Rule Change: Disney Cruise Line Guests To Pay Extra Fee, 18% Gratuity
Another Disney vacation perk is facing a new restriction.
Disney Cruise Line has long distinguished itself from much of the cruise industry through its generous inclusions. Guests can access entertainment, dining, character experiences, and a range of onboard amenities without constantly reaching for their wallets.
One of the most popular perks has been room service. Available around the clock, the service allows passengers to order sandwiches, desserts, snacks, and even Mickey Premium Bars directly to their staterooms. Aside from alcoholic beverages and a handful of specialty items, the menu has traditionally been included in the cruise fare.
That offering has become a favorite among families, especially those traveling with young children or guests looking to avoid crowded dining venues late at night.
As Disney Cruise Line continues to expand, however, some of its newest experiences have come with operational challenges. Increased demand, larger ships, and new guest expectations have occasionally forced the company to adjust policies after launch.
Now, passengers aboard one vessel are reporting a significant change that could alter how guests use room service moving forward.
New Charge Reportedly Added for Room Service Orders
According to recent passengers, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Adventure, will soon begin charging a $5 fee for room service deliveries.
The reported change comes after widespread complaints about lengthy wait times. Some guests have claimed that room service orders have taken more than an hour to arrive, creating frustration among passengers expecting the service standards found elsewhere in the fleet.
One fan shared details of the change on social media, writing: “Seems DCL are really shaking things up and trying to raise more money …. From next week, there will be a $5 delivery charge on room service orders on the Disney Adventure. Added to this will be an 18% auto gratuity. Breakfast orders (door hanger things) are excluded and concierge guests will not be charged. This is just for the Adventure (so far!!)”
This isn’t the first post I’ve seen about it but apparently the #disneyadventure is implementing a $5 charge for room service deliveries excluding breakfast. If this is true then I’m not surprised they went this route. Wait times for room service have reached well over an hour… pic.twitter.com/gimHKU6yRA
— Theme Park Express (@ThemeParkExpres) May 28, 2026
Reports indicate the new fee will take effect next week. Passengers have also claimed that an automatic 18% gratuity will be added to applicable room service orders.
Disney has not directly confirmed the delivery fee.
The reported change has sparked debate among cruise fans, particularly because room service has historically been viewed as one of Disney Cruise Line’s most valuable complimentary offerings.
Some guests worry that the policy could eventually expand to other ships.
“I’d hope they don’t get any ideas to add a delivery fee to the other ships… and [an] auto 18% gratuity… so for a “free” item it’s gonna be $5.90?” wrote one X user. “That $0.90 tip is even less than i leave them… but that $5 cuts into my tip fund…”
The Disney Adventure has already implemented other room service-related restrictions that differ from the rest of the fleet. Unlike other Disney Cruise Line vessels, Mickey Premium Bars are not available through room service and must instead be requested in select restaurants.
Disney Adventure Has Already Faced Several Early Challenges
The Disney Adventure occupies a unique position within the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
As Disney’s largest cruise ship ever, it features seven themed lands, the Marvel Landing attraction zone, and Ironcycle Test Run, which is both Disney Cruise Line’s first roller coaster and the longest roller coaster at sea.
The vessel is also Disney’s first ship permanently based in Asia. Sailing exclusively from Singapore, it includes several features unavailable elsewhere in the fleet, including Disney’s first castle at sea and entertainment spaces built around a large central garden.
Guests have also encountered additional premium experiences onboard.
Among them is The Lion King: Celebration in the Sky, a separately ticketed dessert party tied to the ship’s nighttime fireworks presentation. The offering is similar to the popular fireworks dessert parties available at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
The room service controversy is just one of several issues the ship has faced since entering service.
Passengers have reported concerns about mattress comfort, while Disney also made the last-minute decision to cancel a planned Captain Jack Sparrow stage production before launch.
The vessel has additionally dealt with technical difficulties that resulted in the cancellation of an entire sailing.
Character meet-and-greets created another early headache. Demand quickly overwhelmed the ship’s reservation system, with virtual queue slots disappearing almost instantly.
Disney later introduced what it called “Selfies at Sea,” limiting interactions to distanced photos. The company eventually shifted again, reintroducing character meet-and-greets without reservation requirements.
The latest room service fee appears to be another attempt to manage demand aboard a ship that operates on a scale unlike anything Disney Cruise Line has previously attempted.
What do you think of Disney’s new room service fee?
