Onboard discounts/perks (DVC, AP, Disney Visa, etc.)

[ember1205]

First, I'm almost 100% certain the Costco Visa actually nets 3% cash back for purchasing the cruise with that card as it's considered a travel purchase. If you pay less than the full amount of the cruise, I could see where it could drop that to 2%.

Second, be mindful of your onboard account if you do pre-pay your gratuities. DCL automatically adds $13.50 per person per night (they say per day, but it's easier to be sure of the correct count by totaling per night) of the sailing for gratuities. Since you will be asked to either place a minimum amount on deposit by cash or to fund with a credit card for your onboard account, these charges don't actually hit your card until the cruise ends. AND, you have the opportunity to completely remove them and tip the staff directly in cash, increase the amount, decrease the amount, etc. And, if you do wish to change the amounts (or method), you have to request that change before leaving the ship at the end of the sailing.

No. It's only the base cruise cost that counts, before taxes & port fees.

But, paying that with the Costco Visa should net the 3% and being an Executive Member should yield the 2% (that's 5% total) in cash-back.

 

[Livelovedance]

Another Perk of the Disney Visa - the % back in Disney gift card value, plus you also get 6 months free financing of your cruise price, your prepaid gratuities AND if you put money on your account BEFORE they close the booking window you can finance that as well. DH and I always add at least $500 to our on board account before we leave. I can pay for the cruise and the spending money at one shot no problem, but when they offer to finance it for free why should I give them all my money at once? I let them carry the burden and I spread it out across the 6 months to keep my money in the bank. New charges to your card once the cruise starts will not get the free financing.

Have a great trip.

Good to know, thank you! If you don't use the entire amount that you added to your on board account, is that automatically refunded to your card, or do you have to go to guest services to address that?

Second, be mindful of your onboard account if you do pre-pay your gratuities. DCL automatically adds $13.50 per person per night (they say per day, but it's easier to be sure of the correct count by totaling per night) of the sailing for gratuities. Since you will be asked to either place a minimum amount on deposit by cash or to fund with a credit card for your onboard account, these charges don't actually hit your card until the cruise ends. AND, you have the opportunity to completely remove them and tip the staff directly in cash, increase the amount, decrease the amount, etc. And, if you do wish to change the amounts (or method), you have to request that change before leaving the ship at the end of the sailing.

Yes, that is the amount we prepaid. I'll try to keep an eye on it to make sure we're not charged extra. Will the prepaid amount show up on our account as a credit, and then they deduct the $13.50 per person daily? Can you view your account on the app?

 

[JARNJ3]

Question on the prepaying of gratuities? Aren't they automatically charged to your account?

 

[Livelovedance]

Question on the prepaying of gratuities? Aren't they automatically charged to your account?

According to @ember1205 they are; they'll charge your account $13.50 per person daily (I'm new to this so I'm just giving credit where credit is due!). I prepaid our gratuities because I like to have as much paid for before a trip as I can!

 

[ember1205]

Question on the prepaying of gratuities? Aren't they automatically charged to your account?

If you read through the various documents you receive after booking you should find either this exact statement or something very close to it (this came from an email sent to me by Costco Travel after I booked):

Gratuities: It is customary to extend gratuities to the shipboard staff for their services. Disney Cruise Lines will automatically add a $13.50 per person per day gratuity for all stateroom accommodations to each guest’s onboard account. This gratuity will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all wait staff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, and housekeeping staff. All gratuity amounts reflect the current suggested amount by the cruise line and are subject to change without notice. Please note gratuities will be deemed undisputed unless a request to modify is received prior to disembarking the ship.

 

[ember1205]

Good to know, thank you! If you don't use the entire amount that you added to your on board account, is that automatically refunded to your card, or do you have to go to guest services to address that?

Actually, funding your onboard account with a credit card works a little differently. You don't actually make any sort of deposit to the account - they charge your card when the account balance reaches certain limits. In the docs that you will receive (if you haven't already) there is a contract and it spells this out as follows:

I acknowledge that I am aware that my credit/debit card will be charged during the cruise when folio balance exceeds the following limits based on cruise length: 2-5 days ($300), 6-9 days ($500), 10+ days ($700).

So, you won't have to worry about them refunding anything back because they auto-charge at those thresholds and do a final charge to settle the account at the end of the trip for whatever remaining balance there is.

Yes, that is the amount we prepaid. I'll try to keep an eye on it to make sure we're not charged extra. Will the prepaid amount show up on our account as a credit, and then they deduct the $13.50 per person daily? Can you view your account on the app?

Since you are almost certainly going to have a smartphone with you, I would suggest you take a picture of any receipts or other documents that show that you've paid this amount and have it available with you. On the off chance that DSL still charges this to your onboard account, you should be able to show them the pictures to have the charges removed. Just remember to do it before leaving the ship on the last day.

 

[pixiedustedme]

Yes, that is the amount we prepaid. I'll try to keep an eye on it to make sure we're not charged extra. Will the prepaid amount show up on our account as a credit, and then they deduct the $13.50 per person daily? Can you view your account on the app?

You won't be charged extra when pre-paying gratuities. I've done it for our last four cruises with no issue. The gratuity charges show up on your folio, along with the prepayment you already made.

I much prefer prepaying gratuities. It's one less charge to have to cover once you're onboard.

 

[pixiedustedme]

But, paying that with the Costco Visa should net the 3% and being an Executive Member should yield the 2% (that's 5% total) in cash-back.

That would be in addition to the 8% back that all Costco Travel customers get back on their Costco Cash cards.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

ncluding all wait staff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, and housekeeping staff.

That statement came from DCL? That's not quite true.

The $13.50 is designated to:
$4.50 to your room host
$4.50 to your dining room server
$3.50 to your assistant dining room server
#1.00 to your head server

It does NOT cover buffet servers (except, of course, any dining room servers that are working in the buffet for breakfast/lunch), or housekeeping staff (except, of course, your own room host).

 

[n2mm]

Remember if you’re a Gold or Platinum castaway club member, you get 10% off on merchandise. Discounts can’t be combined.

 

[lanejudy]

Good to know, thank you! If you don't use the entire amount that you added to your on board account, is that automatically refunded to your card, or do you have to go to guest services to address that?

If you prepay to your onboard account, and don't end up spending that much, it will automatically be refunded to the method of payment used to prepay - so yes to your credit card. Another option is to purchase a Disney gift card for the value of your remaining balance - but of course that ties it up as Disney funds.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[ember1205]

That statement came from DCL? That's not quite true.

The $13.50 is designated to:
$4.50 to your room host
$4.50 to your dining room server
$3.50 to your assistant dining room server
#1.00 to your head server

It does NOT cover buffet servers (except, of course, any dining room servers that are working in the buffet for breakfast/lunch), or housekeeping staff (except, of course, your own room host).

Yes, that is a direct copy of the ‘DCL’ portion of the email I got after booking. There was another entire section at the end that was tacked on by Costco Travel, but that was direct from DCL.

Buffet stewards / servers do not remain with you for the entirety of the cruise which may be why they are not singled out as the guideline in the booklet states that gratuities are give to those that provide “services that continue throughout your cruise.” I take this to mean those staff that are directly dedicated to you during your time on the ship, and service staff in a buffet doesn’t really fit that definition. I have no idea why it’s written in the email the way that it is.

 

[Dug720]

If you prepay to your onboard account, and don't end up spending that much, it will automatically be refunded to the method of payment used to prepay - so yes to your credit card. Another option is to purchase a Disney gift card for the value of your remaining balance - but of course that ties it up as Disney funds.

Enjoy your cruise!

Do the gift shops still have the buy a gift card option? I thought that had gone away after the crew member was busted for having stolen so much money, largely on gift cards.

 

[kiford]

Buffet stewards / servers do not remain with you for the entirety of the cruise which may be why they are not singled out as the guideline in the booklet states that gratuities are give to those that provide “services that continue throughout your cruise.” I take this to mean those staff that are directly dedicated to you during your time on the ship, and service staff in a buffet doesn’t really fit that definition. I have no idea why it’s written in the email the way that it is.

It may be a rather roundabout and vague way of indicating that your server and assistant server will also be working in those other locations for breakfast and lunch and that is how they are compensated rather than you providing a gratuity for someone who might serve you at those times.

 

[Dug720]

Yes, that is a direct copy of the ‘DCL’ portion of the email I got after booking. There was another entire section at the end that was tacked on by Costco Travel, but that was direct from DCL.

Buffet stewards / servers do not remain with you for the entirety of the cruise which may be why they are not singled out as the guideline in the booklet states that gratuities are give to those that provide “services that continue throughout your cruise.” I take this to mean those staff that are directly dedicated to you during your time on the ship, and service staff in a buffet doesn’t really fit that definition. I have no idea why it’s written in the email the way that it is.

The servers in the MDRs ARE the servers in the buffet, the quick service locations, and on Castaway. Even if your immediate servers are not serving you, someone else's will be and yours will be serving someone else.

 

[lanejudy]

Do the gift shops still have the buy a gift card option? I thought that had gone away after the crew member was busted for having stolen so much money, largely on gift cards.

Wow! When did I miss that? Maybe gift cards aren’t available...

 

[Dug720]

Wow! When did I miss that? Maybe gift cards aren’t available...

It happened a few years ago. They might have tried bringing them back, but I am not sure.

 

[Bonnie1222]

Good to know, thank you! If you don't use the entire amount that you added to your on board account, is that automatically refunded to your card, or do you have to go to guest services to address that?

It is automatically put back on our card. I just may take a couple days. I just got off the Fantasy this morning but didn't have to worry about getting anything refunded LOL they will be charging my card to pay for the amount I went over

 

[Livelovedance]

If you prepay to your onboard account, and don't end up spending that much, it will automatically be refunded to the method of payment used to prepay - so yes to your credit card. Another option is to purchase a Disney gift card for the value of your remaining balance - but of course that ties it up as Disney funds.

Enjoy your cruise!

It is automatically put back on our card. I just may take a couple days. I just got off the Fantasy this morning but didn't have to worry about getting anything refunded LOL they will be charging my card to pay for the amount I went over

Great, thank you! I have to decide if this is an option worth exploring. We're DCL newbies so I'm not sure what to expect, but thank you @lanejudy, we're looking forward to it! @Bonnie1222 I hope you had a wonderful time on the Fantasy! The saddest part is always the ending!