johala_reewi

On Star. Bars are open. Wine and beer ordered no problem in buffet.

Although passengers on Dawn are posting (on FB) that they are still being told there will be no bar service in Portland.

Yes. Next NCL cruise out of Southampton is Star on Sunday 21st. We will be there. Dawn is at Belfast today, then Liverpool Saturday, Portland Tuesday and back into Southampton Wednesday.

5 cruise terminals and one of them can service 2 ships if necessary. There are also extra berths for visiting cruise ships. The record is 7 cruise ships boarding at the same time. 4 or 5 cruise ships a day is not unusual this time of year.

You mean UK customs duty on alcohol. UK VAT isn't a problem for NCL.

Yes, VAT can't be a problem otherwise they would have to stop serving soft drinks too. Alcohol in the UK has had UK Duty levied on it (as well as VAT) for many years (even when the UK was in the EU) so it shouldn't have been a surprise to NCL.

That's a better option if you are in a taxi. The taxi can wait outside while you pickup. Not an option to do this at Asda.

It's as good as the Monty Python argument sketch. 😄

But UK law permits the sale of alcohol in ports provided you follow the rules. It isn't banned or prevented.

She would have to admit it wasn't the local laws themselves but how NCL went about following them.

That is prertty much what my NCL Cruise Consultant said when I asked about the situation. The local rules are constantly changing and help desk can verify. Trouble is, the UK rules haven't changed for years. Other cruise lines are serving alcohol while in UK ports. Even the Isle Of Wight car ferry serves alcohol.

Following this thread because we are on Star's 21st May cruise round Ireland.