First time cruiser questions

[melissarose]

YAY! My boyfriend and I are leaving on our first Disney cruise on January 31. We just booked it a few days ago and now I have a lot of prepping to do and so many questions, mainly around tipping and additional costs. We've never been on a cruise before so we really have no idea how anything works, and while I've been browsing the forum for a few days I think I need some clarification on a few things! We want to make sure we understand and bring the appropriate amounts of money. We also don't want to double-tip, which I've read has happened to a lot of people, and we don't want to NOT tip when we are supposed to! We are worried about looking like total newbs!

1) I've read that there is automatic tips charged to your account for your head server, assistant server, server, and stateroom attendant, but I am wondering if I can get some clarity how this system works. Also, what is the difference between the three servers? Will I even see my head server? I know there is something about envelopes on the last night of the cruise, but I also thought that you were charged an automatic amount per person, so why would I need an envelope if I am already being charged and am not actually giving cash? I'm just confused about this whole envelope/cash/charged-to-room system!

2) Tipping for alcohol! Ok, so I've also read that there is an automatic 15% (I think that's the right amount, can't quite remember) gratuity added to alcohol. This leads me to believe I do not have to give a cash tip for alcohol? Is this correct, does this mean we are not expected to give an additional cash tip? Would our bill for the drink include the 15% and just be added to our stateroom account, or does it not include any tip and we are expected to leave a cash tip? Or does it include the 15% and we are still expected to give a tip on top of that in cash?

3) Cove Cafe - I watched a video that said that the food/pastries/desserts are included in your cruise package ("free"). Is this true? As far as coffees and speciality drinks, those you have to pay for, if I am understanding correct?! How does tipping work for these? Are you expected to tip? I assume you won't always be served by the same person if you are there multiple nights, so you would have to tip in cash, would you not?

4) Palo - $25 fee for dinner. Does this price include tax, or will there be tax on the $25? Very confused about how to tip here. I've read so much, from people saying a tip is included in the $25 price, and that people have left tips ranging from $10 pp to upwards of $100 pp!! How can there be such a wide variation? I am really unsure, and we do want to go to Palo, we just want to have an understanding of how much it is going to cost us in the end. We had originally thought it was too expensive for us, this time anyways (since we are both still students - not just cheap! lol), but then I read $25 plus a $10 tip and that seemed doable. Then I read $25 plus $50 tip and I thought that was a bit too much for us to afford on this trip.

5) Taxes! - So when we go to Disney World we know we are getting charged US and Florida tax on everything we buy, whether it is merchandise, food, or drinks. How does tax work on a cruise, if we buy souvenirs, or alcohol? Are we charged American tax because Disney is American, are we charged Bahamian tax because the boat is registered there? Is there no tax at sea? (lol) Just want to know that to expect!

My boyfriend is pretty practical and would like to have a good idea of what extra expenses we will encounter so that we can budget everything out before we go. Nothing he hates more than new, unknown expenses popping up all over the place.

I am sorry this is such a long, detailed post, but I know there are a lot of DCL experts out there who know this stuff like the back of their hand!

 

[jr4mni]

great list of questions! We are first timers and leaving on January 30th! Just booked New Years Eve! I am stalking your post to see the answers too!

 

[melissarose]

I have one more to add! I'm just wondering for anyone who has cruised recently, what are drink prices like, for beer and cocktails? I found an old menu from 2012 and they seemed really reasonable, so just wondering if much has changed! Hopefully we'll get lots of good answers jr4mni!

 

[kiford]

YAY! My boyfriend and I are leaving on our first Disney cruise on January 31. We just booked it a few days ago and now I have a lot of prepping to do and so many questions, mainly around tipping and additional costs. We've never been on a cruise before so we really have no idea how anything works, and while I've been browsing the forum for a few days I think I need some clarification on a few things! We want to make sure we understand and bring the appropriate amounts of money. We also don't want to double-tip, which I've read has happened to a lot of people, and we don't want to NOT tip when we are supposed to! We are worried about looking like total newbs!

1) I've read that there is automatic tips charged to your account for your head server, assistant server, server, and stateroom attendant, but I am wondering if I can get some clarity how this system works. Also, what is the difference between the three servers? Will I even see my head server? I know there is something about envelopes on the last night of the cruise, but I also thought that you were charged an automatic amount per person, so why would I need an envelope if I am already being charged and am not actually giving cash? I'm just confused about this whole envelope/cash/charged-to-room system!

>>>They charge your onboard account automatically and give you little cards and envelopes in your stateroom the last night. If you are OK with the amounts, you just put the card into the appropriate envelope and give the envelope to the right person. Even if you don't give it to them, they will get it in their account. You can go down to Guest Services and increase or decrease the amount if you like or add cash to the envelopes. We always put it on our account so that they get it whether we see them or not. It works out to $12/day/person. You may or may not see your head server but they do a lot of work behind the scenes. They are allotted $1/day/person (if you don't change the amount) and even if you don't see them, it is worth it as they make sure that their section of the dining room runs smoothly. If you have any concerns, complaints, issues or want changes, they are the one to speak to.

2) Tipping for alcohol! Ok, so I've also read that there is an automatic 15% (I think that's the right amount, can't quite remember) gratuity added to alcohol. This leads me to believe I do not have to give a cash tip for alcohol? Is this correct, does this mean we are not expected to give an additional cash tip? Would our bill for the drink include the 15% and just be added to our stateroom account, or does it not include any tip and we are expected to leave a cash tip? Or does it include the 15% and we are still expected to give a tip on top of that in cash?

>>They add the 15% tip to the bill which you sign. That amount goes to a pool that is shared amongst all bartenders. If you add an additional tip, it goes to the specific server or bartender. While it's not required, I always add an additional tip - it can be as small as $1. I guarantee that they will remember you. I've even had bartenders remember me between different cruises; whether that's due to the tip or not I don't know, but it costs so little for a multi-day cruise to add the odd dollar or two. If you are able to go to the same bartender, I guarantee it will probably work in your favour.

3) Cove Cafe - I watched a video that said that the food/pastries/desserts are included in your cruise package ("free"). Is this true? As far as coffees and speciality drinks, those you have to pay for, if I am understanding correct?! How does tipping work for these? Are you expected to tip? I assume you won't always be served by the same person if you are there multiple nights, so you would have to tip in cash, would you not?

>>Yes, the pastries or nibbles (they change from sweets to savouries closer to dinner - I wholeheartedly recommend the mini-eclairs) are free. You don't need to order anything to partake. If you buy the speciality coffees there, it is an additional cost (they range from capuccinos to Irish-type coffees). Make sure you get the bean card. After five purchases, you get the sixth one free. They aren't supposed to let you have a free alcoholic one for the sixth but I've had them allow us to do that (do the extra tips help???....). You aren't always served by the same person, but there are staff who are assigned to the Cove Cafe and we often get the same person. If you buy an alcoholic drink they will add the 15% to the bill and you just sign for it. You can also add an additional tip to it. My favourite is the mint mocha latte.

4) Palo - $25 fee for dinner. Does this price include tax, or will there be tax on the $25? Very confused about how to tip here. I've read so much, from people saying a tip is included in the $25 price, and that people have left tips ranging from $10 pp to upwards of $100 pp!! How can there be such a wide variation? I am really unsure, and we do want to go to Palo, we just want to have an understanding of how much it is going to cost us in the end. We had originally thought it was too expensive for us, this time anyways (since we are both still students - not just cheap! lol), but then I read $25 plus a $10 tip and that seemed doable. Then I read $25 plus $50 tip and I thought that was a bit too much for us to afford on this trip.

>>No, it's just $25 per person, no tax. There are very many different views on whether or not the $25 includes tip or not. We always add an additional tip that we consider to be commensurate with a tip that we would pay for an equivalent meal that we paid for on shore. However, there is no hard and fast rule - it's up to you. As much as I love Palo's, being that this is your first cruise, I might suggest that you skip it and just enjoy all of the nights at the main dining rooms and save Palo's for a future trip especially if you feel that the cost is a bit much. Once you've done the cruise and have experienced all of the nights at the MDR's, you can decide whether you prefer to miss one for Palo's.

5) Taxes! - So when we go to Disney World we know we are getting charged US and Florida tax on everything we buy, whether it is merchandise, food, or drinks. How does tax work on a cruise, if we buy souvenirs, or alcohol? Are we charged American tax because Disney is American, are we charged Bahamian tax because the boat is registered there? Is there no tax at sea? (lol) Just want to know that to expect!

>>No tax (at least not explicit - if it exists, it's included in the price) on the alcohol. The price is the price (plus the 15% tip).

My boyfriend is pretty practical and would like to have a good idea of what extra expenses we will encounter so that we can budget everything out before we go. Nothing he hates more than new, unknown expenses popping up all over the place.

I am sorry this is such a long, detailed post, but I know there are a lot of DCL experts out there who know this stuff like the back of their hand!

>>>Disney will walk you through the entire process of being on a cruise with lots of instructions, tips, information and guidance. Useful to know in advance what to expect so you can budget but we were clueless our first time and had absolutely no idea what to expect for anything and found DCL to be so helpful and friendly and stress-free as to what to do next. Just enjoy yourself and go with the flow!

 

[melissarose]

>>>Disney will walk you through the entire process of being on a cruise with lots of instructions, tips, information and guidance. Useful to know in advance what to expect so you can budget but we were clueless our first time and had absolutely no idea what to expect for anything and found DCL to be so helpful and friendly and stress-free as to what to do next. Just enjoy yourself and go with the flow!

Thank you so much for your response!

 

[jrabbit]

Taxes are included in the price of anything you buy from Disney onboard. On Castaway Cay it sounds like the Bahamas is adding a VAT (sales tax). I don't know how DCL will deal with this - if included in the price of things or as an addition.

Gratuities: HUGE TOPIC!!!
Part 1:in the simplest terms ... you will be automatically charged $12 per guest per night of your cruise. since there are two of you and I will assume a 4 night cruise the total charge will be $12 * 2 guests * 4 nights = $96. This amount is automatically broken up between the FOUR tipped positions: Head Server (Manager), Server (food), Assistant Server (drinks) and your Room Steward. The theory is IF everyone tips according to these guidelines, then these tips cover breakfast, lunch and dinner - and your room is kept VERY clean. On a daily basis it seems like a LOT but at the end of every cruise we increase everyone's tip somewhat (except for the Manager / Head Server). But Don't feel pressured to increase your tip just because I do.

Part 2: Tipping for drinks. I typically do not tip over the auto gratuity that is added to every beverage that you have to pay for. At dinner - I'm already going to be tipping the Assistant Server. He/She will get an increase at the end of the cruise if I order drinks more evenings than not and they keep my diet coke flowing. The servers up on deck or in the bars I do not give additional tip. If I have the same person waiting on me day after day up on deck (or in the bars) I will usually add some extra gratuity on my last drink with them -- but that's infrequently. On Castaway Cay if I'm out on the beach or in the water --- Yep, those guys get a big tip!!

Part 3: Palo - this is where you will see a wide range of gratuities - from Zero to $100. If you choose to go, consider giving a small tip (maybe total of $10 for the two of you). Again, it's up to you ... but after you experience the service, you usually want to tip more (and at this point in my life I am able to be generous - and more than happy to).

Part 4: Shore Excursions ... I still have issues with this sometimes - because sometimes there are so many people!! We usually will give $5 (total) to the "bus driver", and then depending upon what we are doing, and how good the guides are will will give between $5 and $15 per guest. And many times we have only tipped $5 or $10 for the four of us.

Part 5: Porters & Taxis - $1 - $2 per bag. Room Service on the ship: $1 - $5 per delivery

[end of gratuities --- finally!]

Cash: No need for cash on the ship - its a cashless society (mostly). But you still have to Pay Gratuities for the tipped positions and for the bartenders / drink servers can be / should be handled on the charge slips. Same with Palo. Room service can be added to a slip (but they don't always have them) but cash is an acceptable / reliable form of tipping. For the people off of the ship (porters, guides, drivers, etc) you will need cash. Most places they are more than happy to accept US Dollars.

Costs: Real, Imaginary and Discretionary:
The four tipped positions should be considered part of the cruise - and should be given to these hard working crew members. The cruise industry does not pay them (much). They work for the tips!
Additional tipping is totally up to what you want to give.
The reality is that between your cruise fare and the gratuities you've covered all of the amounts that you "have" to spend. The rest is discretionary.

A partial list of items that will add up (quickly)

• Shore Excursions booked through the cruise line - usually expensive (and safe)
• Pictures - buying the photos that the ship's photographers take add up fast. And they are usually hard to resist. The best way to avoid buying the pictures is to NOT go look at them after they've printed them up or put them into the computer. Doesn't work for us. One cruise we did that, and are actually sad that we don't have any ships pictures from the cruise.
• Drinks: Adult Beverages and Smoothies: Any drink in a bar (including soda) will cost you. Smoothies (milkshakes) also carry a charge (reasonable). Sodas in the dinning rooms at meals are free. The soda station up on the pool deck is free. Adult Drinks are never free. But the Drink of the Day and the nightly specials at dinner seem to be reasonably priced. They do have the $100 to $200 brandy / cognac available. Some really expensive wines too. If you go to Castaway Cay, note the "end of service" time for the bars. If you hit them before they close you can sometimes get a 2 for 1 deal.
• Snacks: outside the main theater (Walt Disney Theater) they sell popcorn, soda and "movie candies". I'm a big (very) guy and I cannot see spending anymore money on food and soda on board - I'm full!!
• Souvenirs: There a several gift shops on board and on Castaway Cay. Some inexpensive items and some VERY expensive items. If you start Pin Trading -- you will not beleive how fast you can spend money (but it's only $6!! ... over and over again ... Disney Loves It!)
• Spa: It sounds really nice to be pampered at sea, but man those prices are Insane compared to at home. Same with the Haircuts / Styling and mani/pedi.
• Mixology / Tasting Classes: Lots of fun and actually reasonably priced ... but again there's a cost involved.

Again this is not a complete list ... but it does include most of the "gotcha" expenses.

Remember if they take your card, you are going to be charged some amount (ie: Drinks at the Sail Away Party). The Exception to this rule is if the photographer takes your card - they are just recording which room number slot to put your pictures in.

One last thing ... and its a freebie: IF there is a Captain's Gala on your sailing, the drinks they are passing out in the atrium before dinner are free (adult and kids)

I just looked at your post again
Cove Cafe: Drinks in here have a cost - the treats in here are free and they are better than most desserts in the main dinning rooms.

 

[melissarose]

Wow, thanks for your response! So much helpful info, this is why I LOVE the DisBoards.

As for this

One last thing ... and its a freebie: IF there is a Captain's Gala on your sailing, the drinks they are passing out in the atrium before dinner are free (adult and kids)

What is a Captain's Gala, and how do I find out if there is one? Sounds AWESOME!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Wow, thanks for your response! So much helpful info, this is why I LOVE the DisBoards.

As for this

What is a Captain's Gala, and how do I find out if there is one? Sounds AWESOME!

Captain's Gala is a themed menu in the MDRs. It's typically on a semi-formal night on the longer (7 night) cruises.

 

[aboveH20]

Taxes are included in the price of anything you buy from Disney onboard. On Castaway Cay it sounds like the Bahamas is adding a VAT (sales tax). I don't know how DCL will deal with this - if included in the price of things or as an addition.

Gratuities: HUGE TOPIC!!!
Part 1:in the simplest terms ... you will be automatically charged $12 per guest per night of your cruise. since there are two of you and I will assume a 4 night cruise the total charge will be $12 * 2 guests * 4 nights = $96. This amount is automatically broken up between the FOUR tipped positions: Head Server (Manager), Server (food), Assistant Server (drinks) and your Room Steward. The theory is IF everyone tips according to these guidelines, then these tips cover breakfast, lunch and dinner - and your room is kept VERY clean. On a daily basis it seems like a LOT but at the end of every cruise we increase everyone's tip somewhat (except for the Manager / Head Server). But Don't feel pressured to increase your tip just because I do.

Part 2: Tipping for drinks. I typically do not tip over the auto gratuity that is added to every beverage that you have to pay for. At dinner - I'm already going to be tipping the Assistant Server. He/She will get an increase at the end of the cruise if I order drinks more evenings than not and they keep my diet coke flowing. The servers up on deck or in the bars I do not give additional tip. If I have the same person waiting on me day after day up on deck (or in the bars) I will usually add some extra gratuity on my last drink with them -- but that's infrequently. On Castaway Cay if I'm out on the beach or in the water --- Yep, those guys get a big tip!!

Part 3: Palo - this is where you will see a wide range of gratuities - from Zero to $100. If you choose to go, consider giving a small tip (maybe total of $10 for the two of you). Again, it's up to you ... but after you experience the service, you usually want to tip more (and at this point in my life I am able to be generous - and more than happy to).

Part 4: Shore Excursions ... I still have issues with this sometimes - because sometimes there are so many people!! We usually will give $5 (total) to the "bus driver", and then depending upon what we are doing, and how good the guides are will will give between $5 and $15 per guest. And many times we have only tipped $5 or $10 for the four of us.

Part 5: Porters & Taxis - $1 - $2 per bag. Room Service on the ship: $1 - $5 per delivery

[end of gratuities --- finally!]

Cash: No need for cash on the ship - its a cashless society (mostly). But you still have to Pay Gratuities for the tipped positions and for the bartenders / drink servers can be / should be handled on the charge slips. Same with Palo. Room service can be added to a slip (but they don't always have them) but cash is an acceptable / reliable form of tipping. For the people off of the ship (porters, guides, drivers, etc) you will need cash. Most places they are more than happy to accept US Dollars.

Costs: Real, Imaginary and Discretionary:
The four tipped positions should be considered part of the cruise - and should be given to these hard working crew members. The cruise industry does not pay them (much). They work for the tips!
Additional tipping is totally up to what you want to give.
The reality is that between your cruise fare and the gratuities you've covered all of the amounts that you "have" to spend. The rest is discretionary.

A partial list of items that will add up (quickly)

• Shore Excursions booked through the cruise line - usually expensive (and safe)
• Pictures - buying the photos that the ship's photographers take add up fast. And they are usually hard to resist. The best way to avoid buying the pictures is to NOT go look at them after they've printed them up or put them into the computer. Doesn't work for us. One cruise we did that, and are actually sad that we don't have any ships pictures from the cruise.
• Drinks: Adult Beverages and Smoothies: Any drink in a bar (including soda) will cost you. Smoothies (milkshakes) also carry a charge (reasonable). Sodas in the dinning rooms at meals are free. The soda station up on the pool deck is free. Adult Drinks are never free. But the Drink of the Day and the nightly specials at dinner seem to be reasonably priced. They do have the $100 to $200 brandy / cognac available. Some really expensive wines too. If you go to Castaway Cay, note the "end of service" time for the bars. If you hit them before they close you can sometimes get a 2 for 1 deal.
• Snacks: outside the main theater (Walt Disney Theater) they sell popcorn, soda and "movie candies". I'm a big (very) guy and I cannot see spending anymore money on food and soda on board - I'm full!!
• Souvenirs: There a several gift shops on board and on Castaway Cay. Some inexpensive items and some VERY expensive items. If you start Pin Trading -- you will not beleive how fast you can spend money (but it's only $6!! ... over and over again ... Disney Loves It!)
• Spa: It sounds really nice to be pampered at sea, but man those prices are Insane compared to at home. Same with the Haircuts / Styling and mani/pedi.
• Mixology / Tasting Classes: Lots of fun and actually reasonably priced ... but again there's a cost involved.

Again this is not a complete list ... but it does include most of the "gotcha" expenses.

Remember if they take your card, you are going to be charged some amount (ie: Drinks at the Sail Away Party). The Exception to this rule is if the photographer takes your card - they are just recording which room number slot to put your pictures in.

One last thing ... and its a freebie: IF there is a Captain's Gala on your sailing, the drinks they are passing out in the atrium before dinner are free (adult and kids)

I just looked at your post again
Cove Cafe: Drinks in here have a cost - the treats in here are free and they are better than most desserts in the main dinning rooms.

Add me to those who appreciate your thorough comments. Like you, I have finally gotten to the point in my life where I enjoy giving tips for good service and to kind people. I want to do the right thing and like the OP, wish it were sometimes clearer "who and how" to tip.

Honestly, I also wish it were clearer which activities are fun and free and which are pay to play. I've looked at activities and thought I would enjoy them if they were free but wasn't interested enough to pay.

Finally, looks like you've done some fun traveling. It used to be that I had been to more countries than states, but I think the numbers are fairly even now. Got to get some more continents under my belt.

 

[melissarose]

Captain's Gala is a themed menu in the MDRs. It's typically on a semi-formal night on the longer (7 night) cruises.

Yes! That's great to hear since we'll be on a 7 night cruise. I am so excited I can barely contain my excitement, and I feel better now that a few things have ben explained. Only 28 more days!

 

[DisneyFanInTexas]

Great post and great responses. Very helpful for us newbies!

 

[alisigns]

Can I tip the awesome providers of information on this thread? Thank you so much! I am a newbie, too and this is great!!!!

 

[Sotong]

I note that there are free sodas at the pool bar and at restaurants, is there a drink station in the buffet area?
Thanks for all this great info its helping me plan for our cruise this summer in the Med on Disney Magic.
Gillian

 

[tobikaye]

I note that there are free sodas at the pool bar and at restaurants, is there a drink station in the buffet area?
Thanks for all this great info its helping me plan for our cruise this summer in the Med on Disney Magic.
Gillian

Yes, there are dink stations in the buffet area. I know on the Dream it looked like two stations on each side of the buffet.

 

[jrabbit]

Can I tip the awesome providers of information on this thread? Thank you so much! I am a newbie, too and this is great!!!!

I take Chocolate!!!

 

[jrabbit]

I note that there are free sodas at the pool bar and at restaurants, is there a drink station in the buffet area?
Thanks for all this great info its helping me plan for our cruise this summer in the Med on Disney Magic.
Gillian

NOT sure about free drinks at the "pool bar"

On the pool deck on all ships is the drink station - and it it close to the Buffet area.

The pool deck buffet has soda dispensers (self serve) and in the other restaurants you can order soda's to be brought to you by your server.

 

[jrabbit]

....
Honestly, I also wish it were clearer which activities are fun and free and which are pay to play. I've looked at activities and thought I would enjoy them if they were free but wasn't interested enough to pay.
...

all activities are free except for ...

• Some Fitness center activities. Those that carry a charge are identified (body sculpt work out )
• Spa
• Salon
• Hair Braiding
• Shore Excursions
• Bingo (free to watch - heard that it's fun)
• Arcade
• Pin Trading* (*BYOP - Bring Your Own Pins - then free, but there are pins available for purchase)
• Mixology / Tasting Classes
• Palo
• Remy (Dream / Fantasy)
• Bipity Bopity Boutique (Dream / Fantasy)
• Sports Simulator (Dream / Fantasy)

Can anyone add to this list of "activities" that carry a charge?

 

[alisigns]

I take Chocolate!!!

Love it!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

...
Honestly, I also wish it were clearer which activities are fun and free and which are pay to play. I've looked at activities and thought I would enjoy them if they were free but wasn't interested enough to pay...

Most of the activities, except Tastings and Mixology classes are included in your cruisefare.

 

[Amberleefuta]

Thank you for the great responses. We are new to cruising and I am trying to figure out what a week will cost. What are the adult drink prices like?

Thanks
amber