Disney Cruise Line has made several policy changes this summer. Recently, the cruise line began limiting guests to bringing only one bottle of wine or champagne on board for the duration of their voyage. It also tightened its rules on stateroom decorations, stating that decorations can only be displayed on cabin doors.
Now, Disney Cruise Line may be making another change that could cost passengers extra on one of its newest ships. Disney Adventure will reportedly introduce a room service delivery fee. Passengers say they aren’t surprised by the move. However, some feel disappointed by what they see as a drop in value. The reported change is also gaining attention because Disney Adventure has faced criticism in recent months.
Disney Cruise Line’s Complimentary Room Service Perk May Be Changing
One of Disney Cruise Line’s most popular onboard perks has long been its complimentary room service that allows guests to order food and beverages to their staterooms 24 hours a day. However, that may soon change aboard Disney Adventure, which had its debut in March of this year.
Disney Adventure Facts:
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Maiden Voyage: |
March 10, 2026 |
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Passengers: |
4700 to 6700 |
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Weight: |
208,000 GT |
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Length: |
1,122 ft. |
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Homeport: |
Singapore |
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Voyage Types: |
3- and 4-night sailings |
According to a YouTube video by Doug Parker of Cruise News Today, passengers aboard the Adventure will be charged a $5 room service delivery fee and an additional automatic 18% gratuity.
This fee, however, does not apply to breakfast orders submitted through the door-hanger system or room service for concierge guests.
Disney Cruise Line has not publicly addressed the reported policy change, but travelers are already reacting strongly to it.
Not Everyone Is Shocked By Disney Cruise Line’s Reported Room Service Fee
Commenters reacting to the news on YouTube said they were disappointed by the reported change, but few appeared genuinely surprised.
Several pointed out that cruise lines — not just Disney — have gradually introduced fees for services that were once included in the cruise fare. One commenter lamented that “little by little,” cruise lines are moving away from the all-inclusive experience that once made cruising appealing in the first place.
Another commenter said this new fee is another example of companies looking for ways to increase revenue, describing Disney as having joined the “upcharge bandwagon.”
The automatic 18% gratuity was also largely unpopular. Commenters argued that gratuity should be optional and predicted that there would be an uptick in passengers bringing their luggage back to their staterooms themselves.
- “Little by little, the cruise lines are doing away with all the free, all-inclusive things like free room service. As these small charges add up, cruising is more expensive because it charges for many things that had been free. Sad.”
- “Disney just couldn’t resist the urge to jump on the upcharge bandwagon I see.”
- “So room service is actually no longer free. So, on top of the gratuity that is applied to the cruise, each time you order, there is another gratuity fee. Gratuity is supposed to be optional, not forced. I guess people will be taking food to their room instead of ordering.”
- “MONEY GRAB, NO SURPRISE!!!!”
While newly added fees are no surprise on cruise ships, the reaction to this one may be particularly strong because Disney Adventure has already faced scrutiny from Disney Cruise Line fans in recent months.
Disney Adventure Has Faced Scrutiny In Recent Months
While Disney Cruise Line is known for its strong customer service and family-friendly atmosphere, recent incidents involving Disney Adventure have sparked debate online.
In May, the ship experienced a technical issue, leading to the cancellation of the voyage shortly after 6,700 guests had already boarded in Singapore.
Although the cruise line provided compensation and hotel accommodations, experiences during and after disembarkation were mixed.
On Instagram, @peihankng shared that they received a stay at a five-star hotel and dining credits as part of Disney’s compensation package. They claimed to be happy with the experience despite the cruise cancellation. However, other passengers said their experiences were vastly different.
One commenter described the disembarkation process as chaotic, saying, “Not true!!! … It was chaos. Not to mention the hotel check-in was even worse. Endless chaotic [lines]. [The] elderly and children [were] tired. It was midnight and [we were] still [in the] queue. Influencers may be treated differently, but many were treated poorly.”
Additionally, shortly after the ship debuted, another guest reported dangerous overcrowding and even a “stampede” of passengers rushing into one of the onboard shows.
“The crew members walked away and made a terrible mistake. They opened the theater. A stampede happened. People pushed from every direction. I kept my kids protected, but there were even smaller kids around. Had one tripped, I hate to think what could have happened. … The show was amazing. But not worth risking our lives for,” they wrote on Reddit.
Disney Adventure is still in the early stages of its service life. However, after a canceled sailing, reports of dangerous onboard conditions, and now a potential new fee for a once-complimentary perk, some passengers are beginning to wonder whether the ship can live up to the high standards the brand is known for.
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