Increased gratuities

[dreamer17555]

Scott just posted the gratuities are increasing starting 1/23/25

New cost-

$16.00 per person per night for standard
$27.25 per person per night for concierge

 

[SL6827]

I wonder if Disney is increasing their pay rates as well?

 

[holula]

I don’t mind them being increased but it’s not exactly giving people a lot of notice about the increase.

 

[batman123]

I've pre paid gratuities for an upcoming cruise in May - do I need to pay the difference?

 

[happycamper47]

Wonder how accurate this is? DCL normally sends out emails to all passengers booked as well as to the TA's who forward them. Has anybody received anything? We haven't.

 

[HokieRaven5]

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/onboard-services/gratuities/

Q:

Is there any expected amount for gratuities, and what’s the best way to pay them?
A:

It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of exceptional service, which you’ll receive in abundance aboard the ship. We recommend a gratuity amount of $16.00 USD per night, per stateroom Guest, including infants and children.

Pre-Paid Gratuities are distributed to the crew members who take care of you in the following roles:

• Dining room server
• Dining room assistant server
• Dining room head server
• Stateroom host

Guests staying in Concierge Staterooms and Suites are recommended a gratuity amount of $27.25 USD per night, per stateroom Guest. This includes gratuity for the assistant stateroom host, who services the Concierge accommodations, and the Concierge Lounge team, in addition to the positions listed above.

Easily pre-pay optional gratuities online to create a carefree experience by visiting My Reservations in your Disney account and following the prompts for Pre-Paid Gratuities. If you booked your Disney cruise with a travel agent, please contact them to apply this payment for you.

For Guest convenience, if you did not get a chance to pre-pay before boarding the ship, we will automatically charge your onboard account the suggested optional gratuity amount per Guest per night. Once on board the ship, if you wish to remove or adjust the amount of your optional gratuities, please visit Guest Services for assistance.

Requests to refund pre-paid optional gratuities may only be processed in full back to the original form of payment, which may include forms of payment made by a travel agent.

 

[MomOTwins]

I've pre paid gratuities for an upcoming cruise in May - do I need to pay the difference?

No, in the past when disney has raised tips, those who already paid the lower price are grandfathered in. On the other hand, the general consensus for some time has been that most people tipped extra on top of the prepaid amount. So in a way this move is kind of right-sizing tips to the amount most guests found appropriate.

 

[mjkacmom]

No, in the past when disney has raised tips, those who already paid the lower price are grandfathered in. On the other hand, the general consensus for some time has been that most people tipped extra on top of the prepaid amount. So in a way this move is kind of right-sizing tips to the amount most guests found appropriate.

All lines increase this amount on a regular basis, I don’t think it affects how much folks tip oop. Our last cruises were NCL, now $20 pp pd, we always leave it and tip bartenders and cabin stewards what we usually tip.

 

[dreamer17555]

No, in the past when disney has raised tips, those who already paid the lower price are grandfathered in. On the other hand, the general consensus for some time has been that most people tipped extra on top of the prepaid amount. So in a way this move is kind of right-sizing tips to the amount most guests found appropriate.

Considering how many people I’m seeing on Facebook ask if they can still just pre-pay the lower amount now- I don’t think everybody tips extra.

This won’t impact us either way because we always do tip extra. But with how many people who are upset that they weren’t given more warning for this change, it implies that they weren’t planning to spend that extra $1.50 per person per night

 

[Geomom]

I wonder what the breakdown/cast member is now? Anyone see that info?

 

[Mathmagicland]

I wonder what the breakdown/cast member is now? Anyone see that info?

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...uity-increased-across-the-fleet-january-2025/

 

[MomOTwins]

Considering how many people I’m seeing on Facebook ask if they can still just pre-pay the lower amount now- I don’t think everybody tips extra.

This won’t impact us either way because we always do tip extra. But with how many people who are upset that they weren’t given more warning for this change, it implies that they weren’t planning to spend that extra $1.50 per person per night

Well of course everyone wants to know if they now have to pay the difference between the old price and the new—nobody wants their cruise cancelled because of an unpaid balance after PIF. But if you look at any tipping thread here or on facebook the vast majority tip more than the minimum.

 

[dreamer17555]

Well of course everyone wants to know if they now have to pay the difference between the old price and the new—nobody wants their cruise cancelled because of an unpaid balance after PIF. But if you look at any tipping thread here or on facebook the vast majority tip more than the minimum.

Maybe I was not clear- A bunch of cruisers were wanting to still be allowed today to lock in the old 14.50 price if they prepay today (after the increase announced) because they do not want to be charged the $16. Some are very upset that they weren't warned of this change and are very unhappy

Also owing tips would not be considered an unpaid balance after PIF- many people do not prepay tips. It would not cause your sailing to be cancelled.

I agree that most on the internet say they like to tip more... and then a change like this comes out and they are all angry and upset that they can't lock in the lower tip amount and it shows their true colors.

 

[tvguy]

I wonder if Disney is increasing their pay rates as well?

Certainly possible but remember crewmembers are under contract with pay set for the entire term of the contract, so not immediately. Maybe their next contract. However, most tipped crew work for the tips, the base pay is way down the list, usually after tips, medical insurance, room and board, and air fare to and from their home nations between contracts.

 

[Goofy1932]

Considering how many people I’m seeing on Facebook ask if they can still just pre-pay the lower amount now- I don’t think everybody tips extra.

This won’t impact us either way because we always do tip extra. But with how many people who are upset that they weren’t given more warning for this change, it implies that they weren’t planning to spend that extra $1.50 per person per night

I already have extra amounts set aside for the tips on top of the prepaid amounts I already paid. I still plan on adding the difference between my previous prepaid amount and the new amount.

 

[juxtapose]

Does the concierge daily tip include tips for any drinks ordered during the 5-10pm happy hour, I guess I'm just wondering if anything "requires" a tip on the spot in the concierge lounge area?

 

[RedHead0186]

Does the concierge daily tip include tips for any drinks ordered during the 5-10pm happy hour, I guess I'm just wondering if anything "requires" a tip on the spot in the concierge lounge area?

Nothing requires a tip on the spot in concierge lounge. Gratuities for drinks/drink service would be included in the overall gratuities for concierge. Of course, you are free to tip on the spot if you like, but it's not required (and you can always adjust the gratuity amount at the end of the cruise).

 

[RedHead0186]

Considering how many people I’m seeing on Facebook ask if they can still just pre-pay the lower amount now- I don’t think everybody tips extra.

This won’t impact us either way because we always do tip extra. But with how many people who are upset that they weren’t given more warning for this change, it implies that they weren’t planning to spend that extra $1.50 per person per night

I'm not entirely sure that people asking if they can pre-pay the lower amount now means they don't tip extra. For some it could mean they want to have control over tipping extra and how much. I make decisions on how much to add at the end of the cruise, once I've seen the service. I've definitely adjusted amounts differently based on the service I feel I received from each person. Prepaying takes away that ability to judge based on service.

Of note, I never prepay gratuities, I just prefer to do it onboard. And I'm not in any way advocating that the CM don't deserve better tips. I'm just pointing out the perspective/mindset. I think some people like to have control over the tipping amount and not make a decision until after they've received the service.

 

[SL6827]

I think they deserve an increase on both the customers end and Disneys end. But wait, I think Iger got all that amount here recently from Disney.

 

[Lesverts]

Still kinda on the low end of daily gratuities for cruising.

But can they get rid of those envelopes and the speeches?