Is Tipping Mandatory?

[Disneytreasure]

On my WBTA, for 6 people the auto-gratuities come out to 10% extra on top of the cruise price. I did not realize that there were auto-gratuities added until several weeks after I booked the cruise -- and I am a research-intensive person. For someone who is *not* a researcher, who does not happen to read the fine print, and for whom a cruise is an aspirational vacation, yes, 10% DOES make a difference.

If you're rolling in enough dough that nearly $1,000 dollars disappearing from your vacation budget is no big deal, great. Not all of us are that lucky, and I refuse to look down on people who count their pennies twice but still want to see the world.

I will repeat, lest I be misinterpreted: tipping on DCL is vital. I will also say that people who ask questions on this board should not automatically be vilified. I'd encourage us to give folks the benefit of the doubt when it comes to ignorance vs. malice.

Thanks! I didn't come on here to fight, just to verify that information. I'm not a "tipper" and never have been. I feel bad for the staff, and I wish Disney would pay a decent wage. On past cruises I have been on, tipping was not required (some actually have it built in so you don't have to tip).

I also see a lot of assumptions being made about my finances, and that's fine by me But I won't be tipping on this cruise. With eight family members, it would be a huge amount, and we are already paying a lot per head for the cruise. Plus we are doing excursions and such. I was talking it over with family and we decided to do more research before making a decision. We are trying to get the most out of a family vacation and we just can't justify the extra cost.

Thanks to all who responded! Much appreciated. Happy cruising!

 

[AquaDame]

OP got her answer so I am going to close the thread on this very divisive topic...!