Tax rate on fares / onboard purchases

[elizabet]

Hello All,

 

I am trying to put together the final cost of a cruise and am wondering if anyone knows what tax rate celebrity applies to purchases (onboard and fares)? I suspect that I am not paying GST/PST on this.

 

I called the cruise line and the fellow I spoke with could give me the total of the taxes and fees (less helpful as we will likely be adding a number of packages to our fare price - dinners, internet, drinks - plus spa treatments and fitness classes), but he could not break this down for me.

 

Thank you in advance,

Elizabet

[pete_coach]

No tax on board or for purchases for things on board. To be certain you can wait till you are on board to make those purchases. It is sometimes often actually) better to wait as they have specials and go on sale on the ship. Discounts for restaurants spa, and internet are offered daily and so will the excursions, especially if they are not sold out.

PST/HST is only in Canada You pay taxes and fees for the purchase of the cruise but any products you buy on board are tax free.

Edited February 22, 2016 by pete_coach

[az_tchr]

Not exactly. Your ship cannot be in port. For example in Florida you pay sales tax on meals and beverages until the ship is 3 miles out! Spain has a similar tax scheme. Others probably do as well.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

The tax applied to your booking is listed under Taxes, fees and port costs. I have had it go down if there was a change in a port but have never had it go up.

 

If you prebook a specialty restaurant, excursion, beverage package or upgrade, etc. there are no taxes on these items, and there are no taxes if you purchase on board. No tax on purchases in the ships either, such as alcohol, watches, sundries, etc.

 

Some ports, such as Ft. Lauderdale, might require Celebrity to charge tax until the ship is in open water. Often Celebrity will wait to put the charge onto your account until after you have sailed. They've done this for us when we ordered expensive champagnes for New Years.

 

If you purchase beverages outside of a package, or spa treatments, there is an 18% gratuity added to the purchase. This is above the daily gratuity.

[elizabet]

Not exactly. Your ship cannot be in port. For example in Florida you pay sales tax on meals and beverages until the ship is 3 miles out! Spain has a similar tax scheme. Others probably do as well.

 

Huh! Is it local tax rates? That is fascinating. Kinda makes me wish I worked in a cruise line payables dept., cause that is really complicated and exciting (I am a bookkeeper). Just imagine, tax accounts in a variety of jurisdictions, managing the remittances must be a nightmare! I am totally geeking out on this.

[elizabet]

The tax applied to your booking is listed under Taxes, fees and port costs. I have had it go down if there was a change in a port but have never had it go up.

 

If you prebook a specialty restaurant, excursion, beverage package or upgrade, etc. there are no taxes on these items, and there are no taxes if you purchase on board. No tax on purchases in the ships either, such as alcohol, watches, sundries, etc.

 

Some ports, such as Ft. Lauderdale, might require Celebrity to charge tax until the ship is in open water. Often Celebrity will wait to put the charge onto your account until after you have sailed. They've done this for us when we ordered expensive champagnes for New Years.

 

If you purchase beverages outside of a package, or spa treatments, there is an 18% gratuity added to the purchase. This is above the daily gratuity.

Awesome! I appreciate the info! :)

[dkjretired]

Huh! Is it local tax rates? That is fascinating. Kinda makes me wish I worked in a cruise line payables dept., cause that is really complicated and exciting (I am a bookkeeper). Just imagine, tax accounts in a variety of jurisdictions, managing the remittances must be a nightmare! I am totally geeking out on this.

 

Yes, its local sales tax but as someone said the cruise line will often not charge until later. Stores are closed so its not really going to be a big deal. If in doubt just wait until the casino opens, then you are pretty safe.

 

In some European countries they add the VAT, I think Spain is one of them.

Edited February 22, 2016 by dkjretired