23% Italian Tax Added to Final Bill?

Hi, could you tell me whether there are additional Italian Tax's added to your final bill. I have read on the forum that this happens. We are doing a Rome to Rome itinerary end of June and was looking to book some speciality restaurants on board.....if I can get them for the right price. But if they then put on and additional 23% Italian tax on top it would would sway me to pre book online.

If your ship stops at any Non EU port, you will generally not be charged the italian tax. However, if you purchase something while the ship is in Italian water, there is still a chance that you will be taxed...I've heard of this happening with cruises from Spain.

Found the answer to my own question in someone else's post.......will definitely buy be we go.

d. The price was always $207.68 including gratuity on the website. When she purchased onboard, BECAUSE we were in Spain, she had to pay an added tax for Spain totally $225. SO, the info I had gotten previously is not always correct. Just to give people a heads up. I was not impressed because I checked it on our Cruise Planner so many times and ended up waiting.....to pay more...... Just for your info - I'm not sure how many countries this applies to, but it did for Spain according to what they told us at Reception.

If your ship stops at any Non EU port, you will generally not be charged the italian tax. However, if you purchase something while the ship is in Italian water, there is still a chance that you will be taxed...I've heard of this happening with cruises from Spain.

Our itinerary does not go outside the EU and departs and returns to Rome, Italy. Therefore I think we would be automatically changed. If at least one of the ports was non EU, then when you get into international waters, its a way round it and we probable would avoid the additional costs. Same reason the Duty Free shop will not be open.

Our itinerary does not go outside the EU and departs and returns to Rome, Italy. Therefore I think we would be automatically changed. If at least one of the ports was non EU, then when you get into international waters, its a way round it and we probable would avoid the additional costs. Same reason the Duty Free shop will not be open.

Which ports are you visiting or if it is easier, which cruise are you taking?

I believe if you dock in Gibraltar as one of your ports it will be OK. Gib is part of the EU but outside the customs union and VAT area. I think there is also a North African port, maybe Morocco, that is often included in a cruise itinerary for the same reason.

Which ports are you visiting or if it is easier, which cruise are you taking?

Italy & Greek Island Cruise 29th June 2018

Italy & Greek Island Cruise 29th June 2018

Those cruises used to stop in Turkey to avoid this but that stopped with the problems in Turkey. It used to only be an issue in Spain but it seems that Italy has jumped on the bandwagon. Pre buying everything before your cruise is the way out.

Good to know upfront. I presume it will apply to any Premium Beverage Package upgrade costs also. This on top of the USD4 pending uplift in package prices to USD69 pppd.

Avoid to purchase on board stores while the Ship is not in international waters

Good to know upfront. I presume it will apply to any Premium Beverage Package upgrade costs also. This on top of the USD4 pending uplift in package prices to USD69 pppd.

It will apply to all onboard purchases including drinks and meals. Don’t know what happens if you have onboard credit but suspect that would be ok. You can also buy onboard credit before you board the ship at https://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/onboard/gifts-and-packages/ but I would make sure beforehand that this would avoid the vat. If not there is no point. You are actually better calling celebrity for this as the online stuff often does not work. Ask for amenities when you call.

They might charge the VAT for online purchases too. That´s what RCI does for the cruises out of Barcelona (in that case Spanish VAT of course).

steamboats

Hi, could you tell me whether there are additional Italian Tax's added to your final bill. I have read on the forum that this happens. We are doing a Rome to Rome itinerary end of June and was looking to book some speciality restaurants on board.....if I can get them for the right price. But if they then put on and additional 23% Italian tax on top it would would sway me to pre book online.

If you purchase anything while ship is docked you will pay appropriate taxes of that country. That's why the casino and shops only open when ship is at sea.

The above notice was given to passengers on the previous 10 day Italian & Greek islands cruise.

The Italian VAT is 22% btw.

You can find it as posting no. 52 on the LIVE from Celebrity Reflection 04/27/2018

Took the Reflection Rome to Rome all EU last September and someone on Cruise Critic warned us ahead of time. We purchased beverage packages, dining, internet and spa appointments all ahead of time and never paid the 22% VAT. The few things we purchased onboard we paid the VAT (in port or at sea), even though our OBC covered the purchase in the end.

As usual, Cruise Critic people shared their wisdom and saved us quite a bit of money.

The above notice was given to passengers on the previous 10 day Italian & Greek islands cruise.

 

The Italian VAT is 22% btw.

 

You can find it as posting no. 52 on the live blog covering the cruise from April 2nd

Kotor, Montenegro is the other non EU port in the Med that qualifies for a VAT free cruise (outside the Med - The Canaries, Norway amongst a few others) from next Summer UK might be on the list - still moot

I'll post it on my Roll Call, thank you everyone for your input. Thought this might be the case, so will definetly purchase the dining packages before hand.

Remember that it is not possible to claim VAT REFUNDS on meals or beverages or services, only on goods that you are taking out of the EU

Your cruise will be subject to VAT and will be applied whether in port or at sea. Drinks & Dining are charged at 10%, everything else is at 22%.

You will NOT pay the VAT on any pre cruise purchases.