Jamaica departure tax

[newbiewaves]

Cant find much on this however seems even if boarding a cruise out of Montego Bay you pay the US$35 departure tax when returning home. In some info Thomson convert this to approx £14 pp however with rates now this is close to £35 pp simply to fly out of their airport. All good fun.....

[Vitalsign]

I have sailed into and out of Montego Bay 6 times with Thomson and no exit fee is payable on flying home from the airport if you're on cruise only. However it is payable if you cruise and stay

[shintaro]

agree with above, nothing payable when we did 2 back to backs out of Montego Ba

[newbiewaves]

Thanks, it is a B2B with Jamaica again in the middle. Hmmm maybe generic info on paperwork so guess better check as dont want to have to convert more than required and hold back $70 if not needed.

[newbiewaves]

no hotel stay just to clarify.

[WeeCountyMan]

We flew to and from Jamacia on first (Princess) cruise, don't remember anything about additional tax(es) - presumably would have been included in the overall cruise costs, if applicable.

 

Saw nothing of Montego Bay except through the coach window to and from the airport to the cruise terminal.

Edited November 24, 2016 by WeeCountyMan
grammar

[newbiewaves]

From a Thomson website

 

Will I need to pay departure tax when I leave my holiday destination?

You’ll need to pay a departure tax when you fly back from some of our destinations. You'll need to make sure you've got the correct money ready when you arrive at the airport for your flight home.

 

The table below shows what you need to pay and where…

 

Destination Departure Tax

Aruba Departure tax of approximately US$35 - approx. £28 per person, payable locally in US Dollars.

Dominican Republic Departure tax & tourist tax of US$20 – approx. £16 per person, including children aged 2 years and over – payable locally in US Dollars.

Jamaica Departure tax of US$35 - approx. £28 per person, including children aged 2 years and over - payable locally in US Dollars.

Mexico Departure tax of approx. 900 Mexican Pesos – approx. £45, $65 or €48 – payable locally in cash only. Scottish and Irish pounds, travellers' cheques, credit and debit cards are not accepted. This is controlled locally, and may be changed without notice.

 

If you’re travelling to Goa or Barbados the departure tax is included in the price of your holiday so you won’t need to pay at the airport.

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Wiki list it as 'leaving by air' $35 from 1 June 2016

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Jamaican news re the recent increase also refer to 'taxes on airline tickets'

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Tripadvisor intimates that Charter flight shave the tax inc in the package hence the query that Thomson specifically mention the departure tax?

 

Confusing.

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No response from Thomson as yet. Anyone returned by air at Montego Bay from a cruise only since June this year?

[WeeCountyMan]

These taxes are simply variations of state organised extortion rackets - Tony Soprano would be impressed !!!

[Vitalsign]

These charges are only for those who have stayed in a hotel you are classed as passing through. When you arrive in Montego Bay you are 'fast tracked' - I use this term loosely as you have to queue for some time - and you do not go through the main airport immigration. You leave the airport by a side door after giving a form to immigration which is completed whilst waiting in the queue to get out Anyone on your flight staying in a hotel (or first week and second on a cruise) has to go through main immigration When you arrive at the airport at the end of the cruise you are filtered through a special queue for cruise passengers only Anyone who is on your flight who has stayed in a hotel (or second week after a cruise) has to use a different queue Your passport is checked on their computer against your immigration form.

[newbiewaves]

Brilliant thanks but also assume we aren't confined to ship? / no excursions? :)

[WeeCountyMan]

Vitalsign is spot on - a very regimented transfer from airport to cruise terminal.

[Vitalsign]

Yes you can do excursions and do anything on your own If you like a beach try a taxi to Doctors Cave not too far away - the taxi will wait for you and bring you back to the ship whenever you want Please note this is how taxis work and it's no cheaper to go in one and get another back - you may not find one free either

Taxis do this all around the Caribbean

[newbiewaves]

arghhhhhhhhh

 

Response from Thomson

 

'Good Afternoon

 

Yes you would be required to pay the departure tax in Jamaica.

 

Kind Regards

Cruise Excursions'

 

Back to the drawing board? lol

[Vitalsign]

Sorry don't believe them we have always been fast tracked into airport for return flight and never been charged

[newbiewaves]

Sounds like another email to the desk jockey changing money to have $70 spare for no reason isn't funny or faffing about with sterling exchange.

 

Tend to believe the 'those that do (cruise)' rather than 'those that teach(reading a manual)' in this case.

[carryoncruising]

Flew back yesterday from Montego Bay after a brilliant cruise on the Dream. We were told beforehand that it would be payable at the airport on departure, but midway through the cruise we were advised that if in transit from ship to airport then NOT due. We were not charged. If however you are staying in Jamaica even just overnight then it is payable. We just wrote "in transit" on departure forms.

 

Hope that helps.

[newbiewaves]

Yes will only be in transit so thats the plan! Many thanks. Guess the desk jockey was covering themselves without bothering to get full facts...

[Jakanne1]

They probably just looked to see what came up on their computer screen. We were told by the TA that we would have to pay tax on leaving Montego Bay because they read it on their screen. After much checking, it isn't payable if you are just in transit....which you are if you are not staying in a hotel.

[Miller Cruiser]

Agree with Carryoncruising. We have also just returned from the Dream. No exit tax is payable, as you are in transit, despite what the TA tells you.

[shintaro]

arghhhhhhhhh

 

Response from Thomson

 

'Good Afternoon

 

Yes you would be required to pay the departure tax in Jamaica.

 

Kind Regards

Cruise Excursions'

 

Back to the drawing board? lol

 

 

 

Typical load of 'Bulldust' from a Thomson emploee

Edited February 1, 2017 by shintaro
selling

[elmsliebev]

Is this the same for Dominican Republic if only embarking & disembarking a cruise there (no hotel)? Thanks

[Vitalsign]

YES and every other port - nothing to pay