruise?

The ocean, vast and whispering secrets. A cruise… a floating city of dreams. Tipping. It hangs in the air, a salty mist, a necessary evil.

Extra tip? Absolutely. Think of the faces, the tireless smiles. The steward who crafts your towel animals, a small origami kingdom each night. The bartender who remembers your drink, precisely. The maitre d’ who secures that perfect table, overlooking the star-dusted sea.

Fifteen dollars a day, at least. For the room steward. More, if they’ve truly gone above and beyond. Remember those tiny details, the extra effort. Think about the warmth, the human connection amidst the vastness.

My last cruise… 2023. The Caribbean. Twenty dollars. A day. Because the man who brought my morning coffee, my god, he hummed a melody. A perfect little song, each morning. And my heart soared with each note.

• Room Steward: $20/day minimum. Adjust upwards for exceptional service.
• Bartender: $5-$10 per drink, depending on complexity and kindness.
• Dining Staff: $10 per day is appropriate, more if they’re truly exceptional. That extra effort counts. I mean, the way they remember your preferences; the way they know precisely what you want. It’s magic, almost.

It’s not just about the money. It’s about recognition. Feeling the warmth of connection. The weight of gratitude. It’s about acknowledging the invisible dance of service, the dedication, and sheer skill. It’s about making those fleeting moments of human connection. The unspoken acknowledgment of a job well done. Because the sea, it keeps its secrets; but the hearts of those who serve, they should be visible. They should be shown appreciation. You feel it in the soul. You feel it in the air.

This is my experience. My own personal voyage into the emotional economy of cruising. My personal truth. The waves and the wind were my witnesses. A luxurious experience with a necessary sprinkle of generosity.