Free At Sea package doesn't apply in Spanish waters

[Capitan Obvious]

44 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

I am on topic.  Do you even know the T&C for UK customers?  

 

Yes, actually I do. Why do you ask? (Whether or not I know UK T&C is also off topic as this thread is about an MSN.com article).

 

For reference, the UK T&C are in post #47 of this thread and CLEARLY state that the guest is responsible for taxes. No amount of flailing or word play from anyone on this thread is going to change that.

[DCGuy64]

2 hours ago, Liljo22 said:

You won't be charged on Royal.  They pay the sales tax out of their own pocket and don't pass it through. 

No, but they charge dearly for not "passing it through." Royal's unlimited drinks package is astronomical in price ($55-95 pppd, according to the Royal Caribbean blog), far above what NCL charges ($21 when part of FAS). Personally, I'd rather pay MUCH less for the package and eat the additional VAT if/when it occurs.

[Travelling2Some]

47 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

No, but they charge dearly for not "passing it through." Royal's unlimited drinks package is astronomical in price ($55-95 pppd, according to the Royal Caribbean blog), far above what NCL charges ($21 when part of FAS). Personally, I'd rather pay MUCH less for the package and eat the additional VAT if/when it occurs.

I was thinking the same.  Better to be "nickle and dimed" on NCL than "dollared and pounded".

[Travelling2Some]

I did feel sorry for the bartenders when they had to tell each customer about the extra charge though.  All were apologetic and relived when I said no problem.  A few looked like they were going to duck and cover!  They must have been getting a lot of flack.

[Girr]

If in doubt check the daily's - it was clearly stated on the front page of every daily VAT was being imposed.

[Hizzle320]

What is the usual charge per drink for the VAT? 

[Travelling2Some]

6 minutes ago, Hizzle320 said:

What is the usual charge per drink for the VAT? 

Ten per cent of the cost of the drink.  I think I remember mostly signing for $1.10 extra on each or most of the drinks I ordered.

[Fredrik]

4 hours ago, cybergremlin said:

no charge on soft drinks from the bars/restaurants, I don’t drink Starbucks so can’t confirm if charged from them 

Starbucks was absolutely charged tax on last weeks cruise. There were signs put up in some bars on Getaway, but it was a guessing game in the restaurants when the tax was lifted for the day, could be two up to four hours from sailing from the Spanish port.

[ColdCruise]

16 hours ago, D_And_K_gocruising said:

Yep, if the local government has tax taxes or whatever you will be charged while docked drink package or not.

Will mention, when docked overnight in NYC after an Epic TA, we were billed for NYC taxes on all our drinks onboard while docked. Can’t remember if it was just NYC alcohol sales tax or also NY State’s too.

so it’s not just Spain.

[Notts1964]

19 hours ago, Girr said:

I think the answer is "it depends on the day of the week". 

 

I also sailed on the Epic in July, only originated in Rome, doing the loop via Barcelona.  At that time VAT was charged on all drinks during the entire cruise. It was not charged on the specialty meals.  

 

Since then, from what I've read is some are being charged, others not.  Now, it could be because the cruise leaves the EU for part of the cruise.  Others reported receiving a $50 credit - we did not.  

 

At this point you should be charged VAT in Barcelona (nothing new being going on for years), and I have my fingers crossed nowhere else.  

 

I'll be back on board in December sailing out of Rome doing the TA, and waiting to see how VAT is/isn't applied.

We came back from an NCL Getaway 10 night cruise 2 weeks ago. Embarked in Rome but stopped at 5 Spanish ports. Ended in Lisbon.

We were not charged VAT on our drinks package drinks or Speciality dining included in the Free at Sea at any time.

We had even been sent the email about being charged VAT in Spain prior to the cruise 🤷‍♀️

It seems NCL are not consistent with their policy of whether or not the charge VAT on the “free” drinks.

[Catchum]

22 hours ago, Girr said:

If in doubt check the daily's - it was clearly stated on the front page of every daily VAT was being imposed.

When we sailed Spain, Portugal and New York, last year we had a $50 vat bill on drinks. There was vaguely worded information on the daily saying tax would be charged according to local regulations when not in international waters. It was not possible to find out when the charges were lifted. We were charged VAT on drinks whilst playing in the casino.

[InFullertonCA]

I sailed from Tahiti to Honolulu on the Spirit in April and I did get charged taxes on my drinks while in Hawaiian waters and ports.  Here is a clip from my final invoice.....

 

04/22 Service Charge 20.00

04/22 9876 The Local 0.31

04/23 108 The Local 1.08

04/23 2910 Henry's Pub 0.66

04/23 2916 Henry's Pub 1.13

04/23 3927 Atrium Cafe 0.26

04/23 3928 Atrium Cafe 0.26

04/23 Service Charge 20.00

04/23 6385 Great Outdoors 0.93

04/23 6395 Great Outdoors 1.86