graphicguy

Here it is…ready to go!

That sounds like a great trip!

I’m with you. I consider booking an inside with no drinks, Specialty Dinners, etc a waste of money. Book a Haven cabin for $4-$5K? Money well spent!

Large rollaboard. It’s supposed to fit in the overheads. Backpack will be under the seat!

I know people who cruise literally as cheaply as they possibly can. Book out of season on older ships in inside cabins with no extras…. no drinks, no specialty dinners, no internet, etc. They take more pride in getting “a great deal” than all the other “extras” will provide. If you think about it, you get good meals in the MDRs and buffet. You get good entertainment. You are staying in a beautiful resort (albeit in small quarters) for really less than you can stay home and feed yourself! Not my thing, but some do just that and are proud of their accomplishments!

So, about 90% packed….stuff that won’t wrinkle, mainly. I keep reworking the contents….packing and unpacking. I also keep fining stuff I put in a place I needed to pack and find it. Well, it took me a couple of days to trip over it. Think I’m going to hit my goal of one (large) rollaboard and one backpack. Will have to use the ship‘s laundry service and am bringing rinseless laundry soap. Will be in the air 48 hours from now!

Thank you!!!!!! Will be following you, also. Wishing you calm waters and blue skies.

Thank you. But, this would be a first for me. I can make the most rational debate devolve into a street brawl without even batting an eye! LOL!

Take all of this, throw it in a blender, and come out with the cost of my cruise. I always look at the total out of pocket. If, as the example is being made, Royal charges 2x the drink package compared to NCL, that VAT line item doesn't even remotely come close to what it costs to drink on a Royal ship. And, adding to the out of pocket, Royal's fares tend to be higher than NCL's as a general rule of thumb. VAT doesn't matter as I'm better off financially with NCL than I am with Royal, Costa, even MSC's "Easy Package" is about 3X the price of FAS, but includes the VAT. It only includes drinks up to $10 ea. You want to move up the ladder? It's 4X the FAS package cost. Still not comparable by any stretch. As mentioned, Costa forces you to buy drinks a la carte and adds VAT on top of that. I like the way NCL does it.

I get it. It's the optics of it more than anything else. I don't get in the weeds too much when it comes to taxes. They're paid.....one way or another..by the guests. I accept that as a way of life. Just spoke to NCL directly. I have an upcoming cruise (next week) and am fortunate enough to be in the Haven. As such, we have our own concierge for all our questions. The Concierge said that Spain does indeed charge VAT on drinks while in their port(s) or in their waters. The Concierge went on to say the port authorities are really at the crux of the issue, given some enforce it, some don't. But, at the bottom line of all this, if I'm paying an extra $50 for my enjoyment of drinks while on the ship in Spain, it's not going to make that much of a difference. The cruise lines do the same when in some U.S. ports. Although, those drink taxes aren't nearly as onerous as the ones the European countries charge. Our in the U.S. are maybe ¼ of what the European VAT is.

I'm all for that. But, then the fare would be increased, like Royal does. And, I don't want to pay a blanket fee on the entire drink package just to cover the few drinks I do order. Just as an example, Royal charges 2x and more for their drink package that NCL does. I don't want that.

True…some are getting themselves tied up like a pretzel because of the VAT being charged. Pay it. Make Spain happy.

We’ve tried to explain it. No matter how much we explain it, you won’t accept it. Can’t help you any more. Good luck!

Thanks…so this same question has been going on for years. It’s not a recent question. So VAT is to be paid in Spain. Duly noted. To our European friends. You get some of my American dollars via VAT. You’re welcome!

Just looked at #44. OP was charged for drinks when drinks are included with FAS. That’s what I keep saying…something doesn’t make sense. Until we hear back from the OP with an explanation from Customer Service, the bigger issue is being charged for drinks with FAS!

I do think NCL is having issues with policy as it applies in Europe vs U.S. based itineraries. I’ve always felt that NCL’s IT has been, at best, klunky. And at worst, a roadblock. Look no further than the gyrations the restaurant schedulers have to go through just to seat you at a pre-reserved table! Or, what Customer Service has to go through just to fix an errant charge!

The receipt also shows that the OP is being charged for drinks. If it is indeed FAS, there should be no such charge. Something’s wrong….until rhe OP gets to Customer Service, we won’t have a clear explanation!

If that’s the case, using your logic, then European ports can charge VAT on the buffet, or the toilet paper, or the ice, etc.

Buffets are no charge. I think the VAT charges seem to be filled with a lot of conflicting reports. So, not sure!

But, you should only pay the VAT on what drinks you order, not what you might or might not order as paying the VAT on the entire package would make you do.

Or…..you can do like Costa does. Costa is a mainly European Cruise line….no drink package and every drink is charged a VAT. https://www.oggiabordo.com/post/costa-drinks This is just one example. Generally speaking, NCL’s FAS is the least expensive drink package of any of the major cruise lines. Some don’t want to see the extra charges for VAT (as just one example) whereas NCL uses it as a line item charged just on the drinks you order, vs the entire cost of the drink package, regardless if you have one drink or 20 drinks. Some people prefer not to see the VAT charges. They’re there, whether you see them or not. I have a hard time believing that any resident of any of the European country is NOT AWARE of the VAT. Personally, I want to see the line item for ANY tax on my cruise. There are days I’ll drink maybe 2 drinks, others I drink 10. Those days I drink 2 drinks will have less tax levied than those with 10.

Help me understand. Where are seeing VAT charged on DSC. I see the DSC charged and I see what appears to be VAT charged on drinks at the "pool bar"? Just because they are near each other on the account isn't an indication that VAT is charged on DSC. I'm not combative, just trying to walk you through what you're seeing. Believe me, I've had more than a few rounds with billing issues on all my cruises. I'm keenly aware of what is and what is not an error.

If that is indeed the case, you were charged for drinks when you shouldn't have been. Further, you were charged the full amount for wine with your dinner, when they should have only charged the amount above $15, which is the individual drink price limit for FAS. Get to Customer Service before disembarking the ship to have it rectified.

Yeah....there are details being fudged here. Not sure why, but they are. Bottom line, whether you're being charged the VAT as a separate line item, or it's included as a higher drink package price, VAT is a Europe "thing". Governments are going to get their cut. You can debate how the cruise lines should or shouldn't show it, but you're paying for it. Just because your on line account shows you paying the DSC (which is the service charge for housekeeping, bus boys, etc) that has nothing to do with the VAT Europe charges for drinks. They are two different things.

It's the VERY FIRST POST in this thread!