Understanding how to pay for drinks on a Disney Cruise Line vacation can help you avoid unexpected charges and make ordering beverages easier once you are onboard. One important thing to know is that you generally do not pay separately with cash or a credit card every time you order a drink.
Disney Cruise Line uses an onboard account, also called a stateroom folio, for purchases made during your cruise. Charges for beverages and other onboard purchases are added to this account and settled during or at the end of the voyage. Disney says onboard purchases are generally handled through the stateroom folio rather than requiring payment for each individual transaction.
The amount you pay depends on the type of beverage. Many basic drinks are included with the cruise fare, while alcoholic beverages, bottled water, specialty coffees, smoothies, and certain drinks purchased in lounges or other locations cost extra.
The basic process is straightforward.
When you purchase a chargeable beverage onboard, the cost is added to your stateroom folio. The folio is connected to the payment method you provide for your onboard account.
Disney Cruise Line states that purchases such as beverages, merchandise, photography, and certain services are charged to the stateroom folio.
This means you normally do not need to carry your credit card around the ship every time you want a drink.
Before worrying about payment, it is useful to know which beverages normally do not require an additional charge.
Disney Cruise Line says complimentary options include:
Disney also states that the cruise fare includes soft drinks, coffee, and tea served at meals and at beverage stations throughout the ship.
Therefore, you may not need to pay separately for many everyday non-alcoholic beverages.
Some beverages are not included in the standard cruise fare.
Additional charges can apply to:
Disney's official beverage information confirms that alcoholic beverages and certain other drinks are charged to the stateroom folio.
Because menus and offerings can vary by ship and location, check the menu or ask a crew member whether a particular beverage has an additional charge before ordering.
One of the easiest options is to place a credit card on file during online check-in.
Disney Cruise Line lists several accepted credit cards, including:
The card on file can be used to settle charges accumulated on your stateroom folio.
Disney allows guests to use a debit card for onboard account purposes, but it recommends using a credit card when possible.
The reason is that financial institutions may place temporary holds on debit-card funds. Disney specifically warns that these temporary holds can affect the available balance in a debit account.
If you are using a debit card, make sure you have enough available funds to accommodate possible authorization holds.
Yes. Disney Cruise Line allows guests to settle onboard accounts with cash.
Onboard purchases are priced in U.S. dollars. Disney says certain major foreign currencies may be exchanged onboard for U.S. dollars, but it recommends obtaining U.S. dollars before the voyage because onboard charges may ultimately need to be settled in USD.
If you prefer cash, check the current payment and currency rules for your specific sailing before departure.
Disney Cruise Line states that guests can use a Disney Gift Card as one of the methods for settling their onboard account.
This can be useful if you have purchased Disney Gift Cards specifically for your vacation and want to use them toward onboard expenses.
Keep track of your available balance so you know how much remains for beverages and other purchases.
On eligible sailings and ships where DisneyBand+ is available, the band can make onboard purchases more convenient.
Disney says DisneyBand+ can be used to charge merchandise, specialty food, and drinks to the payment card connected to the guest's stateroom folio.
However, DisneyBand+ is not itself a separate payment account. The purchase is ultimately charged through the payment method associated with the onboard account.
Disney also notes that DisneyBand+ is available on select sailings across the fleet and is not available on the Disney Adventure.
Yes, Disney Cruise Line states that an 18% gratuity is charged for bar, beverage, wine, adult and premium dining, deck-service tabs, and spa services. These charges can be added to your onboard account.
This is important when estimating the final cost of a drink.
For example, if a beverage has a menu price of $10, an 18% gratuity would add $1.80, making the charge $11.80 before any other applicable taxes or charges.
Always check the current menu and onboard receipt because prices and policies can change.
Chargeable beverages are recorded on your onboard account.
Disney's payment system allows guests to have purchases and services charged to their stateroom folio rather than paying individually for every transaction.
Keeping track of these charges is particularly useful if several members of your family are purchasing drinks.
Reviewing your account can help you identify unexpected charges while there is still time to ask Guest Services about them.
If you provide a credit card during online check-in, Disney Cruise Line can automatically charge the card as your onboard account reaches certain credit limits.
Disney currently lists these limits based on sailing length:
Disney says that once the applicable limit is reached, the credit card can be processed automatically.
This does not mean you have necessarily spent that exact amount on drinks. The threshold applies to the overall onboard account, which can include other purchases and services.
Before leaving the ship, all outstanding onboard charges must be settled.
Disney Cruise Line says guests can settle their account using the credit card on file, another credit card, cash, a Disney Gift Card, or certain other accepted payment methods.
If you placed a credit card on file and there are no issues with the account, Disney says you generally do not need to visit Guest Services simply to settle the balance because the card can be charged automatically.
A little planning can help you control your onboard beverage spending.
If you do not need bottled water, specialty coffee, smoothies, or alcoholic beverages, take advantage of the complimentary beverage options available onboard.
Not every drink is included just because it is non-alcoholic. Disney specifically identifies certain non-alcoholic beverages, such as smoothies and specialty coffees, as chargeable.
Keep an eye on your folio throughout the cruise, particularly if multiple guests are charging purchases to the same account.
Remember that an 18% gratuity applies to beverage-related charges according to Disney's current gratuity information.
Alcoholic beverages are generally extra-cost purchases on Disney Cruise Line.
Disney's current policy states that the standard onboard drinking age is 21, with specific exceptions for certain itineraries and circumstances. A valid photo ID is required.
Guests should follow Disney's current alcohol policy and applicable local laws rather than relying on general cruise-industry rules.
Alcohol purchases are charged to the onboard account just like other applicable beverage purchases.
Disney Cruise Line has specific rules governing alcohol brought onboard.
Its current alcohol policy allows eligible guests to bring limited quantities of wine or champagne or beer under specified conditions. Spirits and liquor are subject to different restrictions, and alcohol purchased in ports may be held by the cruise line until the end of the voyage.
Because these rules can vary depending on the itinerary and are subject to change, review Disney Cruise Line's current alcohol policy before packing beverages.
Disney Cruise Line states that onboard purchases are priced in U.S. dollars (USD).
This applies to purchases such as beverages, spa services, Port Adventures, premium dining, and onboard shopping.
International travelers should check with their card issuer regarding foreign transaction fees and currency conversion.
Disney also recommends notifying your bank before traveling, particularly when using a card issued outside the United States, to reduce the possibility of declined transactions.
No. You generally do not need cash for individual drink purchases onboard. Chargeable beverages can be added to your stateroom folio and settled through your selected payment method. Disney also accepts cash for settling onboard accounts.
Some drinks are included, but not all beverages are complimentary. Soft drinks, coffee, and tea served with meals and drinks from beverage stations are among the included options. Alcoholic drinks, bottled water, smoothies, specialty coffees, and certain lounge beverages can cost extra.
Alcoholic drinks are charged to your onboard account or stateroom folio. The charge can ultimately be settled using the payment method associated with your onboard account. An 18% gratuity applies to beverage-related charges under Disney's current policy.
Disney's onboard system is designed around the stateroom folio. Instead of paying separately with your credit card for every drink, the purchase is generally charged to your onboard account, which is backed by your selected payment method.
Yes. Disney Cruise Line allows guests to settle their onboard account with cash, subject to its current currency and payment rules. Onboard charges are priced in U.S. dollars.
Disney Cruise Line lists Disney Gift Cards among the payment methods that can be used to settle an onboard account.
On eligible sailings, DisneyBand+ can be used to charge drinks and specialty food to the payment card connected to your stateroom folio. Availability varies by sailing and ship.
Bottled water is generally not included as a complimentary beverage. Disney lists bottled water among beverages that incur an additional charge.
Paying for drinks on a Disney Cruise Line vacation is designed to be relatively simple. Instead of carrying cash or a credit card for every beverage purchase, guests generally charge paid drinks to their stateroom folio. The final balance can then be settled using an accepted payment method such as a credit card, cash, or Disney Gift Card.
The most important distinction is between complimentary and chargeable beverages. Basic drinks such as soft drinks at meals and beverage stations, coffee, and tea may be included, while alcoholic beverages, bottled water, smoothies, specialty coffees, and certain lounge drinks can cost extra.
Before sailing, choose a suitable payment method, understand the current beverage policy, and remember to account for the applicable 18% beverage gratuity. That preparation makes it easier to enjoy your cruise without surprises on your final onboard bill.
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