Disney Cruise Line automatically adds gratuities to your onboard account, so many people wonder why anyone bothers prepaying them. You can absolutely wait and let them post during the cruise, but there are a few reasons some guests prefer to handle them in advance.
For many families, prepaying gratuities is about budgeting. Cruise fares are often paid months ahead of time, and adding gratuities upfront makes the cruise feel more “all in” before you board. This can help avoid a larger balance at the end of the trip, especially if you are also spending on excursions, drinks, or onboard activities.
Prepaying also reduces what hits your onboard account. Since gratuities post automatically and your credit card is charged once you reach certain spending thresholds, having them prepaid can keep those mid cruise charges lower and more predictable.
Another reason is simplicity. Some people just like knowing everything is settled before embarkation so they do not have to think about it during the cruise or worry about adjusting their final bill.
That said, there is no requirement to prepay. If you prefer to wait, the gratuities will be added to your onboard account automatically, and you can always adjust the amount at Guest Services if you choose. Both options work equally well, so it really comes down to how you prefer to manage your cruise budget and onboard charges.
