Rare cruisestitch Posted September 11, 2019 #1 Share Posted September 11, 2019 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gold1953 Posted September 11, 2019 #2 Share Posted September 11, 2019 This is normal and Celebrity has no control or choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted September 11, 2019 Author #3 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Many have questions about the Spanish VAT (Especially on cruises which include Gibraltar, which ours does). and that’s why I posted this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordoncruickshank Posted September 11, 2019 #4 Share Posted September 11, 2019 I am sure it is because you are overnight in Bilbao that VAT is charged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted September 11, 2019 #5 Share Posted September 11, 2019 (edited) Good to be reminded. We were charged local sales tax on Tuscan specialty dining in SF, USA,. It was re-booked for the 15% E+ discount the night we were there overnight, They had to add the tax & never explained that,.. Now we always ask whenever we are overnight in a port if any extra charges will be applied. Edited September 11, 2019 by hcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted September 11, 2019 #6 Share Posted September 11, 2019 We're doing a 7-night Med cruise next month out of Barcelona and not stopping at any non-EU countries. I've been warning everyone on the Roll Call to purchase your food & beverage packages thru the Cruise Planner ahead of time because they will be subject to the VAT once we are on board. Most likely the VAT will include purchases in the shops when they are open. 🍷 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vtcruising Posted September 11, 2019 #7 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Thanks for the warning! We will be there in April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prish Posted September 11, 2019 #8 Share Posted September 11, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, cruisestitch said: Many have questions about the Spanish VAT (Especially on cruises which include Gibraltar, which ours does). and that’s why I posted this. Does this mean VAT is applicable even if Gibraltar is included? This is one of the ports on our May 10 Apex Iberian Peninsula sailing and I thought we’d be exempted. No overnights in any port. Thanks for clarifying 😊 Edited September 11, 2019 by prish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted September 11, 2019 Author #9 Share Posted September 11, 2019 I wish I could clarify. We have Gibraltar and I was also under the impression that it would exempt this cruise. But apparently not. Was it because of the overnight? Or something else? I will try to find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downsmead Posted September 11, 2019 #10 Share Posted September 11, 2019 It is similar to sailing out of Barcelona, irrespective of whether you are visiting a non-EU port, whilst still in Spanish waters the VAT charge applies. Though X tend to do everything on paper and put it through the tills once they have sailed out of Spanish waters to avoid the VAT. Our recent sailing with all EU ports had a 22% charge applied in the shops throughout the sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downsmead Posted September 11, 2019 #11 Share Posted September 11, 2019 This may be a specific Spanish issue as I have not come across it from other EU ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted September 11, 2019 #12 Share Posted September 11, 2019 24 minutes ago, downsmead said: This may be a specific Spanish issue as I have not come across it from other EU ports. We did a TA from Rome with a port visit to Barcelona. We were warned by the crew that while in port we would be charged the VAT on bar purchases. 🍷 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitz18 Posted September 11, 2019 #13 Share Posted September 11, 2019 What if you purchased a beverage package in advance? Do they still add the VAT to drinks at the bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted September 11, 2019 #14 Share Posted September 11, 2019 21 minutes ago, mitz18 said: What if you purchased a beverage package in advance? Do they still add the VAT to drinks at the bar? No. They add VAT only if you "purchase" a drink at the bar. You will get a slip to sign for the cost of the drink, the gratuity for the drink, and the VAT for the drink. 🍷 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitz18 Posted September 11, 2019 #15 Share Posted September 11, 2019 4 minutes ago, Wine-O said: No. They add VAT only if you "purchase" a drink at the bar. You will get a slip to sign for the cost of the drink, the gratuity for the drink, and the VAT for the drink. 🍷 Thanks - just 1 more reason for the bev pkg 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guindalf Posted September 11, 2019 #16 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Gibraltar is not in Spain (or Portugal). It is actually a UK dependancy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordoncruickshank Posted September 11, 2019 #17 Share Posted September 11, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, downsmead said: This may be a specific Spanish issue as I have not come across it from other EU ports. Afraid not. If the ship only visits EU countries, vat is due on all sales during the cruise. If it stays overnight in an EU country the VAT rate of the country you are in is applied to all sales while in port and until the ship leaves that country's waters. In this case it is the overnight stay that causes the vat as otherwise there would be no vat for the whole cruise due to the Gibraltar stop. Edited September 11, 2019 by Gordoncruickshank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordoncruickshank Posted September 11, 2019 #18 Share Posted September 11, 2019 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Guindalf said: Gibraltar is not in Spain (or Portugal). It is actually a UK dependancy! And it is not part of the EU which is why many cruises stop there to make the cruise not liable to local vat. Edited September 11, 2019 by Gordoncruickshank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordoncruickshank Posted September 11, 2019 #19 Share Posted September 11, 2019 29 minutes ago, mitz18 said: Thanks - just 1 more reason for the bev pkg 😀 As long as you didn't buy the package while in port or during an overnight stay. If the cruise does not leave the EU you have to buy the package before the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STLCRUISIN Posted September 11, 2019 #20 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Is there a VAT tax on the ships when docked in Italy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prish Posted September 11, 2019 #21 Share Posted September 11, 2019 6 hours ago, Gordoncruickshank said: And it is not part of the EU which is why many cruises stop there to make the cruise not liable to local vat. Thank you Gordoncruikshank, this is what I thought too. Porting in Gibraltar is similar to Guernsey, mainly to avoid paying VAT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted September 12, 2019 #22 Share Posted September 12, 2019 6 hours ago, STLCRUISIN said: Is there a VAT tax on the ships when docked in Italy. It depends on itinerary and whether or not your ship stops in a non-EU port. 🍷 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordoncruickshank Posted September 12, 2019 #23 Share Posted September 12, 2019 8 hours ago, prish said: Thank you Gordoncruikshank, this is what I thought too. Porting in Gibraltar is similar to Guernsey, mainly to avoid paying VAT. I really can't think of any other reason to go there unless your are looking to buy cheap cigarettes or alcohol. I have been several times and am in no rush to return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordoncruickshank Posted September 12, 2019 #24 Share Posted September 12, 2019 10 hours ago, STLCRUISIN said: Is there a VAT tax on the ships when docked in Italy. I think there is VAT in every port while the ship is docked in the EU which is why the shops do not open until after the ship has sailed and is out of local waters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted September 12, 2019 #25 Share Posted September 12, 2019 9 hours ago, Gordoncruickshank said: I think there is VAT in every port while the ship is docked in the EU which is why the shops do not open until after the ship has sailed and is out of local waters. I've not tried as we always have a drink package but prior to drink packages I bought a round of drinks in Fort Lauderdale prior to setting sail and was charged Florida sales tax. Another warning that we found out last cruise. While in Spanish waters the ship is prohibited from selling cigarettes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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