Especially as it is the Dawn's second docking at Southampton in a 10 day period. It has nothing to do with lack of notice. NCL have been sailing in uk waters for years they know the laws on VAT and duty they have made the choice not to pay it.
But will it be different in Belfast? The Star hasn't arrived there yet. From what the port agent is saying I would expect the bars to be closed again in Belfast. They were closed again yesterday for the Dawn in Portland.
This is what the southampton port agent had to say on the matter. To me it seems as if after all their years of cruising in the UK NCL have now decided to not pay the Duty and VAT on their alcohol served at their bars whilst in UK waters, so now it can't be served.