Izmir dropped?

[Zionstorm]

Correct. Only upon boarding. Any other alcohol purchased in port will be confiscated when you board and returned when you disembark.

 

 

Although, I have heard this rule is MUCH more relaxed in Europe and many people are able to carry bottles straight to rooms etc.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[ImaginationCruiseBride]

My cruise departs Spain and finishes in Greece, more complications lol

 

 

 

We are on the same cruise and have been getting tons of price drops so far ~$700 so we figure that will cover any VAT charges!

[Zionstorm]

I feel your pain. I have been a "mystery shopper" for the last two years in addition to my full time job to pay for this cruise. And I have 2 in college not to mention the household disasters that have recently come up ($1500 to re-screen our pool cage after a storm with high winds and a bathroom that needs gutting).

 

 

 

I may never get to see Turkey either, but I am getting to see Greece, which has been a lifelong dream! Who knows - maybe my next scratch off will be a winner and I will get to do it all over again, but if not I am going to have as much fun as I can on this one just in case!

 

 

I'm with you 100%. This will be our third trip to Europe in the last few years, but first European cruise. My parents first ever trip. Very very fortunate on all accounts, in that regard. You can't look at things as half full. We are all spending A LOT of time and money. Don't let one minor set back change that, and rob you of a truly memorable experience with your family. Because when you look back you won't even think about a stupid VAT charge etc. You will remember the sights, sounds and people you were with.

 

We are so stoked!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited April 7, 2016 by Zionstorm

[ImaginationCruiseBride]

I don't sail until Oct. 1 (B2B2B), so will just wait and see. If they have to cancel, it is what it is. I still feel very fortunate that I am healthy and have the means to still be able to do these cruises. I'm not a complainer, I just tend to take things in life as they come, especially if I have no control over it.

 

I don't usually spend a whole lot on board anyway and don't gamble, so if I have to pay an extra tax, I will just figure it into my budget. I had planned on getting a liter of alcohol from Bon Voyage, it may just be 2 now..LOL

 

 

 

This!

[Lil2Angelic]

It took years for us to save up for this trip. We have sacrificed movies and eating in a restaurant that doesn't have a drive thru. My youngest just got braces which we will be paying on for 16 months and this winter caught up with our gutters. I don't know if I will ever get another opportunity to do a trip like this so it's a total punch in the gut to know that something I have been dreaming about seeing for years may never happen. Yes, I am grateful to be able to see what I can but I am not getting younger or richer and my budget is stretched to the limit so another 21% on top of everything does hurt me.

 

Travlgirlmg..Please! You must, Must, MUST focus on the positive! You and your family have worked so hard for this vacation! You absolutely cannot afford to let this news ruin it! You are all going to have an amazing European cruise on a beautiful brand new ship! How many people will be able to say that they've done that in there lifetime?

 

No cruise itinerary is ever guaranteed. Adjust your spending if you have to in order to compensate for the VAT. Keep things in perspective. Look at how much you all were budgeting for spending on the ship and then figure out what the VAT would be on that.

 

For every $1000 you may be looking at around $200. $2000 would be around $400. Then ask yourself..As hard as you've worked are you going to let that dollar amount ruin your fabulous vacation?

 

You never know what the future holds. Who knows, maybe Carnival will issue an OBC. You may just happen to walk into the casino and drop a few coins..(no VAT on casino speading on your ship card by the way ;))..and hit a jackpot!

 

Please focus on what you CAN control and always find a positive. To do anything other than this is draining, and a complete waste of energy. Show your children you've got this! Positivity absolutely breeds positivity! The "law of attraction"..Google it up! It's amazing!

 

You all are going to have a "GLORIOUS" and "AMAZING" cruise!

Edited April 7, 2016 by Lil2Angelic

[ImaginationCruiseBride]

My husband was just saying, aside from all the price drops we got, the dollar has gotten stronger since we booked, so we are making money that way too, AND he just figured out how much money we are saving by not taking that excursion in Ephesus, and not eating off the ship that day, so he figures skipping Izmir even with the added VAT we are saving a little money.

 

I was whining about not getting to go to Ephesus and walk where Paul walked, when he pointed out that Paul lived in Rome and I will be walking all over where Paul walked in Rome...so....it's all unicorns and rainbows on this end again.

[trippingpara]

Travlgirlmg..Please! You must, Must, MUST focus on the positive! You and your family have worked so hard for this vacation! You absolutely cannot afford to let this news ruin it! You are all going to have an amazing European cruise on a beautiful brand new ship! How many people will be able to say that they've done that in there lifetime?

 

No cruise itinerary is ever guaranteed. Adjust your spending if you have to in order to compensate for the VAT. Keep things in perspective. Look at how much you all were budgeting for spending on the ship and then figure out what the VAT would be on that.

 

For every $1000 you may be looking at around $200. $2000 would be around $400. Then ask yourself..As hard as you've worked are you going to let that dollar amount ruin your fabulous vacation?

 

You never know what the future holds. Who knows, maybe Carnival will issue an OBC. You may just happen to walk into the casino and drop a few coins..(no VAT on casino speading on your ship card by the way ;))..and hit a jackpot!

 

Please focus on what you CAN control and always find a positive. To do anything other than this is draining, and a complete waste of energy. Show your children you've got this! Positivity absolutely breeds positivity! The "law of attraction"..Google it up! It's amazing!

 

You all are going to have a "GLORIOUS" and "AMAZING" cruise!

 

You know, usually when I'm ticked off or bummed out, the last thing I want is for some bubbly person to come by spouting off a bunch of positive "be happy" mumbo-jumbo. I'm angry dang-nab-it and let me be angry!

 

But I have to say Lil2Angelic, your post above is spot on and just what I needed! Thank you for sprinkling that little bit of sunshine on my dreary forecast.

 

But I reserve the right to go back into my closet and pout as I ponder what to do with the extra time in Athens!

 

.

Edited April 7, 2016 by trippingpara

[BaseballMomof4]

You know, usually when I'm ticked off or bummed out, the last thing I want is for some bubbly person to come by spouting off a bunch of positive "be happy" mumbo-jumbo. I'm angry dang-nab-it and let me be angry!

 

But I have to say Lil2Angelic, your post above is spot on and just what I needed! Thank you for sprinkling that little bit of sunshine on my dreary forecast.

 

But I reserve the right to go back into my closet and pout as I ponder what to do with the extra time in Athens!

 

.

 

Perhaps something that has to do with a liquid and shouting "Opa!" ?????:D

[Zacnlinc]

Has anyone seen this recent move by Carnival in regards to Canceling Izmir in the news?

 

If I were not following feeds online, I don't know when I would have found about this cancelation. It's not even on Carnival News or their News Blog.

 

My travel agent is even mum thus far as I sent her a message yesterday as an FYI since there are 19 people in my group we booked through her agency.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 7, 2016 by Zacnlinc

[theriac]

Here's what I am doing to avoid the tax: not spending a dime on board. We will now bring our own soda and our allotted 2 bottles of wine. We will forgo trying any of the new restaurants and will only watch the free movies on Lido and in our cabin. I will make any souvenir purchases only while on land where the VAT is included in the price of all items already.

 

That's ridiculous. So what you're saying is you're willing to pay the VAT, but only on land.

 

Let's say you want some sunglasses because you lost yours. They are $80 plus vat on the ship or $100 on land including the VAT. So you are willing to just spend extra money to spite Carnival who cancelled Turkey looking out for your safety?

 

Your idea is foolish.

[Lil2Angelic]

quote=trippingpara;49647211]You know, usually when I'm ticked off or bummed out, the last thing I want is for some bubbly person to come by spouting off a bunch of positive "be happy" mumbo-jumbo. I'm angry dang-nab-it and let me be angry!

 

But I have to say Lil2Angelic, your post above is spot on and just what I needed! Thank you for sprinkling that little bit of sunshine on my dreary forecast.

 

But I reserve the right to go back into my closet and pout as I ponder what to do with the extra time in Athens!

 

.

 

Lol!..Okay! "Closet time" officially granted! After all, you may need to find a little something extra in there to pack for your "extra time in Athens". ;) :D

[right trip]

My husband was just saying, aside from all the price drops we got, the dollar has gotten stronger since we booked, so we are making money that way too, AND he just figured out how much money we are saving by not taking that excursion in Ephesus, and not eating off the ship that day, so he figures skipping Izmir even with the added VAT we are saving a little money.

 

I was whining about not getting to go to Ephesus and walk where Paul walked, when he pointed out that Paul lived in Rome and I will be walking all over where Paul walked in Rome...so....it's all unicorns and rainbows on this end again.

 

Dear Bride, Paul also visited Athens. If you are going to Malta, he was there also. There is a church , Paul's Shipwrecked Church, in Valletta. It is down a side street and not marked well. Google it. I enjoyed my visit.

[LIMPIT]

We are on the same cruise and have been getting tons of price drops so far ~$700 so we figure that will cover any VAT charges!

 

 

You guys are lucky, no price drop policy within the UK

[Isasprings]

It took years for us to save up for this trip. We have sacrificed movies and eating in a restaurant that doesn't have a drive thru. My youngest just got braces which we will be paying on for 16 months and this winter caught up with our gutters. I don't know if I will ever get another opportunity to do a trip like this so it's a total punch in the gut to know that something I have been dreaming about seeing for years may never happen. Yes, I am grateful to be able to see what I can but I am not getting younger or richer and my budget is stretched to the limit so another 21% on top of everything does hurt me.

 

I agree with you!!!

[dancindukes]

We sailed Carnival Sunshine 3 yrs ago in the Med. I think our entire on board charges were $400, mostly glasses of wine with dinner or a beer. We spent most of our money in ports. Being a highly intensive itinerary we found ourselves back on the ship, eating dinner and often getting to bed early to get ready for another fabulous port day. I'm sure this will be the same. Caribbean ports we tend to have higher ships charges.

[HapEPants]

We are on the same cruise and have been getting tons of price drops so far ~$700 so we figure that will cover any VAT charges!

I guess all the price drops are on cruises after the Inaugural? I don't much care where we go, I just wanna go. This will be my first cruise, but I am traveling with two savvy cruisers on their umpteenth voyage. I've been to Europe many times and never thought I'd be interested in a "drive-by" of 8 hours or less in a city, but I'm getting excited about this!

[trippingpara]

I really hope Carnival Cancel Izmir go to another port or sea day.

 

 

Originally Posted by trvlgirlmq

It took years for us to save up for this trip. We have sacrificed movies and eating in a restaurant that doesn't have a drive thru. My youngest just got braces which we will be paying on for 16 months and this winter caught up with our gutters. I don't know if I will ever get another opportunity to do a trip like this so it's a total punch in the gut to know that something I have been dreaming about seeing for years may never happen. Yes, I am grateful to be able to see what I can but I am not getting younger or richer and my budget is stretched to the limit so another 21% on top of everything does hurt me.

 

 

I agree with you!!!

 

Isasprings...first you were calling for Carnival to drop Izmir and now you're agreeing with trvlgirlmq because she is upset that Izmir is dropped and we'll have VAT taxes to pay?

 

.

[zeenut]

Dear Bride, Paul also visited Athens. If you are going to Malta, he was there also. There is a church , Paul's Shipwrecked Church, in Valletta. It is down a side street and not marked well. Google it. I enjoyed my visit.

 

Even better are the catacombs and grotto in Rabat. Saint Paul’s Grotto is a small and intimate cave where, according to tradition, St Paul spent a few months after his shipwreck on the island. The grotto is beneath two churches: The Collegiate Church of St Paul and the smaller church of St Publius. It is a 45-minute bus ride from the Valletta bus station (located just outside the old city).

 

Also, there is St. Paul's island off the northeast coast which is the presumed site of the shipwreck. It has a statue of St. Paul in a dramatic setting. It's a bit far afield from Valletta, but you might see it as the Vista heads north to Messina

[pattyl]

Just heard from Carnival that Izmir is canceled due to safety concerns

[letsgo39]

Just heard from Carnival that Izmir is canceled due to safety concerns

 

We have been discussing this for the last 2 days.read previous pages.:D

[d-lite-n-cruisin]

I think if they remove Turkey from our October 11th sailing that the Cheers package become more economically feasible. Two sea days and the Athens departure will be primetime for drinking....

[Zacnlinc]

I think if they remove Turkey from our October 11th sailing that the Cheers package become more economically feasible. Two sea days and the Athens departure will be primetime for drinking....

 

 

 

I'm still on the fence as to if it's a go or not for us to get Cheers even with us now having 4 at-sea days! (Booked on 13-night 1st sailing)

 

Cost would be approx. $750 per person if we take it now. Even with the program being as enhanced as it has been recently, just don't think we'd even come close to drinking $100 per day. No way would we come close to the 15 drink limit as well either!

 

But it's a vacation we're checking off the bucket list, so why not just do it!!!

[Zionstorm]

I'm still on the fence as to if it's a go or not for us to get Cheers even with us now having 4 at-sea days! (Booked on 13-night 1st sailing)

 

Cost would be approx. $750 per person if we take it now. Even with the program being as enhanced as it has been recently, just don't think we'd even come close to drinking $100 per day. No way would we come close to the 15 drink limit as well either!

 

But it's a vacation we're checking off the bucket list, so why not just do it!!!

 

 

We debated but the math just doesn't make sense for us. No way we will get the full value out of it or reach the daily limit.

 

I'm fine buying a few beers and enjoying the wine on board, that we pick up in Barcelona.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[goldesq]

I'm still on the fence as to if it's a go or not for us to get Cheers even with us now having 4 at-sea days! (Booked on 13-night 1st sailing)

 

Cost would be approx. $750 per person if we take it now. Even with the program being as enhanced as it has been recently, just don't think we'd even come close to drinking $100 per day. No way would we come close to the 15 drink limit as well either!

 

But it's a vacation we're checking off the bucket list, so why not just do it!!!

If you don't think you would come close to the $100 a day, why WOULD you do it? Just because its a vacation makes no sense.....drink like you normally would and just pay for it as you go.

 

I think it might be tough to drink 10 drinks on a day when you were gone a lot for the day touring. You cant go to sleep that late or drink too much that afternoon/evening on the ship otherwise you would never be able to make it touring the NEXT day, right? Just my thoughts....

[GazW]

Looks like Carnival are looking at attempting to sort the VAT issue...

 

In response to the question:

 

"Any updates from the beards in regards to the onboard implementation of the European VAT requirements?"

 

John Heald said:

 

"nothing yet, we are working on a different port first to replace Izmir but its really tough to find one with space for us. I will keep you informed. cheers"