extra added tax and gratuity

[insanemagnet]

The charging (or not) of VAT on the packages is rather more complex. The time of supply (Tax Point) is relevant as is the location of the supply and the taxing regime of the country (which country/location - buyer's residence or departure port?).

 

The time of supply is not relevant in determining the place of supply and thus the taxing authority, in relation to food and drink consumed as part of EU to EU transport.

 

NCL would not charge VAT if they did not have to

 

You would be surprised how often it occurs.

[anniegb]

image by single_cruiser, on Flickr

 

image by single_cruiser, on Flickr

 

image by single_cruiser, on Flickr

 

All these are pre tax and pre grats prices so add either 18% or 28% to them!

 

Compared to MSC Cocktail prices of less than $5 sailing back from South Africa with no tax - OUCH!

 

Annie

[Single Cruiser]

Thank you I take it there are separate cocktail menus ?

 

Not anymore but if they know how to make it they will.

[glittergal1]

WHAAAATTTTTTTTTTT no cocktails ????????????????????? Things are just going from bad to worse :mad: NCL are going down hill in my opinion this trip will be my last with NCL :(

[Guindalf]

WHAAAATTTTTTTTTTT no cocktails ????????????????????? Things are just going from bad to worse :mad: NCL are going down hill in my opinion this trip will be my last with NCL :(

 

Who said anything about no cocktails?

 

Look at the list above and you'll see some - unless a Bahama Mama or Long Island Iced Tea doesn't count as a cocktail! :confused:

[KeithJenner]

Not anymore but if they know how to make it they will.

 

There is a theory (I can't recall whether it was backed up by any evidence) that more expanded menus may appear soon.

[glittergal1]

Who said anything about no cocktails?

 

Look at the list above and you'll see some - unless a Bahama Mama or Long Island Iced Tea doesn't count as a cocktail! :confused:

 

well if you call that a cocktail list Im flabbergasted!!!!!!!!! My local pub has a better selection :eek:

[Single Cruiser]

There is a theory (I can't recall whether it was backed up by any evidence) that more expanded menus may appear soon.

 

I asked some bar staff onboard. They said head office wants them to serve drinks quicker hence why the simple cocktails are on the menu. We still got frozen cocktails but no menu so wouldn't know the price before asking or seeing the receipt but as I had the UBP package I wasn't fussed.

 

I think that's the std menu for open bars and that more specific menus will be at the specialist bars. Whether cocktail, mojito, real ale on Escape, wines at wine bar etc..

 

There was also a cocktail of the day advertised in the daily.

[Single Cruiser]

The frozen cocktails were just over $10 from memory. So $12 with tip. $13 when in vat port.

 

So at over £8 a drink the UBP soon costed in.

In fact I drank the equivalent cost by day 7 of 10 so was up a cpl hundred dollars over what I paid!

[suron]

Is this still the case? Someone recently reported the UK rate had gone up.

 

What was it when you booked your last cruise?

 

I have booked Epic for 19th December from Barcelona and have had the DSC added to my final invoice and will be paying £63 for the 9 day cruise. This is, I believe, a small saving. I have purchased the UDP in advance and this cost me £380.80 - sounds a lot but is I think a good deal when you consider the surcharge of 18% on every drink if bought on board without the package.

 

I do agree with other posts that MSC's drinks packages work out much cheaper - my family and I were recently on Orchestra from Dubai and we saved by taking their drinks package in advance and it was nice for the grandchildren to have drinks, milkshakes, their own cocktails and ice creams without us having to watch the pennies and surcharges had we not opted for this.

 

Suzanne (Bristol UK)

[anniegb]

WHAAAATTTTTTTTTTT no cocktails ????????????????????? Things are just going from bad to worse :mad: NCL are going down hill in my opinion this trip will be my last with NCL :(

 

Hi

 

I am with you all the way Glittergal; MSC cocktail list is far better. Only surpassed by my recent experience on HAL - they had daily cocktail sampling sessions - 3 for $9 + 15% gratuity. BTW the cocktails were the equivalent size of MSC's Cosmopolitan :) - cocktail heaven. If the bartender made too many samples - guess who had to drink them?? :)

 

Happy Days

 

Annie

[GEORGET]

So my Glenfiddich has gone up from $8.50 plus auto grats 1.28 total $9.78

 

To $9.50 plus auto grats $1.71 total $11.21.

 

Since february 2015

11.7% base price increse by NCL + WITH GRATS increase total 14.82% rise when inflation is supposed to be 2%.

 

Makes a farce of the "A 18% gratuity is included in your bill, However please use the "ADDITIONAL tip" line to recognize outstanding service

at the bottom of drinks slip.

nearly $2 a drink it better be outstanding service.

 

plus an extra 10% vat on some cruises, ouch

i can see how Ncl are increasing revenue

ps how come the new bar prices have disappeared for two posts?

[Single Cruiser]

So my Glenfiddich has gone up from $8.50 plus auto grats 1.28 total $9.78

 

To $9.50 plus auto grats $1.71 total $11.21.

 

Since february 2015

11.7% base price increse by NCL + WITH GRATS increase total 14.82% rise when inflation is supposed to be 2%.

 

Makes a farce of the "A 18% gratuity is included in your bill, However please use the "ADDITIONAL tip" line to recognize outstanding service

at the bottom of drinks slip.

nearly $2 a drink it better be outstanding service.

 

plus an extra 10% vat on some cruises, ouch

i can see how Ncl are increasing revenue

ps how come the new bar prices have disappeared for two posts?

 

And this is why the UBP at $54 + 18% tip ($64) becomes more viable. 5 Glenfiddich's and a cpl soft drinks or a beer and you've got your money worth.

[hawkeyetlse]

Since february 2015

11.7% base price increse by NCL + WITH GRATS increase total 14.82% rise when inflation is supposed to be 2%.

According to the media reports, it was the first general bar price increase on NCL since 2010. According to this US Inflation Calculator site, the cumulative rate of inflation in the US between 2010 and 2015 is 7.2%. The media reports said that the average price increase was 6.7%, but this does not include the increase to 18% auto-tip, which brings it up to 9.5%.

[GEORGET]

And this is why the UBP at $54 + 18% tip ($64) becomes more viable. 5 Glenfiddich's and a cpl soft drinks or a beer and you've got your money worth.

 

Yes but it still means the bar staff have recieved a 33% increase in tips on one drink.

thats if NCL gives this amount to them, even if you are on the UBP.

 

Trouble with the UBP is that all in the cabin have to sign up and drink that amount a day to break even.

j

 

being from the UK it is hard to realise that it is virtually compulary to tip, their way of life (usa).

Could you imagine what would happen if i was in my local and went to the bar for a £3 pint and was told it was £3 54 because they had to pull it.

J

[GEORGET]

Dining packages are non-refundable and must be purchased for the whole cruise. It can be purchased for children 13 years of age and older and adults. Please note that we charge 18% gratuity and on cruises from/to Spain and Italy

we are required to charge an additional VAT.

 

For guests that are Platinum Latitude Members there will be a discount of $20.00 off standard Ultimate Dining Package.

 

Ultimate Beverage Package

Enjoy a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass during your entire cruise.

 

Packages must be purchased by all qualifying individuals residing in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same folio for the entire length of the cruise.

 

Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Programme. Please note that we charge 18% gratuity and on cruises from/to Spain and Italy

we are required to charge an additional VAT.

$54.00 per day ($ 59.00 when booking on board) + 18% gratuity

 

Did not think that there was Vat on drinks out of Italy just 20% on goods.??

[hawkeyetlse]

Yes but it still means the bar staff have recieved a 33% increase in tips on one drink.

How do you get to that figure?

Also:

plus an extra 10% vat on some cruises, ouch

i can see how Ncl are increasing revenue

I realize it makes little difference to the customer, but charging VAT does not increase NCL's revenue (quite the opposite, in fact). Edited March 24, 2015 by hawkeyetlse

[GEORGET]

How do you get to that figure?

Also:

GLENFIDDICH Feb tip was $1.28 NOW $1.71

 

$1.28 x 33% = $1.70

j

[insanemagnet]

I realize it makes little difference to the customer, but charging VAT does not increase NCL's revenue (quite the opposite, in fact).

 

Since from reports they are overcharging by incorrectly calculating the VAT charge on UBP and UDP, and charging it when no VAT is due, I wouldn't be so certain.

[hawkeyetlse]

Since from reports they are overcharging by incorrectly calculating the VAT charge on UBP and UDP, and charging it when no VAT is due, I wouldn't be so certain.

If you really have the slightest suspicion that NCL might be incorrectly charging VAT and keeping it for themselves, why have you not contacted the tax authorities?

[KeithJenner]

Since from reports they are overcharging by incorrectly calculating the VAT charge on UBP and UDP, and charging it when no VAT is due, I wouldn't be so certain.

 

 

That would appear to be quite a strong accusation. :)

[insanemagnet]

If you really have the slightest suspicion that NCL might be incorrectly charging VAT and keeping it for themselves, why have you not contacted the tax authorities?

Because I will find out for myself in a few weeks time.

 

And the correct approach would not be the tax authority, as it would not be them who has made any error, it would be NCL.