Alcohol Tax on AK Cruise

[laudergayle]

I tried search and couldn’t pinpoint an answer.  When on a NCL cruise, Vancouver to Seward and reverse, via Canadian Inside passage, when are you charged tax on alcohol…and how much?

 

We have purchased the FAS+ drink package and I want to be aware of where my higher priced drinks are incurring tax.  Also, if you’re in an area where you are being taxed, are you taxed on the “free” bottle of wine you get with your Platinum dinner.

[RedwingHockeyFan]

If you are charged a tax it would be while at port.  I'm not sure if taxes are charged at Alaskan ports though.  I had posted before that there was and was shot down by other posters.  I do know that you will be charged taxes in Florida ports but I don't think that helps you much.

[lepidoptera]

I haven’t done Vancouver to Seward but I did Seattle round trip in 2021 and was only charged taxes in Seattle. And I had specialty dining right after sail away and was not charged taxes on drinks or food in Los Lobos. 

[laudergayle]

18 minutes ago, lepidoptera said:

I haven’t done Vancouver to Seward but I did Seattle round trip in 2021 and was only charged taxes in Seattle. And I had specialty dining right after sail away and was not charged taxes on drinks or food in Los Lobos. 

Thanks.  I think out of Vancouver we sail in Canadian waters…which it dawned on me that we may have drink tax.  If so, it takes a little of my planned fun away.  We’re dining in LeBistro first night and I had planned on getting the most out of FAS+ with Veuve.  🍾🥲🤣

[chengkp75]

You will be charged tax while in Vancouver.  Alaska does not have a state sales tax, though some municipalities do, including some cruise ports, but I have not heard that they require that it be charged on the ship.

[laudergayle]

4 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

You will be charged tax while in Vancouver.  Alaska does not have a state sales tax, though some municipalities do, including some cruise ports, but I have not heard that they require that it be charged on the ship.

Thanks.  If I understand you correctly, after leaving Vancouver and going through the Canadian inside passage we wouldn’t be charged tax.

[chengkp75]

4 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

Thanks.  If I understand you correctly, after leaving Vancouver and going through the Canadian inside passage we wouldn’t be charged tax.

I don't think you will be charged tax while in the Inside Passage, either.

[BirdTravels]

6 hours ago, laudergayle said:

I tried search and couldn’t pinpoint an answer.  When on a NCL cruise, Vancouver to Seward and reverse, via Canadian Inside passage, when are you charged tax on alcohol…and how much?

 

We have purchased the FAS+ drink package and I want to be aware of where my higher priced drinks are incurring tax.  Also, if you’re in an area where you are being taxed, are you taxed on the “free” bottle of wine you get with your Platinum dinner.

You are only charged tax while in Washington state waters. 
 

That being said, it takes a long time when leaving Seattle to get out of Washington state waters (well into the evening when you’re paying their tax). On return to Seattle, you will enter WA state waters in the afternoon and remain there for the rest of your cruise. 
 

There is no tax on the free platinum wine. 
 

There is no tax on Alaskan waters. 

[cruisestitch]

This is current for Celebrity Solstice June 2024

[zqvol]

1 hour ago, cruisestitch said:

This is current for Celebrity Solstice June 2024

Never saw this on Regent or Silversea which is who we sail in AK. Must be new. I wonder if it applies to beverages included in your fare. 

[royal3]

**NOTICE OF SALES TAX CODE CHANGE** This notice provides information about recent changes to the Sales Tax code resulting from Ordinance 2021-44, passed December 13, 2021 and effective January 12, 2022. A summary of the changes is shown below. Exemption: Prior to January 12, 2022, all sales of goods and services on board a cruise ship within the City and Borough of Juneau were exempt from the Juneau 5% sales tax. However, on December 13, 2021 the CBJ Assembly adopted a new Ordinance which exempts only those transactions that take place on board a cruise ship within Juneau boundaries but outside of the Gastineau Channel. Sales of goods and services on board a cruise ship that take place within the Gastineau Channel will now be subject to the Juneau 5% sales tax, and sales of alcoholic beverages are subject to the additional 3% liquor tax. For the purposes of this exemption, Gastineau Channel means that body of water adjacent to Juneau and Douglas, Alaska, North of Marmion Island, and South of the Juneau-Douglas Bridge. This exemption is intended to only exempt:  Sales of goods which are paid for by a passenger and delivered to the passenger on board the cruise ship while the ship is within the City and Borough Boundaries but outside of the Gastineau Channel and,  Services which are paid for and performed aboard the cruise ship while the ship is within the City and Borough boundaries but outside of the Gastineau Channel,  Pre-cruise payments for goods and services Cruise ships are defined as commercial passenger vessels that:  Are authorized to carry more than 20 passengers and,  Provide overnight transportation for at least 20 passengers for hire and,  Are privately (non-government) operated. This exemption does not apply to:  Goods sold on day tours or daily excursion type sales,  Tours or boat charters within the City & Borough of Juneau or,  Goods or services purchased by cruise lines. Goods purchased by cruise lines for resale may be exempted from sales tax under CBJ 69.05.040(32) – Resale of Goods. For more information on the Resale of Goods exemption, please see procedure 432 of the Administrative Guidelines. Thank you for your effort in keeping in compliance with the CBJ Sales Tax code. Please contact the CBJ Sales Tax office at the email address or number above if you have any questions on this matter.

[Maanio]

Sailed Vancouver Seward and back and never paid any drinks tax even in Vancouver.

[paradyne64]

[Wayward Son]

 

It is what it is. Last August, we didn't pay an extra dime the moment we left Seattle. That included Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Victoria.

 

Today may be completely different.