Tax on beverages in US ports? With Soda package..

[Roz-DKcruiser]

Can anyone tell me if this is true, that if I pay for the soda package and travel from Miami, I have to pay a tax on each soda I get with my soda package - on top of gratuity and other charges? As long as the ship is in US ports or waters?

 

Copied from the Carnival website:

"*Applicable state and local sales taxes will be charged to the guest's folio when this program is used within US waters. The tax is based on the state’s tax structure and the cost of the individual drink purchased (not the daily program rate). For example: if the drink price is $2 and the tax is 10%, the guest’s Sail & Sign card will be charged $0.20 for tax. This applies to all US ports (embarkation home ports and ports-of-call)."

 

Thanks!

[firemanbobswife]

Yes it’s true.

[Roz-DKcruiser]

Bummer..

Does anyone know what the tax amount on a single soda is, then?

[firemanbobswife]

Not much. $0.20 or so.

[firemanbobswife]

Here's the thread I made the first time I experienced it this way. They used to tax the whole package if you bought it ahead of time or in Miami and didn't charge tax if you bought it out to sea.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2110226&highlight=bottomless+bubbles+tax

[Roz-DKcruiser]

Thanks!

[tallnthensome]

I can't believe people can afford to cruise yet ask constantly about tax on soda and drinks ...... Watch out for that $1.08 extra while in port, it's brutal.

[Tiger0613]

You pay tax only as long as you are in US waters. So until about 4:30pm on embarkation day.

 

Except for New Orleans. Tax will be charged until about 11:00pm or 12:00am because it takes that long to get out of the Mississippi River.

 

I don't have my final folio in front of me, but I only remember them charging the 5%(at the time) state sales tax in February 2017. In January 2018, they charged the 5% local tax as well, even several hours after we left New Orleans. For some reason they also charge one more cent in sales tax than they should(ex. math said $0.85 tax but they charged $0.86). The Louisiana state sales tax went down to 4.45% on 7/1/18, so you would likely be charged 9.45% tax while on the river.

 

In the first week of February 2018, a can of soda was $2.50. If that is still the case, the sales tax out of New Orleans should now be $0.24, but you will most likely be charged $0.25. I want to know what they do with the extra cent.

[NYcruzzer]

I can't believe people can afford to cruise yet ask constantly about tax on soda and drinks ...... Watch out for that $1.08 extra while in port, it's brutal.

 

Nothing surprises me. Recently a local law was pasted in Suffolk County (Long Island) requiring stores to charge shoppers .05 per plastic bag. Just today I saw a lady walk out of Marshall's with a bunch of clothes and a frying pan in her hands,,Didn't want to pay the nickel for a plastic bag nor or wasn't smart enough to bring a reusable bag.

[Tiger0613]

I can't believe people can afford to cruise yet ask constantly about tax on soda and drinks ...... Watch out for that $1.08 extra while in port, it's brutal.

 

I don't buy anything until the ship is in international waters, except for when cruising out of New Orleans. Tax is unavoidable on embarkation day. I know that the tax isn't much. I am just cheap on some things, but not on others.

Edited August 5, 2018 by Tiger0613

[Tiger0613]

Nothing surprises me. Recently a local law was pasted in Suffolk County (Long Island) requiring stores to charge shoppers .05 per plastic bag. Just today I saw a lady walk out of Marshall's with a bunch of clothes and a frying pan in her hands,,Didn't want to pay the nickel for a plastic bag nor or wasn't smart enough to bring a reusable bag.

 

A reusable bag is cheaper in the end, but some people don't want to pay the higher upfront cost to get one. Some people might forget to bring one because they aren't used to using one. I have ADHD. I am used to using reusable bags, but sometimes I forget to bring one due to my often short attention span.

 

I sometimes forget to bring a reusable bag to Trader Joe's, even though I go there every month. My mom and I end up sharing the bags she keeps in the trunk of her car. I remember to bring a reusable bag to Whole Foods because I don't go there much. It takes more time, planning, and thought to get there, so I am more likely to remember.

[maryred]

Actually the taxed charge in FL on a soda bought on board is $0.12 or less per can/glass.

Once out past the states claimed water rights (about 3 miles for FL) no taxed is charged on any beverage.

Other departure ports like NOLA and Baltimore the taxation is longer because those ships need to clear much more interior waters before approaching those State's ocean boundary.

[firemanbobswife]

You will also pay tax if you stop in Puerto Rico and get a drink.

[Purvis1231]

The tax on soda is less than .20 while on booze it is close a buck out of New Orleans.

[BlerkOne]

Except for New Orleans. Tax will be charged until about 11:00pm or 12:00am because it takes that long to get out of the Mississippi River.

 

I don't have my final folio in front of me, but I only remember them charging the 5%(at the time) state sales tax in February 2017. In January 2018, they charged the 5% local tax as well, even several hours after we left New Orleans. For some reason they also charge one more cent in sales tax than they should(ex. math said $0.85 tax but they charged $0.86). The Louisiana state sales tax went down to 4.45% on 7/1/18, so you would likely be charged 9.45% tax while on the river.

 

In the first week of February 2018, a can of soda was $2.50. If that is still the case, the sales tax out of New Orleans should now be $0.24, but you will most likely be charged $0.25. I want to know what they do with the extra cent.

 

AFAIK, a can of soda costs $2.25 + 15% gratuity. Not sure you would pay tax on a gratuity.

 

 

I'm pretty sure New Orleans doesn't extend to the Gulf of Mexico, so I think unlikely you would be charged local tax all the way down the river.

 

I do know the casino opens long before the Gulf. :D

[Tiger0613]

AFAIK, a can of soda costs $2.25 + 15% gratuity. Not sure you would pay tax on a gratuity.

 

 

I'm pretty sure New Orleans doesn't extend to the Gulf of Mexico, so I think unlikely you would be charged local tax all the way down the river.

 

I do know the casino opens long before the Gulf. :D

 

My mom bought a can of soda on the 1/20/18 and 1/28/18 cruises, but not on embarkation day. According to the final account statement for each cruise, each can of soda cost $2.88 including the 15% automatic tip. That is $2.50 + $0.38. She didn't tip extra.

 

I believe I was charged 5% tax on a peach daiquiri and a peach smoothie on 2/9/17. I was definitely charged 10% tax on a peach daiquiri and a peach smoothie on 1/20/18. I was definitely charged 10% tax for a peach daiquiri and a peach smoothie on 1/28/18. All were purchased before reaching the Gulf. Each peach daiquiri was purchased sometime between sailaway and 6:00pm. Each peach smoothie was purchased sometime between 9:00pm and 11:00pm. The first two cruises were on the Triumph. The third cruise was on the Dream.

[JAMST3RZ]

Just as a note it's happened to me in non us ports too, I believe nassua was one of them.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[tidecat]

I’ve even paid tax at Half Moon Cay.

 

 

Sent from my eye phone using a three legged yak FFS

Edited August 6, 2018 by tidecat
typo

[NYcruzzer]

Just as a note it's happened to me in non us ports too, I believe nassua was one of them.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I believe the Bahamian's are now charging a VAT tax on purchases. I was there New Years day and was charged a tax on all purchases in the gift shops. I guess this fee applies to ships in their port as well.

[BlerkOne]

I believe the Bahamian's are now charging a VAT tax on purchases. I was there New Years day and was charged a tax on all purchases in the gift shops. I guess this fee applies to ships in their port as well.

 

Speaking of VAT, on European cruises that don't have a port outside of the EU, VAT is charged whether in port or not. On drinks, shop purchases, specialty restaurants...

[maryred]

I believe the Bahamian's are now charging a VAT tax on purchases. I was there New Years day and was charged a tax on all purchases in the gift shops. I guess this fee applies to ships in their port as well.

Might have something to do Brexit. Would be interesting to hear from some recent cruisers to the British Virgin Island to see if the same thing is happening there.

[Havingfun2010]

Can anyone tell me if this is true, that if I pay for the soda package and travel from Miami, I have to pay a tax on each soda I get with my soda package - on top of gratuity and other charges? As long as the ship is in US ports or waters?

 

Florida state taxes are between 6% to 7% and any fraction in the middle, based on the county. The gratuity is included in the price. The tax is just something extra. I see you are from Europe. I had to pay a VAT tax on a ship also. Basically, it's the same thing. (no one likes paying taxes)

 

 

 

Copied from the Carnival website:

"*Applicable state and local sales taxes will be charged to the guest's folio when this program is used within US waters. The tax is based on the state’s tax structure and the cost of the individual drink purchased (not the daily program rate). For example: if the drink price is $2 and the tax is 10%, the guest’s Sail & Sign card will be charged $0.20 for tax. This applies to all US ports (embarkation home ports and ports-of-call)."

 

Thanks!

 

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