Unexpected Costs !!

[Ourusualbeach]

8 minutes ago, elephant98 said:

If you are embarking your cruise in a U.S. port, you will pay sales tax on your drinks until the ship departs and enters international waters.  This is true even if you have pre-purchased a drink package.   I think this also applies to Puerto Rico, but I can't remember.   

Never paid sales tax on a drink with a pre paid drink package when sailing on Roysl from a US port. 

[elephant98]

1 minute ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Never paid sales tax on a drink with a pre paid drink package when sailing on Roysl from a US port. 

 

I could be thinking about Carnival then.  My apologies if I am incorrect.

[MandyMooToo]

1 hour ago, elephant98 said:

 

I could be thinking about Carnival then.  My apologies if I am incorrect.

Not all US ports do this but when sailing with Royal (and prepurchasing the drink package) I have never paid the tax in port.  Now when on a Carnival cruise, out of Florida, a few years ago we prepurchased the drink package and still had to pay the tax per drink.  It was less than a dollar each time so it was not much but I was still surprised since we have never been charged this tax while sailing with Royal.

[SRF]

On 1/9/2020 at 5:01 AM, snaefell said:

Must admit that I hadn't noticed that ,must look out for it next time!

 

I caught me the first time.  Then I paid attention. 🙂

 

Just used one at Heathrow this morning.  DECLINED their conversion, but they still charge 3 pounds, but I get that reimbursed.   But I have to remember, I take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station and there are fee free ATMs there.

 

BTW, the two ATM companies that I see offering their conversion are Travelex and Euronet.

 

 

Edited January 10, 2020 by SRF