johnjen Posted November 3, 2015 #1 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Probably one of the more interesting pieces of advice I've seen - when the ship is tied to the pier, avoid buying those fancy drinks soon as you board because they are subject to state and local taxes. Once the ship's lines are undone and the ship is underway, these taxes are no longer in effect. Is this true, or false? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted November 3, 2015 #2 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Depends on the port. True in some ports but not all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tura Lura Posted November 3, 2015 #3 Share Posted November 3, 2015 True in NYC. You pay taxes on the drinks while at the pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted November 3, 2015 #4 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Probably one of the more interesting pieces of advice I've seen - when the ship is tied to the pier, avoid buying those fancy drinks soon as you board because they are subject to state and local taxes. Once the ship's lines are undone and the ship is underway, these taxes are no longer in effect. Is this true, or false? They charge in Port CANAVERAL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted November 3, 2015 #5 Share Posted November 3, 2015 They charge in Port CANAVERAL Forgot pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted November 3, 2015 #6 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Typically true in US ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntoTheOcean Posted November 3, 2015 #7 Share Posted November 3, 2015 How does that work if you are on a drink package paid for ahead of boarding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieVisi2r Posted November 3, 2015 #8 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Typically true in US ports. Spain also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted November 3, 2015 #9 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Probably one of the more interesting pieces of advice I've seen - when the ship is tied to the pier, avoid buying those fancy drinks soon as you board because they are subject to state and local taxes. Once the ship's lines are undone and the ship is underway, these taxes are no longer in effect. Is this true, or false? Its not just until the ship is underway, it is until the ship has left the 12 mile limit. Generally, the bridge will call the purser's office when the limit is reached, and the POS machines are reprogrammed to stop charging the tax. There is no tax added for drinks purchased using a package when in port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntoTheOcean Posted November 3, 2015 #10 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Thank you chengkp75. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinfanatic Posted November 3, 2015 #11 Share Posted November 3, 2015 (edited) How does that work if you are on a drink package paid for ahead of boarding? you aren't buying anything, you already paid Edited November 3, 2015 by SeaUs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner15km Posted November 3, 2015 #12 Share Posted November 3, 2015 If I spent big $$$ for the cruise, paying tax on a few drinks won't break me.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csk Posted November 3, 2015 #13 Share Posted November 3, 2015 If I spent big $$$ for the cruise, paying tax on a few drinks won't break me.:cool: I agree!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted November 3, 2015 #14 Share Posted November 3, 2015 If I spent big $$$ for the cruise, paying tax on a few drinks won't break me.:cool: Pretty much what I was thinking. Spend big bucks on the trip and then deny myself a sail away drink for a dollar or two? I don't think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjen Posted November 3, 2015 Author #15 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Its not just until the ship is underway, it is until the ship has left the 12 mile limit. Generally, the bridge will call the purser's office when the limit is reached, and the POS machines are reprogrammed to stop charging the tax. There is no tax added for drinks purchased using a package when in port. Thanks so much....I will remember this. Come to think of it though, a drink package might not be such a bad idea.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired LEO Posted November 3, 2015 #16 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Come to think of it though, a drink package might not be such a bad idea.... It never is. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cigar King Posted November 3, 2015 #17 Share Posted November 3, 2015 If I spent big $$$ for the cruise, paying tax on a few drinks won't break me.:cool: Right on. I am so glad that I don't have to focus on minutia like this and can just relax and enjoy myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnojr Posted November 3, 2015 #18 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Probably one of the more interesting pieces of advice I've seen - when the ship is tied to the pier, avoid buying those fancy drinks soon as you board because they are subject to state and local taxes. Once the ship's lines are undone and the ship is underway, these taxes are no longer in effect. Is this true, or false? I'm not going to let a few cents stand between me and having a good time. So what if there are extra taxes for a couple of hours? Even NYC booze taxes aren't going to add up to any meaningful amount when compared with my S&S total. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyitsmema Posted November 3, 2015 #19 Share Posted November 3, 2015 I'm not going to let a few cents stand between me and having a good time. So what if there are extra taxes for a couple of hours? Even NYC booze taxes aren't going to add up to any meaningful amount when compared with my S&S total. The charge can be higher though if you buy a drink package after you board but before you sail. We usually buy drink packages once we board so we can use our OBC. We make sure we go to a table that is set up on the Royal promenade or outside the WJ that has to write up the slips by hand. Those charges aren't entered until later, so you get no tax. If it is done at a bar register, you will get taxed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTruthCanHurt Posted November 3, 2015 #20 Share Posted November 3, 2015 I agree... I am not going to let a dollar affect wether I get a drink or not.. However, you bring up an interesting point about buying a package when you first get on board.... for example the drink package or the internet package ( things of high dollar value) 8% tax of a 450 dollar drink package would be pretty high... ( not sure that would deter me.. since two drinks would almost cover what the tax would be) but.... that is an interesting point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkk W Griswald Posted November 3, 2015 #21 Share Posted November 3, 2015 We were charged tax on our Giovanni's Table meal the first night of our recent Adventure of the Seas cruise as we were still in port in San Juan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjen Posted November 4, 2015 Author #22 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I'm not going to let a few cents stand between me and having a good time. So what if there are extra taxes for a couple of hours? Even NYC booze taxes aren't going to add up to any meaningful amount when compared with my S&S total. Hey, you have your thing and I have mine...my way might sound cheap, but guess what, money is in the bank and there's no debt whatsoever because of my M.O. when it comes to being thrifty (AND having a great time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted November 4, 2015 #23 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Hey, you have your thing and I have mine...my way might sound cheap, but guess what, money is in the bank and there's no debt whatsoever because of my M.O. when it comes to being thrifty (AND having a great time). How sad to be hung up over 36 cents. Penny saved is a penny earned was a quote from when a penny meant someting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbird1 Posted November 5, 2015 #24 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Typically true in US ports. I found RCCL jumped on that in port drink sales tax very quickly. When I lived in FL I definitely remember when it started. Then a couple months later I sailed Princess, no FL sales tax. At the time I assumed it was another way RCCL was collecting extra revenue. Having said that, the other lines are all adding the tax now as far as I know. On my last Princess cruise they were onboard with the tax as well. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachgirlalways Posted November 5, 2015 #25 Share Posted November 5, 2015 The charge can be higher though if you buy a drink package after you board but before you sail. We usually buy drink packages once we board so we can use our OBC. We make sure we go to a table that is set up on the Royal promenade or outside the WJ that has to write up the slips by hand. Those charges aren't entered until later, so you get no tax. If it is done at a bar register, you will get taxed. Thanks for the tip. We had planned to use our OBC (which we have a good amount of) to pay for some of our drink package- which is why we planned on waiting until we were onboard. However, if they charge 8% on top of package for 2, a 12 night premium package is now 111.00 more. 😳. That's not pennies. Is there a way to make sure you aren't paying tax outside of windjammer? Since you have done this before Have they normally told you what the total is before you purchase? If not I will just wait until we are in international waters to buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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