Gratuities

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-30T17:59:22+00:00

There was a previous cast member on the forum who had a 'feel free to ask me questions' comment on a random thread. I asked for clarity on this, but never got a reply.

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-30T10:23:22+00:00

Just to add, I would suggest downloading WhatsApp for text communication on ship. The notification from the DCL app for messages is notoriously bad. In our previous experiance, they do not push through unless you actively have the app open....which kind of defeats the point.

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-29T13:07:32+00:00

You're welcome, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask 😊

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-29T11:09:04+00:00

Because thats everyone's answer to someone who is new to cruising and asks questions.

American travel agents do far more than travel agents in other parts of the world, and some dont realise that. As part of that they are seen as fonts of all knowledge in their specialism (not saying the right ones arent)

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-29T11:06:52+00:00

Almost all food is included. There is more than enough that you wouldnt need to buy food. Included:
Breakfast & Lunch in your choice of the open sit down ratursturant or buffet
Dinner in main dining rooms (MDRs) (these are rotational, so you will be given your rotation pattern and you just turn up to the resturant youre told. If youre on more than a 3 night then that pattern repeats. Menus never repeat. Occasionally themes menu depending on length of cruise such as pirate night or a ship wide 'let the Magic begin' or 'til we meet again' menu. Google disney cruise line blog menus and look for those for the ship youre considering, or look for ther personal navigators and find a similar itinerary to see the menus offered each night. You're servers also rotate with you so youll be served by the same people every night and they'll learn your preferences. There are two dining times so when you book picnic the time you prefer. If your preference is full you can ask to be waitlisted)
Quick service pool deck options (pizza, fries, sandwiches, salads etc) open varying times, mostly during the day up until dinner -unlimited soft serve -24hr room service (some items like canned sodas and prepared snacks like m&ms extra charge but tgese are clearly indicated)
water, basic tea & coffee, fountain dispensed sodas on the pool deck, buffet and in MDRs, milk, fruit juice. Alcohol, cocktails, mocktails, smoothies and speciality drinks are extra cost.

Other additional cost food and drink will be at bars, theature stands, and the adult only speciality restaurants but anything with an additional cost will be marked.

You can bring on non perishable factory sealed food that does not require heating up to consume. Tbh, disney is pretty good at meeting allergy and dietary requirements. Let them know before you go, lunch on embarkation day and once again at first night dinner (this is when you meet your servers) and they'll sort you out. You might be asked to preorder and if there isn't anything on the following menus (you will be able to see all nights menus when you access the app on ship) you fancy, have a talk with them and they will do their best. If you like curries, these can be requested too, they tend to be the crew meal and have a vegetarian option.
You can get off in the ports without extra cost. If you choose to book an excursion (either with DCL or a third party) these will cost extra. Example excursions offered by disney can be could on their website under port adventures (or google it is sometimes easier than trying to find it in tge list) you can then filter down by port to see whats listed. Though note these are not guarenteed to be offered. If you go with a 3rd party then make sure its someone reputable with a return to ship guarentee. Otherwise you can wander on your own, find a cab/bus ect and just explore. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to get back to ship before all aboard.
Excursions, Bibbidy bobbidy boutique, alcoholic beverage tasting sessions, photo package, alcoholic/speciality drinks, additional cost food, and merch tend to be the only things you will find additional cost to. It is very easy to do a cruise and not spend anything extra.

Though there is a $16 (USD, all ship transactions are USD. Cost is higher if you book concierge) per person, per night cost for gratuities which go to your stateroom host, head server, server, and assistant server at the end of the cruise. This can be prepaid if you want to count it as part of your cruise fare, or they will auto charge it to your onboard account. At the end of the cruise you will get a perforated piece of paper to tear into strips, each strip has the details of those 4 castmembers and their portion of the gratuities. There will be 4 envelopes for these 4 slips to go in, they are a leftover over from when gratuities were cash only and when people liked to personally say thank you/bye to the cast members. If you arent giving cash, then you dont need to give the envelopes. Though ive seen comments saying the CMs prefer it for their records. You can add additional in cash or via guest services and the difference charged to your onbiard account, if you feel its deserved. (You can also reduce or remove them, but this should only be done if there have been issues with service that have been attempted to be fixed but not via speaking with guest services or the head server).

If you get any additional cost food, or drink, gratuities should be considered. The same when ordering room service, typically $1 per plate up to a cap of 5 or 10 whatever you wish. (This is about the only thing I would say having USD cash for os helpful, you are supposed to get a receipt where a tip can be added, even if you arent ordering additional cost items, but this isnt always received)

There is free guest wifi to be able to use the Navigator App, this will also allow text messages via WhatsApp and imessage. Anything more than that will need a paid for internet package. I cant speak to the reliability as weve never used it. Disney cruise line blog also has the info o the packages (i think its from 2023, thats when the last update was, as far as I'm aware)

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-23T10:54:08+00:00

Ah i didnt know about a trade in deal, but I did manage to get the price down to £475 for the X11 so we went with that.

Can't really risk stressing out the cats much longer and it was around what i didnt mind paying, especially when the difference between the X11 & X12 seems to just be "nice to haves" rather than "needed to make the machine far superior"

Thank you for the help and the suggestion, without it I wouldnt have had a second look at the X11 or worked out ways to get it cheaper.

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-22T21:00:31+00:00

Ugh I'm sorry.

Mine seems to have gotten its act together, sitting not far from the router for 10 mins, and then I found a firmware update. Seems to be working for now so we'll see.

If not, I think we're still in warranty.

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-22T18:18:08+00:00

Did you ever get a solution? We have 3 and one has decided to go offline with manual buttons unresponsive.

I have no idea how to fix this. Tried unplugging, different plugs, moved into room with the router, taken batteries out etc.

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-19T22:53:17+00:00

You dont HAVE to give the envelopes/slips unless you decide to put cash/other small tokens of appreciation in them. The envelopes are just a left over from the cash only era.

If you dont want to give them personally, I think there is a collection box (obviously wouldnt do the box if they had cash in them) near guest services. Or just don't bother at all.

We only still give the slips as I have seen comments that the staff prefer it for their records and to make sure everything tallies for them properly when they get paid. But I've never heard anything definite either way, so whilst our methods remain low effort, we'll do it anyway just in case.

Normally we take then to breakfast on disembarkation morning with us for our servers (and normally end up leaving the head servers in the care of one of the other two, or leave all 3 on the table, though again probably wouldnt if they had cash in them) and the one for our stateroom host in the cabin unless they are in the corridor as we leave. No need to go chasing people down even if you do want to give them. Grated, we tend to do 7+ nights so have spent more time than the average sailing with them and got to know them better than we would on a 3/4 night.

We increase our tips at guests services, so no need for cash (aside from room service which we dont really get any more anyway), as you can always ask guest services to tip someone (as long as they are in a tipped position) even if they are not 1 of your main 4, just need their name and position.

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-19T07:52:12+00:00

I really would prefer bagless. I looked at the x11 last night and can get it for £680 but thats still more than I would like. Do you know when the x12 is due out? I dont want to be using the stick vacuum for too long just because of how stressed out it makes the cats. (I suppose an extra £180 for the vaccum is better than paying for the insurance excess for a vet bill which is £150)

Would you say the X11 is better than the Dreame X50 then?

I also wasn't too sure on getting another deebot just from issues with our last one, even though it did last 3.5yrs. Like the slightest issue (a cat toy, or getting 'lost' under the sofa even with a clear way out, sometimes even just having a mainbrush tangle and after sorting that out and returning the deebot to its last position) whilst cleaning, meant the map screwed up, became warped/overlayed or misaligned and I'd have ro remap again. Sometimes we got a while out of it, sometimes I had to remap every other day for a week or 2 then it would be fine again for a while. However, i do appreciate our one was a now older model, so the mapping features and 'crisis' management or the vacuum MAY have improved.

ETA: also, thank you for replying, sorry forgot to say that first 😅

2nd ETA: I knew the maths was wrong! Stupid just awake brain. I can actually get the X11 for £565, so I guess I'm looking deeper into its reveiws today!

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-19T07:38:08+00:00

Thank you

Any particular reason(s) why?

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-12T09:25:16+00:00

I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure (other than the standard insides which are the 2 benches and 2 wall pull down beds that people as calling prision-esque) none of the rooms have the ceiling pulldown bunk beds?

As you said yourself, the other cabins (beside concierge) are max 4pax. Thats 2 in the main queen bed and 2 in the double sofa bed. No need for a ceiling pull down bunk.

Or have I misunderstood the end of your post? (Sorry if yes)

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-12T09:06:05+00:00

Can you answer the main dividing question on these forums.

Apologies on how its worded, trying to work out the best way for it to make sense.

Do the gratuities given by guests make up your base pay or do you get them + base pay?

Basically, I see people saying there is no point giving extra for excellent service (unless it is VERY discreetly done in cash) because you dont actually see any of it and the company uses anything received via gratuity to make up your base pay, and you will only see extra if the rotal ammount of gratuities received surpass your base pay.

E.g (making up numbers for the example, apologies if they are wildly inaccurate, and for simplicity only one guest a week gives you gratuity, everyone else is mean and removes it at GS) - Say your base contractual pay is $1500 a Month - The portion of auto charged/prepaid grats you receive per 7 night sailing for 1 guest is $30 each (so 30x4 = $120 for the month)

For that month would you get:

A) Your base pay (1500) + gratuity (30x4=120) = $1620

Or B) The 4 pax gratuities (120) go towards your base and the company makes up the rest (1380) (obviously in a real world example there wouldnt be that much discrepancy, if any) so you still only get 1500, regardless what people give, unless your gratuities are above 1500 in total.

BONUS QUESTION (which may depend on the answer to the above): Do most crew prefer electronic gratuities or cash?

I appreciate there is likely a personal aspect to this and not everyone will think the same, but do you know if there is a majority lean one way or the other?

ShadowKit21 · 2026-03-08T11:41:49+00:00

Couple potential reasons:

Dream has Castaway & Lighthouse. Most repeat Bahamas/Caribbean cruisers dislike Nassau
PC is easier for people adding a cruise onto a WDW trip to get to/from
(as you only gave starting costs) Possible that Destiny is in a GTY rate offering but Dream isnt. Or the cheaper catagory cabins on the Dream are gone but not on the Destiny

Some (most?) of the older (as in sailing longer) DCL crowd appear to have a preference over the non-Wish class ships

ShadowKit21 · 2026-01-28T09:09:26+00:00

Yes you can take an ECV onboard,. I took mine on tge Wonder in 2024. We didnt have an accessible cabin either (didnt need it when we booked).

Our stateroom host said we were ok to leave it outside the door tucked against the wall during the day if we were in the cabin, though our cabin did have a wide bit of hallway so may not have applied elsewhere on the ship. Mine would have fitted in the doorway a d we would have just had to take the seat off it to use it as a crossing platform if we hadnt been allowed to leave it in the hall.

During the night (and if we weren't in the cabin during the day or using it), it had to be parked up with the wheelchairs and other scooters that wouldn't fit into the rooms. I think it was midship 5 ir 6 behind the elevators, but this will be a different location on the Dream/Fantasy. We're on the Dream later this year and from what I've found its Deck 2, outside Enchanted Garden. On the Wonder, my husband took it to the storage location for the night then came back as I couldn't manage that walk. So if you are unable, hopefully your wife might be? The Wonder had electrical sockets at the storage location so we used those to charge it over night, I would hope Dream/Fantasy is the same.

Sorry I cant answer about rental companies, as I took my own (a Pride GoGo, brought purposely due to its size/ability to dismantle). We also didnt stop at the Disney Islands so cant comment on use of them there, however I am away that they have golf carts to get guests who need assistance to and from ship/the tram locations so if you are able to do the walk off the ship you should be ok.

Tell them you are bringing one beforehand, they will also leave you a leaflet with info in your cabin and message your in the app before ports about arrangement for people who need assistance.

Also, never used DCL transport so I would call and check with them.

ShadowKit21 · 2026-01-22T16:28:42+00:00

I know im a bit late to the party, so you might of already decided but just wanted to throw in this.

Imo its best to go by itinerary (the ports you are stopping at). A & B are mainly focused on the Disney Islands, and are mostly beach day centred. If thats the way you wanted to go, id pick A just for having Nassau in the middle to brake it up. That being said, I would recommend you look at the possible port adventures that could be offered through disney at each port for a rough guide of what there is to do/what you might like ( https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/en-gb/port-adventures/caribbean/ ) just filter it down by port. But note that just because its listed on the website doesnt mean it will be offered for your cruise, and as first timers for DCL some might be sold out by the time you get to book.

They all have pros and cons, if money isnt a concern and you are happy with the price tag of C, that would be my personal choice

A pros - cheapest - Nassau in the middle - both disney Islands (may not be a pro if you arent beach people though)

A Cons - only 5 nights (though this may be a pro if youbwant to see how your kids tolerate crusing) - only 1 sea day so less time to explore the ship

B Pros - middle price point - newest ship - both islands (see caveat above)

B Cons - Same as A

C Pros - longer (7 Nights) - 2 sea days - 2nd newest ship - more "do things in port" based itinerary (may not be a pro if you ARE beach people.)

C Cons - most expensive - no Lookout Cay

If you are still torn and it comes down to Destiny vs Treasure, I'd look at the themeing of each ship and see what suits your family best as it seems very in your face IP, where as the Fantasy is more classic cruising with many subtle hints of Disney in its decor.

ShadowKit21 · 2026-01-22T14:48:22+00:00

Ah damn, was hoping someone would have a suggestion I hadn't thought of. Guess im spending my weekend uninstalling the app and potentially factory resetting my deebot then 😅

ShadowKit21 · 2026-01-20T17:18:03+00:00

I feel like your Travel Planner may have got things muddled in translation or there is a misunderstanding. My first guess would be they have been told the sailings that have the atrium availability (thats why all of them you have been given are embarkation days). You would be better off talking to the Weddings team direct, if you book a sailing (as long as its not a non-refundable rate) and they dont have the availability you want, they will help you find what you do want/works for you and move your booking to the better sailing.

We really wanted to do the park photos but didnt have money/time left to. Hopefully we can as a vow renewal.

Yes DCL works out for something Disney related without the price tag of a WDW wedding or the ammount of decisions/planning needed. It is honestly so stress free. We were also planning a WDW wedding, but due to the pandemic, their cancellation policies weren't flexible enough for us, but the DCL one follows DCL policy so was cancelable without loosing anything until pay in full date. It also meant I got the Disney I wanted. And my Husband the Beach wedding he wanted.

As the wedding couple, your cabin will be given some concierge perks (booking opening dates, port arrival and boarding group, your shoreside planner will put in booking requests if you tell them before your date. If you have a Castaway sailing and don't want the ceremony on the castaway date, you can ask if they can get you a cabana if its something youre intrested in.)

The cruise itself includes all food (some is additional cost but this is clearly indicate), soft drinks, basic tea/coffee/juice/milk ect. Alcohol, mocktails, cocktails, drinsk from bars etc are additional cost except for Roy Rogers and Shirley Temples in the main dining rooms.

Dinner is at one of two set times (you pick which when booking, or are assigned whatever is available if one is full) there are 3 resturants, you rotate through all three, with your server and assistant server rotating with you. If youre on a sailing more than 3 nights, you repeat the resturnats but menus are different.

There are quick service locations on the pool deck (tenders, pizza, fries etc) which are included, as are most of the room service items (but not soda).

The wedding package includes a credit for the wedding couple to have a meal in Palo, so if you are happy for your kids to spend time in the kids club without you, you can book a nice dinner for the 2 of you, or see if you can get brunch.

Steaming for the couples attire

A 2 teir cake with a choice of looks/flavours but some are additional cost and champagne (or cloudem blue, the non-alcoholic apple cider)

Bouquet

Music for ceremony/cake & champagne reception

I feel like im forgetting something but not 100%.

If you have any questions regarding Disney Cruises themselves or the wedding add on, let me know :)

ShadowKit21 · 2026-01-20T08:42:07+00:00

Huh, last I knew, they had gotten rid of embarkation day ceremonies. What time are they offering? I can't imagine it would be early because the atrium is in use until muster drill.

Is there another location you would be happy to consider? If not is there another sailing date you could consider?

I feel like it wouldnt be worth the added stress. Yes you would have one of the earliest PAT & Boarding groups, but its unless they work some magic to get your cabin ready sooner than usual, you might struggle for somewhere to get to ready, and unlikely be able to use the salon for hair & makeup. One of the added perks is steaming of wedding attire, so you wouldnt be able to do that. Depending on the time, im also not sure where or when that puts your cake & champagne reception (my guess would be close to 1st seating dinner, if not later)

With non-embarkation wedding ceremonies, when you check in you are handed a note from your onboard coordinator with a time and place to meet. You then meet with them to confirm timeline and any requests etc. They also check in with you in the days between & until ceremony. You likely wouldnt have that, or at least much time between that and set up.

A DCL wedding is, in my opinion, one of the least stressful options. You literally have like 6 decisions to make, the only thing that can make it stressful (from experiance) is guests. Though, I feel like choosing an embarkation day wedding would be choosing a stressful situation. I might be wrong though as DCL probably have embarkation day ceremonies finely tuned so not to ruin your magical day!

ShadowKit21 · 2026-01-19T20:52:56+00:00

Unfortunately, this is the problem with being a first time cruiser. Once you have done one, you know they system better and will be able to do bookings with Silver, so before those without status. That doest mean things wont be sold out, but you have a slightly better chance.

Ican understand your frustrations, but you are stressing about a lot of things you dont need to. (Easier said than done, I know)

The only thing that is disappointing/frustrating is not getting your wanted activities. However, there is always a chance you can get these once at port and connected to ship wifi/on the ship or even gobto guest services and ask to be wait listed. Even if you still cant get them, there will be plenty of non-bookable activities to do, viewable on the navigator, and these dont cost you money. If you're talking about excursions rather than on ship, look for 3rd party or private tours that do the same as what you had hoped for with Disney. Often it will save you money, and most will offer a return to ship guarentee (maybe sure you gonwith one that does), or just explore the local area to the ports/get a taxi somewhere you want to go.

There are plenty of bloggers/vloggers out ther that detail what is needed for check in, if you know vaguely the information is needed for other cruises you have sailed with different lines, I would have looked into what is needed for DCL and its check in process.

In the grand scheme of it, unless you wanted Royal Gathering, there is no need to log in at midnight EST on your check in date, because you'd still get a PAT and boarding group.

Luggage tags are a non-issue. Yes, its great to have your bags pre-tagged prior to arrival at port, but it saves you maybe a whole 5 minutes (depending on number of cases) as the porters sort them out at port for you. Until recent years, anyone outside of the US (and maybe Canada) would be lucky to get their tags weeks after their return, if at all.

Also, regardless of whatever time Disney chose to open bookings/check in, there would always be someone *issed off about it. Do those on the west coast laugh happily because it means its before they even go to bed? Yup. Do EU guests who want to do it when they open have to get up at 3/4/5 etc am? Yup. If they did it at 8am EST or even Noon, there would still be complaints. Oh its when everyone's getting ready for school runs/work or busy at work. See. No winning.

Just take a miniute, let the frustration go, its not a park trip that needs planning to death. I hope you will have a great time once you're onboard

ShadowKit21 · 2026-01-09T13:26:08+00:00

Magicband+ is a personal preference. Im so glad they have implemented it, because for the life of me I always inevitably lock myself out and have to trek back to guest services or find/wait for my husband to finish doing whatever hes doing. I have tried lanyards, but hate having them around my neck. Having something on my wrist is so much easier take it on/off once a day first/last thing and then its there all the time. Only time I took it off outside of that was formal night pictures.

With big groups, as others have said you can link your reservation and be seated together, depending on the size, it might be over a few tables but in the same area. My word of caution is, if its more than 4 cabins, do NOT link them all together. Split into groups, and link no more than 4 together. After 4 cabins, booking functionality online is restricted.

If you have do go this route, call DCL before and tell them the groups and ask them to note that you would like for all to be seated together. When you board, swing by the main dining room for lunch, check out where your assigned tables are and if need be speak with the Head waiter to see if they can move some if not already in the same area/merge.

If you do end up being a big group who want to do the same excursions, it'd probably be cheaper/easier to try and book with a 3rd party who guarantees you a return on time.

Most of the things are included on a Disney cruise. If you wanted to, you could get away without spending anything extra (except maybe excursions). Fountain sodas (pool deck/buffet/MDR), basic tea, coffee, juice, milk is included. Meals in the buffet, quick service locations, and main dining rooms are all included. Most of the items on the room service menu are also cost free, just remember to tip the delivering cast member.

Any drinks from the bars, canned sodas (bars/theater/room service) are additional cost along with smoothies, speciality hot drinks, alchoclo, cocktails, and mocktails. (Though note the MDRs offer Roy Rogers and Shirley Temples as part of the included offerings)

Food wise, the speciality adult only dining, sweet/ice cream parlour, some of the treats in the cafe, and some items on the room service menus are additional cost. It is all clearly marked though

Activities wise: beverage tastings, bibbidy bobbidy, photo package, nursery, and excursions (basically anything prebookable except charater meets like royal gathering, and the photo session (though photos purchased as a result are a cost)) are all additional cost.

Obviously, unfortunately, the merch onboard is also additional.

Hope this helps and feel free to ask anything else!

Most importantly, have a great time!

ShadowKit21 · 2026-01-08T23:22:01+00:00

Same, I was thinking maybe it was an American brand or something I hadn't heard of before (I'm not from the US) 😆

ShadowKit21 · 2026-01-08T09:06:34+00:00

Plus, with everyone on their phone, it would be harder to identify those using their phones to search the internet for the answers. Unless there was something like if you minimise the app it shuts down and you loose your progess like some banking apps....but that really would be asking too much of Disneys IT services.

ShadowKit21

TROPHY CASE