Asawi

There is quite a lot of reading here but I really didn't find an answer. My question is not really about alcohol or whether or not alcohol is served in ports. Nor is it about tax on alcohol in UK. Also, it's not about Spain. These topics I've read up on. I'm asking about the claim that 10% VAT is added to all purchases on Mediterranean cruises. Maybe someone on a Mediterranean cruise at the moment can confirm or deny? Drinks on drinks packages?

I stumbled upon a post on Facebook that claims that there is a 10% VAT added on everything on Mediterranean cruises. I trust this place a lot more than random FB posts, so I thought I'd better ask here about it. (Google only give me results that are several years old)

Really? So how come I'm here, linked from the UK address?

I booked a British Isles cruise in Otober (Star) instead of the Canary islands one in February. It was pretty much the only one I could fit in with my schedule, but I think it's a very good choice for me and I'm excited to be able to return to Edinburgh and Inverness that I visited oh so many years ago. And to get a glimpse of other places that intrigue me. I kept my Lisbon return air ticket (from Sweden). Just changed the return date (10 Euro so no big deal) to make a 4 day visit in Lisbon since my daughter insists I'll love it there and should have done that in connection with the cruise anyway. Both the Lisbon ticket and tickets to London were cheap(ish), so I'm happy!

As for transportation, there is of course the option of public transport. I haven't traveled there by cruise ship but according to Google Maps the regular bus stop is only about 500 meters from the terminal. I'm saying this fully aware that it's not an option for everyone but maybe for some.

Possibly it doesn't show up in that particular search because it's in February? Shows up for me. And it also showd up at the suggested web page. So it does look like a useful site!

I sailed Spirit May 10-17 in an inside cabin. I spent a lot of time in Spice H2O (deck 11), The great outdoors and Garden Café outdoor area (deck 12). When I wanted to be indoors for a while Spinnacker lounge was nice.

If you booked in the last few days your FreeAtSea should have been half price, 99 each.

From what I saw a couple of weeks ago: Yes you get picked up at the "Terminal". IF for some reason your not, you should not need to pay for the shuttle though. Wether or not you can get dropped off somewhere else is probably at the discretion of the excursion tour driver. I would be surprised if it would be a problem though. Having said that, I didn't actually take part in anything in Valdez. I didn't have anything booked and weather wasn't good so I stayed onboard and had a nice relaxing day watching hat went on outside.

I really don't know anything about this. But my gut feeling is that It would be better to make that other person in your Company the "first guest". Maybe canceling a "second guest" is better less bad than canceling "first"? As I said I really don't know, this is just a thought.

I managed to find an email address to a cruise consultant that turned out to be very helpful. He couldn't apply the 20% now, but assures me that he can do it when it comes in. So I let him make the booking. (10 days British Isles in October. Pretty much the only one I could find that works with my "life schedule" and budget. And it also sounds nice!)

Thanks for the info! Please com back if you manage to get it done! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Unfortunately I don't see mine there yet. I'm just off the phone with NCL and the person I spoke to had no clue and with the horrible sound quality I felt it useless to try to get anywhere. I guess I'll just have to wait and likely miss out on the half-price FreeAtSea off that ends Wednesday (European guests actually buy the FAS with gratuities included instead of getting it for free and pay gratuities)

So you were able to book already and get the 20%? It's supposed to be available from June 1st, but I would really like to book an October cruise right now. (I'm not in USA and I do not use a travel agent if that matters)

EXACTLY!!! Well, now until December isn't an option for me. That's why I booked January! February and March would have been fine as well, but not April. I will not be able to take advantage of the 20% and that sucks! My flight (that I booked just a few days ago - why o why...!) at least has som flexibilty so it's not a complete waste. Hotels I can cancel. (At least one good thing came out of this: It got me, a long-time lurker to register here so I could vent! LOL! I feel so much better now.)