Drink Packages and NYC

[Nisee38]

Hello, cruising the Meraviglia out of NYC in July 2023, I saw recently that Carnival doesnt allow the drink packages to be used until day 2 of an NYC cruise, would anyone know if MSC has this same restriction? The last time I cruised from NYC it was on NCL and it was 2016, but you only had to pay taxes on drinks while in NY waters if you had the package.

 

Thanks

[CruisingFox27]

We sailed on Meraviglia out of NYC in 2019, our drinks package was active immediately on boarding and no additional taxes. I do vaguely recall some limitation on the drinks served whilst in port. Possibly on the spirits not being served.

[Hlitner]

It is a somewhat complicated issue and can happen in various ports around the world including NYC.  The problem is that the local/State governments have tax rules that apply to everything (including ships).  If you actually purchase anything while in some ports you will be charged the local/State sales tax which is almost 9%!  The State also has excise taxes on the sale/use of alcohol.  So cruise ships may have to limit their booze sales to only bottles for which they have paid the NY taxes.  In practice this can mean that many of the booze products are locked away and not available until the ship leaves NY waters.  

 

Just a warning.  If you are planning on buying a drink package upgrade you might want to ask if you will be charged the NY Sales tax!  In many cases it makes sense not to buy an upgrade until in international waters...unless a ship somehow finds a way to defer to charge until they are no longer in the port. We have been on at least two cruise lines (not MSC) where a drink package sale or upgrade (while in port) was written up on a paper receipt and not actually posted to our onboard account until later that night (when the ship was far out in International waters).  

 

Hank