Definitions for "Gratuities"
The most common form of police corruption, gifts or favors given to police officers, sometimes out of a sincere effort to thank the officers but often out of self-interest with an expectation of better police service.
Basically - tips extended to cabin attendants and dining service personnel. Dining gratuities are often automatically added to passenger accounts, particularly on those cruise lines that feature flexible dining hours and dining venues.
It is customary to tip your crew at the end of the cruise, much in the same fashion as you might a driver, waiter, or maitre 'd. Usually the tip is from 10 to 20% of the price of the cruise. Your crew is your guide, skipper, windsurfing or water- skiing instructor, chef, waiter, bartender, wine steward, maid, poker partner, even perhaps your snorkel or dive buddy and maybe even your challenger to a kayak race.