Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has raised gratuities across staterooms, effective January 23.
Daily gratuities for Regular Staterooms are now $16 per guest, up from $14.50. Meanwhile, daily gratuities for Concierge Staterooms and Suites have likewise increased from $23.50 to $27.25 per guest. The new rates reflect a 10% price hike for regular cabins and a 16% adjustment for the cruise line’s more premium accommodations.
After raising gratuities in 2022, the cruise line hiked gratuities for Concierge Staterooms and Suites last October from $15.50 to $23.50. Based on the earlier fee, gratuities for high-end lodgings grew 76% in three months.
Disney Cruise Line Gratuities: Old Vs New Rates
| Previous Rate | New Rate | Percent Change | |
| Regular Staterooms | $14.50 | $16 | 10% |
| Concierge Staterooms and Suites | $23.50 | $27.25 | 16% |
The higher prices are already being implemented on Disney sailings leaving on January 23, 2025 onwards. Infants and children are also subject to the same daily fees.
Passengers who have remitted their gratuities in advance based on the previous prices won’t have to pay extra.
Who Gets a Share of the Gratuities?
According to the cruise line, gratuities are distributed among the dining room servers, dining room assistant servers, dining room head servers, and stateroom hosts. Occupants of Concierge Staterooms and Suites also reward the concierge lounge team and assistant stateroom hosts.
Here’s how the funds are divided among crew members:
- Assistant server: $4.25
- Server: $5.25
- Head server: $1.25
- Stateroom host: $5.25
- Assistant stateroom host: $1.25
- Concierge lounge team: $10.00
Additional services—such as room service, shore excursions, and dining at specialty restaurants—are not part of these gratuities and may entail separate tips. Spa and bar services, for instance, have an 18% gratuity.
DCL explains on its updated webpage, “It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of exceptional service, which you’ll receive in abundance aboard the ship.”
Why Raise Gratuities?
Aside from giving crew additional compensation, cruise lines typically raise gratuities to attract and retain skilled crew members, reward them for longer hours and demanding jobs, offset higher operational expenses, shield employees from inflation, and ensure service quality.
In 2024, Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean also began charging higher gratuities.
