If you’re taking a Disney cruise, you can pay all your tips before boarding through the Disney Cruise Line prepaid gratuities system.
This prepaid setup makes it so that tips and other similar costs don’t get added to your onboard tab.
By paying gratuities before boarding, you can better plan your budget and avoid excess charges at the end of your cruise.
Here’s what you need to know about this system.
How Disney Cruise Line Prepaid Gratuities Work
Gratuities on a Disney cruise go to the crew members who serve you during your trip.
These include your dining team and your stateroom host.
If you prepay gratuities, the total amount is added to your booking before your cruise begins.
This amount is then given to the crew at the end of the trip.
If you don’t prepay gratuities, the same amount will be automatically charged to your onboard account instead.
This means you’ll owe the cruise line
How Much Are Disney Cruise Line Prepaid Gratuities?
As of January 2025, Disney Cruise Line prepaid gratuities are set at:
- $16.00 per person, per night for regular staterooms
- $27.25 per person, per night for concierge staterooms
These amounts apply to every guest in the stateroom, including kids.
For example, if you are a family of four in a regular stateroom on a 7-night cruise, your total gratuities would be:
- $16.00 x 4 guests x 7 nights = $448.00
Ultimately, you can still choose to prepay this amount before the cruise or let Disney charge it to your onboard account so you can pay after.
Who Gets the Disney Cruise Line Prepaid Gratuities?
Your gratuity payments are shared among four main crew members who take care of you during your Disney cruise:
- Dining Room Server – Your main server at dinner
- Dining Room Assistant Server – Handles drinks and extra service
- Dining Room Head Server – Oversees your dining experience
- Stateroom Host/Hostess – Cleans and prepares your room each day
If you stay in a concierge stateroom, part of your higher gratuity rate goes to extra staff, including:
- Concierge Lounge Team
- Assistant Stateroom Host
How to Prepay Gratuities on a Disney Cruise
If you choose to prepay gratuities, you can do so before your cruise by either:
- The Disney Cruise Line website
- A travel agent or travel advisor
Prepay Gratuities Through the Disney Cruise Line Website:
- Log in to your Disney Cruise Line account
- Go to your reservation details
- Select the option to prepay gratuities
- Make the payment before the deadline
Prepaid gratuities must be arranged at least three days before sailing.
If you don’t prepay, the charges will be added to your onboard account during the cruise.
If you book your Disney cruise through a travel agent or advisor, they can handle your prepaid gratuities for you.
A lot of passengers choose this option for convenience.
Can You Change Your Gratuities After Prepaying?
Some passengers choose to tip extra for excellent service once onboard.
Fortunately, Disney Cruise Line allows passengers to increase gratuities even after they’ve paid the initial amount.
This ensures that the right people get rewarded for going the extra mile.
If you wish to add to the gratuity amount you already prepaid, you can visit Guest Services once on the ship.
Here, you can:
- Request an increase on your onboard account
- Give extra cash tips to crew members
But what if you didn’t have a stellar experience with the staff and crew?
In these cases, passengers have the right to request that their gratuities be adjusted accordingly.
If you feel strongly enough about it, you can speak to Guest Services as well to request a reduction or adjustment to the amount you prepaid.
Are There Discounts for Prepaid Gratuities?
Disney Cruise Line prepaid gratuities are fixed amounts that passengers are required to pay.
They’re also given directly to the service staff and crew onboard the cruise.
Because of this, Disney Cruise Line cannot offer discounts on them.
Do note that the prepaid rate is the same as the onboard rate, too.
So you won’t save money on gratuities by paying early.
You’re simply making it easier to streamline your cruise expenses.
However, if Disney increases gratuities after you prepay, you won’t have to pay the higher amount.
Extra Tips on a Disney Cruise
Disney Cruise Line prepaid gratuities cover dining and housekeeping, but some services require separate tips.
Possible Additional Gratuity Costs
If you order room service, note that tips and/or service charges aren’t included in the bill.
Ergo, small cash tips would be appreciated.
Dining in Adult Dining restaurants like Palo, Remy, and Enchanté will net an 18% gratuity charge for any drinks you order (but not the food).
In fact, if you order drinks at a bar, an 18% gratuity is automatically added.
An 18% gratuity fee is also added to your total if you partake of the onboard spa services.
If you go on port adventures or shore excursions, it’s highly encouraged to tip the tour guides and drivers.
And, lastly, if a crew member goes above and beyond, you can always tip extra in cash.
Pros and Cons of Prepaid Gratuities
Pros
- Easier Budgeting – No surprise charges at the end of your cruise
- Locks in the Current Rate – You won’t pay more if gratuities increase later
- Less to Worry About – Your gratuities are already covered
Cons
- No Discount – Prepaying doesn’t save money
- Less Flexibility – You must adjust gratuities later if you want to tip differently
- Non-Refundable – If you cancel, gratuities are refunded only if the cruise is canceled
Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Disney Cruise?
Is it worth prepaying gratuities on a Disney cruise?
The answer depends on personal preference, really.
If you want to avoid extra charges at the end of your trip, prepaying the gratuities is a smart option.
But if you prefer more flexibility, you may want to pay onboard instead.
Either way, gratuities help reward hard-working Disney crew members who make your cruise special.
Let Travel by Maeghan Handle Your Prepaid Gratuities
Planning a Disney cruise should be fun, not overwhelming.
At Travel by Maeghan, I can handle prepaying your gratuities to help make your cruise budget more streamlined and manageable.
I can offer expert advice on the Disney Cruise Line prepaid gratuities policies.
On top of that, I can help you choose the best cruise to suit your preferences, provide guidance on shore excursions and onboard dining, and act as personal support before, during, and after your cruise.
I specialize in family-friendly travel and know how to make your trip smooth and stress-free.
Contact me today to start planning your dream Disney cruise!