Girr

All I can say is if this suggestion was ever made to me I’d be asking to see the next in line of authority to report this wrongdoing.

I’m sorry, but for this discussion thread I don’t believe that would be their answer. The DCS has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with VAT. If people want to protest VAT then: 1) don’t sail in Spainish waters and/or 2) don’t sail NCL. To penalize the crew all because of a few dollars added daily for VAT is ludicrous.

I’m sorry, but this statement makes no sense. Cutting the pay your fellow cruise workers is not a protest.

I think someone was VERY confused - DSC has absolutely nothing to do with VAT. The DSC doesn't even have anything to do with the 20% gratuity added to FAS. I find it difficult to believe guest services would undercut their fellow workers (maybe in a moment of frustration?). Removing the DSC in lieu of VAT is so wrong on so many levels (regardless of how you feel about DSC). The behind-the-scenes workers work so hard to give us a wonderful cruise, and to reduce their DSC just because Spain is collecting VAT just does not "compute" with me.

France, so far, isn't collecting VAT from cruise ships!

1. With FAS you do not get receipt! They swipe your card and off you go. When card swiped VAT is added to your account. Again, no receipt. 2. Without FAS you get a receipt which must be signed as the entire bill is being charged to your account. 3. No one is saying the picture is fake! What we're saying is (a) the OP is confused about having FAS (see #1 & #2) or (b) FAS is not showing up on their account and they need to go IMMEDIATELY to customer services to get the account squared away. 4. I'm confused as to why VAT at 20% and 10% is being charged. 5. Please do not confuse DSC (daily fee charged for room attendants, laundry, dining, etc) with the 20% gratuity charged for the beverage package. The above is based on my experience not even two months ago on the Epic.

If you go back and look at the receipt OP posted it's appears they don't have FAS. Assumption is made based on the fact there's a 20% gratuity first, then the VAT at 20%, then VAT at 10%. Now, this doesn't make sense. It should be 10% based on what we're being told. Please don't confuse the DSC and VAT - both are very different and going two different entities.

With FAS they just swipe your card and no receipt issued and no signature. (You could request a receipt I believe). If someone at guest service recommended canceling the service charges you can be sure they don't receive a portion of them. This is so wrong. Spain has levied VAT and has nothing to do with the crew. Plus, you can't remove the 20% service charge paid up front for beverage taxes, only the daily gratuities. The 20% goes to bar personnel, so they'd still be receiving that money. While room attendants, laundry, wait staff would be significantly negatively impacted.

Norwegian Cruise Line Warns Guests of Additional Charges (cruisehive.com) I believe it's UK cruisers who received the NCL letter; however, this article details the letter and results. Please note it says VAT will be applied to beverage AND dining packages. During our July Med cruise, we were taxed the entire cruise even though we started in Rome - go figure. Also, we did not receive a $50 credit. As to removing the prepaid gratuities, please don't. As you'll read in the article the VAT is being applied by Spain (they want cruisers to pay the same taxes as on-shore visitors) - we shouldn't take money from the hard working team that takes such good care of us while cruising.

I forgot to mention I'd definitely use the second bedroom over the living room sofa. I much prefer the privacy of the second bedroom. Stayed in Owners Suite several times, and while I love them, I'd take the 2 BR if staying with someone else just to give them their "space". When travelling with my parents we normally have a DOS, and I get the sofa. The suites are fabulous, perks are great, but I really miss my own space.

The sofa bed is a pull out and is rather low (think trundle bed-8 or 10 inches off the floor). As already mentioned with a topper (or two) it's comfortable. The downside is if the occupant has any mobility issues, they could have a problem getting up. The bed fits one "comfortably" I wouldn't want two. On the Epic there's also a drop-down bed. As mentioned, the room attendants normally leave the sofa in the bed configuration. I've read others say they had the bed changed back to sofa daily, but the room attendants are so busy we just leave it as a bed. For our next cruise it's just DH and myself and plan on having the sofa left as a sofa and using the room for naps. The sofa is a great twin bed, and the dark room is ideal for nap time. When GD travels with us she likes to have the pull-down bed made up, and the sofa left alone, giving her a "studio apartment" as she puts it.

They’re not discussing a 2-bedroom, but the Garden Villa where the other two bedrooms are similar to penthouse suites.

IMO governments are trying to recoup lost revenue from COVID, and expenses travelers incur to their cities/facilities. Several other countries are testing the waters, i.e., Livorno in June only allowed wine and beer on NCL Epic for a week or two, and Greece has also had various limited alcohol sales. Plus, as already mentioned there's ports that have been charging taxes for years. I just hope they get this settled as I don't like the inconsistency.

It doesn't. I was just reading an article (different social media site) from a passenger talking about MSC charging him VAT on a Med Cruise last week. Up to this point I believe MSC wasn't charging (also keep in mind how much more MSC charges for their beverage package). IMO I think other cruise lines were absorbing, but as this goes on, if they haven't already, they'll start charging VAT.

This morning on a social media a recent Med cruiser on MSC reported he'd been charged VAT. I really believe this is a 'hit or miss" situation which there isn't one answer.

As I don't stay in a cabin that offers Sail Away this is moot, plus off topic.

I believe MSC charges $61 a day for their beverage easy package; whereas NCL FAS gratuity charge is $21. I’d say MSC can easily absorb the VAT. I’d much prefer paying $21 and a few dollars in VAT.

I can see where the title (2 Bedroom Family Villa) makes this confusing as Garden Villas do get up to six bottles, but alas, no the 2 bedroom family villas do not. Only owner suites or garden villas get the bottles.

If in doubt check the daily's - it was clearly stated on the front page of every daily VAT was being imposed.

This summer has been a totally different experience. For a short period in Livorno you could only get wine and beer. Then the VAT issue popped up next.

Others may disagree, but since the terminal has been remodeled, I'm finding it a lot more "user friendly". However, I'd still allow three hours. On our flight home in July, arriving close to three hours, our check-in gate had opened, and we quickly breezed through the initial check-in, but then ran into a major problem (DH's electric wheelchair). Thinking I'd get the problem fixed in just a few minutes I sent DH and GD ahead using airport wheelchair service. Those two were in the Delta lounge less than 45 minutes from time of arrival at airport! Now, I had to go the multiple layers getting his chair checked in (FAA approved, and we travel with it often), but Italian officials did not want to accept the chair. By the time I got done checking in the chair they were starting to board the plane. I could have had a problem if I'd arrived later.

I think the answer is "it depends on the day of the week". I also sailed on the Epic in July, only originated in Rome, doing the loop via Barcelona. At that time VAT was charged on all drinks during the entire cruise. It was not charged on the specialty meals. Since then, from what I've read is some are being charged, others not. Now, it could be because the cruise leaves the EU for part of the cruise. Others reported receiving a $50 credit - we did not. At this point you should be charged VAT in Barcelona (nothing new being going on for years), and I have my fingers crossed nowhere else. I'll be back on board in December sailing out of Rome doing the TA, and waiting to see how VAT is/isn't applied.

I’ll second going over to the Gulf Homeport page. It’s been a couple of years since I sailed out of Galveston, but I know a lot of hotels require a minimum two night stay. As mentioned IAH is 66 miles away and often bumper to bumper. Hobby is closer at about 45 miles, but also has traffic issues.

Yes, reserved seating is in the Jewel class ships.

I’ve sailed in DOSs many time, and the only “official” difference is the three bottles of alcohol, soda/water and usually a better bottle in the chiller. With that said, with the beverage package we normally end up giving the bottles away. On Jewel class ships there’s a reserved seating area in the theater, but the seating area isn’t good. Pre-Covid we normally got bridge tours and other little special treatment, but those days are gone.