UBP/taxes/Caribbean

[Sugar59]

Hi Cool Cruisers; I've been reading reviews on NCL bkawy someone said U have to pay taxes on the UBP per drink. Is that true? I went on the Gem in April, 2015 for the 9 day caribbean cruise and had the UBP and wasn't charged anything, my bill was "0" at the end of my cruise. I'm going on the 12 day Caribbean cruise in Nov will I be charged taxes on my drinks if I stay with-in the $11:00 limit? I would ask NCL but they might give me the run around; I trust my cool cruisers. lol. Thanks for any info U might have. :confused:

[Sauer-kraut]

You paid your 18% when you purchased your UBP.

[Leavethekidswithmom]

There will be a NY sales tax while in state waters.

[hawkeyetlse]

You paid your 18% when you purchased your UBP.

The OP is asking about taxes, not tips. Local sales tax is charged on the menu price of drinks ordered under the UBP while the ship is docked or in the territorial waters of some ports (so we need to know where the OP is sailing from).

[Gershep]

We paid taxes while in New York and Bahamas but not in Bermuda.

[Smellytoes]

We paid taxes in Boston but not in Bermuda. It was like $0.57.

[Leavethekidswithmom]

If the casino is open for play, there's no tax.

[spidybabe]

When you purchase the UBP you pay 18% service/gratuity charge. Not tax.

When in some port you pay taxes. When on the ship the only thing you will be charged for is the taxes, until you are in international waters. On our Aug sailing for our two drinks - about $9 each, we paid $1.69 in taxes.When leaving NY it takes about 1 1/2 hours till casino and shops open-then no more tax.

Safe sailing

[JimHam4]

We paid taxes in Miami and I think the Bahamas. Don't remember paying taxes in Tortola or St Thomas but not sure.

[Sugar59]

I didn't purchase the UBP, I used the promotional code CHOB for the pkg, also I'm leaving from NY. Just wanted to know if I'll be charged taxes on my bill which was "0" on my prior cruise. I have my confirmation form which states "0" already. I think I'll be fine. Thanks cruisers. I'll let U know when I get back if I was charged anything.

[JimHam4]

I didn't purchase the UBP, I used the promotional code CHOB for the pkg, also I'm leaving from NY. Just wanted to know if I'll be charged taxes on my bill which was "0" on my prior cruise. I have my confirmation form which states "0" already. I think I'll be fine. Thanks cruisers. I'll let U know when I get back if I was charged anything.

 

We used the same code when we booked. Everything was zeroes for us too but we still paid the taxes on our drinks when in certain ports. Enjoy your trip, taxes certainly didn't ruin ours!

[LrgPizza]

I didn't purchase the UBP, I used the promotional code CHOB for the pkg, also I'm leaving from NY. Just wanted to know if I'll be charged taxes on my bill which was "0" on my prior cruise. I have my confirmation form which states "0" already. I think I'll be fine. Thanks cruisers. I'll let U know when I get back if I was charged anything.

It has nothing to do with whether or not you have the beverage package, how you got it, are paying as you go, etc. You will be charged NY State tax on drinks that are purchased in port before you sail.

[jdemps]

Does anyone know what the taxes are sailing out of NOLA during that long river cruise before we hit the gulf? I've heard it's about 8-12 hours to get to the gulf so if we are charged taxes the whole time, that might add up. thanks.

[cruiseelady]

I paid taxes in Bahamas port and Port Canaveral

[LrgPizza]

Does anyone know what the taxes are sailing out of NOLA during that long river cruise before we hit the gulf? I've heard it's about 8-12 hours to get to the gulf so if we are charged taxes the whole time, that might add up. thanks.

 

google Louisiana sales tax

Edited September 11, 2015 by LrgPizza

[Sugar59]

We used the same code when we booked. Everything was zeroes for us too but we still paid the taxes on our drinks when in certain ports. Enjoy your trip, taxes certainly didn't ruin ours!

 

Thanks Jim-Ham at least I'm not the only one who had "zeros" on my bill, But I tried to book on NCL Vista and even with the code CHOB there was a bev. charge for a 12 day cruise in April, of $126.00 p/p, I was kinda shocked but I didn't book. I'm waiting for the price to go down, since I like leaving from NY. I'll post a note when I get back. and yes! I won't let the "Taxes" ruin my trip either. lol.

[phoenix1181]

Thanks Jim-Ham at least I'm not the only one who had "zeros" on my bill, But I tried to book on NCL Vista and even with the code CHOB there was a bev. charge for a 12 day cruise in April, of $126.00 p/p, I was kinda shocked but I didn't book. I'm waiting for the price to go down, since I like leaving from NY. I'll post a note when I get back. and yes! I won't let the "Taxes" ruin my trip either. lol.

 

That $126.00 is the 18% gratuity on the UBP.

[denatravels]

Thanks Jim-Ham at least I'm not the only one who had "zeros" on my bill, But I tried to book on NCL Vista and even with the code CHOB there was a bev. charge for a 12 day cruise in April, of $126.00 p/p, I was kinda shocked but I didn't book. I'm waiting for the price to go down, since I like leaving from NY. I'll post a note when I get back. and yes! I won't let the "Taxes" ruin my trip either. lol.

 

 

Vista is Carnival.

[JimHam4]

That $126.00 is the 18% gratuity on the UBP.

 

When we booked under the CHOB promotion it included the 18% gratuity free, I've heard that has since changed. The only thing we got charged for was on the ship when we were in a port if that port had a tax. Even if I'd had to pay the 18% gratuity it would have been a good deal.