Are you confused about tipping on a Disney Cruise. When you book a Disney cruise the price does not include tips, but some guests find the tipping system is confusing.
It really is easy once you know how! Just follow our simple Disney Cruise Tip Calculator Guide and you will soon know what is expected about tipping on a Disney Cruise.
Who Do You Tip on a Disney Cruise?
There are a number of different people you are expected to tip on a Disney Cruise.
Firstly there are the automatic gratuities which will be added do your cruise account. You can change these either up or down if you wish, by visiting Guest Services.
The automatic gratuities on a Disney Cruise are given to these people.
- Server. This is the main server in your rotational dining restaurant.
- Assistant Server. This is the person who will get your drinks and assist your main server.
- Head Server. In each rotational dining restaurant, there are 4 head servers. You will be assigned one who will make sure you are happy with your dining experience overall. If you have any issues then always talk to them – they can usually resolve any concerns or special requests you may have.
- Stateroom Host. This is the person who cleans your stateroom every day. The one who never seems to stop working and always has a wonderful towel animal waiting for you every evening.
Here is your easy Disney Cruise Tip Calculator.
3 Nights | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | 6 Nights | 7 Nights | |
Server | $13.50 | $18 | $22.50 | $27 | $31.50 |
Assistant Server | $10.50 | $14 | $17.50 | $21 | $24.50 |
Head Server | $3 | $4 | $5 | $6 | $7 |
Stateroom Host | $13.50 | $18 | $22.50 | $27 | $31.50 |
Total | $40.50 | $54 | $67.50 | $81 | $94.50 |
You pay these amounts for all guests. It doesn’t matter if your family member is 6 months old or 100. The standard tip is applicable. These people work incredibly hard.
You can adjust your tips, but if you think you want to reduce it. think really carefully. If you are reducing it because there has been an issue, did you try and get it resolved?
In the dining room, the Head Server is always happy to help, so if there is a problem, he should be able to help.
On the last day of your Disney cruise, you can see all your stateroom charges on your account. This will include the automatic gratuities unless you have already prepaid them.
Your Stateroom Steward will leave some envelopes in your room. These are for your Server, Assistant Server, Head Server, and Room Steward.
Along with the envelopes, you will have a sheet of card which shows how much is going to each person. You can use these to put them in the envelopes to give to each person. You can also use them to put additional cash in to give to your team as well.
You do not have to use the envelopes at all unless you want to.
To explain more about getting off the ship at the end of your cruise you can see this Disney Cruise Disembarkation article.
Gratuities in the Spa
This is the one area which even I, after so many cruises, tend to forget about. Don’t make the mistake of just seeing the headline rate for a spa treatment and thinking it’s what you pay.
There will be an automatic 18% gratuity added to all spa treatments. I get it for most things, clearly there is a large service element in a spa treatment.
However, I am never pleased when I realize I am being charged a gratuity on a Rainforest Pass. There is no element of service in this concept – unless you count them handing you your wrist band when you check-in!
Gratuities on Drinks
Many of the drinks are free on a Disney Cruise. However, for any drink an automatic 15% tip will be added. You can adjust this up or down.
Whilst you won’t be charged an automatic tip if you book a Beverage Tasting, it is customary to leave one. It is suggested that you leave at least 15%.
Disney Room Service Tips
Most of the items on the Disney Cruise Room Service Menu are free. However, you should give a tip to the person who delivers the food to your stateroom.
This is the only time when you can use cash on a Disney Cruise. For everything else, things are just put onto your account. However, the Cast Members who deliver your food will either take cash or you can fill in the amount on the delivery slip they bring. Usually around $1 per plate is the suggested amount.
JOIN THE DISNEY CRUISE GROUP FOR TIPS, SECRETS AND GIVEAWAYS
Palo and Remy Gratuities
The adult restaurants Palo and Remy have an additional charge. It is traditional to leave a tip for your server at the adult restaurants.
The servers are exceptional in these Disney Cruise Restaurants. The suggested amount is an additional 18%. You will be given a slip to sign and you can write the tip in there. It will then be charged to your onboard account.
How Much Should I Tip Disney Cruise Concierge?
Whilst there is no automatic gratuity charged for the concierge if you are staying in Disney Cruise Concierge, it is customary to leave a tip.
The standard of service of the Disney Cruise Concierge team is extremely high – it is up to you to decide how much to tip, There really isn’t a standard amount.
Don’t Tip These People on a Disney Cruise
There are 2 categories of Cast Members who expressly are prohibited from receiving tips from guests.
- Kids Club and Nursery Staff are not permitted to accept tips or gifts
- Bibbidi Boppidi Boo Staff are not permitted to accept tips or gifts
How are Tips Charged at the End of Your Cruise?
Everything is added to your Disney Cruise account. You can keep checking this using your Disney Cruise Navigator. You can also get a print out at any time from Guest Services.
On the final day of your cruise you should check your account (ideally check every day as mistakes do happen and are easier to see if you do one day at a time).
The automatic gratuities will be shown on your account for each person in your stateroom.
On the final evening, your Stateroom Steward will leave some envelopes in your room. These are for your Server, Assistant Server, Head Server, and Room Steward.
Along with the envelopes, you will have a sheet of card which shows how much is going to each person. You can use these to put them in the envelopes to give to each person.
You can also use them to put additional cash in to give to your team as well. Or you can go to Guest Services to have the amount changed on the card if you want to leave an extra amount.
You do not have to use the envelopes at all unless you want to.
If you need to visit Guest Services try to do it as early as you can on your last day. The lines at Guest Services will be longest during the dinner times on the last day – everyone tends to leave it to the last moment to deal with things!
To explain more about getting off the ship at the end of your cruise you can see this Disney Cruise Disembarkation article.
Do you have any questions about tipping on a Disney Cruise?
Join my Disney Cruise Group for exclusive Tips and Free Giveaways!
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.