doone Posted March 19, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 19, 2018 My sister just returned from the Koningsdam and noticed a port charge added to their drinks they ordered while docked in Ft Lauderdale while waiting to sail. She said there was a charge for her drink, a gratuity and port charge. Is this something new as I don't recall ever seeing a port charge added to any of my drinks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliver's Bear Posted March 19, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 19, 2018 I have noticed in the Cruise Documents that while in some ports (even as far back as my first cruise in 1998), applicable taxes may be charged on purchases made in on-board facilities (bars/shops/spa, etc.). I have never experienced it, but it is noted as a possibility in the Cruise Documents, so I would not be surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted March 19, 2018 #3 Share Posted March 19, 2018 While the ship is in some ports they are required to collect sales taxes on drinks. Spanish ports are a prime example of having to charge tax (VAT). Sounds like the tax had to be collected on your sister's cruise until they got to International waters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted March 19, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 19, 2018 This is not new. Whenever we ordered a drink before we got to international waters in Florida and Washington state, we were charged a port (sales) tax. Tampa charged a higher sales tax than Ft Lauderdale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crazy For Cats Posted March 19, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 19, 2018 Several years ago when drinks cards still had a discount I ordered a card with delivery to stateroom on embarkation day. There was a port tax included which made the cost higher than the card. I changed it to at sea second day and the tax was gone and I got my savings. The card was in our room on embarkation day. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doone Posted March 19, 2018 Author #6 Share Posted March 19, 2018 Thanks, everyone, I knew you would have the answer. I guess I never noticed the charge.....or I never purchased a drink while in port, who knows, but thanks so much for the clarification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrimpboat123 Posted March 19, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 19, 2018 If you pre-order Liquor for your cruise to be consumed in your cabin, be sure to select "Delivery at Sea" to avoid taxes on the purchase. It will generally be in your room when you board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seavoyage Posted March 19, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 19, 2018 If you have pre-purchased the Signature Beverage Package when can you start using it? Do you have to wait until you are at sea? Will you be charged for drink and fees while in FLL? Thanks for any info... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfuzzy Posted March 19, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 19, 2018 (edited) I noticed that when we were docked in Brooklyn, we ordered a drink and added to the total was the 15% gratuity and sales tax. So we don't order anything until we are at sea. I don't believe the word is "port tax" but just a local sales tax, just like in a restaurant. Edited March 19, 2018 by myfuzzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted March 19, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 19, 2018 If you have pre-purchased the Signature Beverage Package when can you start using it? Do you have to wait until you are at sea? Will you be charged for drink and fees while in FLL? Thanks for any info... No. And I never noticed being charged for a "port tax", which is not the same thing as a sales tax. But, then, there are many things that I don't notice . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doone Posted March 19, 2018 Author #11 Share Posted March 19, 2018 I never noticed it either, but my sister said it said port charge, not sales tax............oh well I learned something new today, LOL.................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfuzzy Posted March 19, 2018 #12 Share Posted March 19, 2018 I never noticed it either, but my sister said it said port charge, not sales tax............oh well I learned something new today, LOL.................... Definition of port charge : : a fixed charge (as wharfage, towage, pilotage) against a ship or its cargo in port Nothing to do with beverages, that would be a "tax" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted March 19, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 19, 2018 If you buy a drink at one of the bars while the ship is in Port Everglades , you will be charged a tax from either state of Florida or city of FLL. It ha s nothing to do with H AL except they must follow the law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted March 19, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 19, 2018 I never noticed it either, but my sister said it said port charge, not sales tax............oh well I learned something new today, LOL.................... It's probably just a matter of HAL not having the category of "tax" in their system. It's probably just labeled as a port charge for lack of a better term in their computers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfuzzy Posted March 19, 2018 #15 Share Posted March 19, 2018 It's probably just a matter of HAL not having the category of "tax" in their system. It's probably just labeled as a port charge for lack of a better term in their computers. As long as the accounts are settled at the end of the day, the port gets paid and the city gets paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted March 19, 2018 #16 Share Posted March 19, 2018 It could be argued, a tax charged because a taxable item was purchased while the ship was in a port and thu s is a port charge. :) You could be right the computer(operator) didn't know how to designate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstrong Posted March 19, 2018 #17 Share Posted March 19, 2018 If you have a beverage package do they add a sales tax to drinks while in port? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted March 19, 2018 #18 Share Posted March 19, 2018 So, buying a wine package the first night in the MDR at 8 pm (with a departure of 5 pm): tax or no? Have no idea about where international waters might start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutumbojimbo Posted March 19, 2018 #19 Share Posted March 19, 2018 If you have a beverage package do they add a sales tax to drinks while in port? They probably will. We had Carnival's beverage package on our recent cruise from Mobile and paid tax on our drinks until we hit international waters. I probably would not notice if I was paying by the drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfuzzy Posted March 19, 2018 #20 Share Posted March 19, 2018 They probably will. We had Carnival's beverage package on our recent cruise from Mobile and paid tax on our drinks until we hit international waters. I probably would not notice if I was paying by the drink. Just for my information going forward...in case I get the package, If you prepay the package beforehand, I have never done the package, as I don't have the need so far, do you sign a slip for the drink? So if I am understanding correctly, IF you sign a slip for the drink (for their inventory purposes) the total should be "0". IF you get a drink in port (U.S. for example) when you sign your slip, IF you are taxed on the drink, aren't you signing to authorize the tax to your on board account? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted March 20, 2018 #21 Share Posted March 20, 2018 So, buying a wine package the first night in the MDR at 8 pm (with a departure of 5 pm): tax or no? Have no idea about where international waters might start. You will be fine. We dine at the same time and have never been charged. ;). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msrigby Posted March 20, 2018 #22 Share Posted March 20, 2018 If you have pre-purchased the Signature Beverage Package when can you start using it? Do you have to wait until you are at sea? Will you be charged for drink and fees while in FLL? Thanks for any info... Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted March 20, 2018 #23 Share Posted March 20, 2018 The situation can be even worse on some European cruises. Depending on the itinerary you might get charged a tax (often VAT tax) for everything you purchase during an entire cruise. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted March 20, 2018 #24 Share Posted March 20, 2018 You will be fine. We dine at the same time and have never been charged. ;). Thanks, Kazu. We had done this several times without problem, so good to know you have, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted March 20, 2018 #25 Share Posted March 20, 2018 It is local sales tAx, not a port charge per se Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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