Are port charges and taxes out of control?

[rkacruiser]

8 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Some lines do not refund even for a missed port 

 

I did not know that.  Sounds like grounds for some legal action if one wanted to invest more money into a suit than one would receive in return.  If successful.  

 

8 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Tourism taxes have always been popular with politicians because the people paying them are not their constituents.  

 

The Hotel Taxes that are charged by communities "bug" me.  But, what can I do.  I am embarrassed that my community charges such rates of "Occupancy Taxes".  State sales tax, local sales tax, occupancy taxes:  but, it doesn't seem to deter visitors.  

 

 

[ldubs]

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I did not know that.  Sounds like grounds for some legal action if one wanted to invest more money into a suit than one would receive in return.  If successful.  

 

 

The Hotel Taxes that are charged by communities "bug" me.  But, what can I do.  I am embarrassed that my community charges such rates of "Occupancy Taxes".  State sales tax, local sales tax, occupancy taxes:  but, it doesn't seem to deter visitors.  

 

 

I wish all of these add-ons were included up front in the price across the board.  I suppose where pricing is variable, like perhaps an automobile purchase, that could require some basic math.  And, maybe not practical for real estate purchases.  But for the vast majority of goods and services it would be a straightforward change. 

[navybankerteacher]

2 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

I wish all of these add-ons were included up front in the price across the board.  I suppose where pricing is variable, like perhaps an automobile purchase, that could require some basic math.  And, maybe not practical for real estate purchases.  But for the vast majority of goods and services it would be a straightforward change. 

Annoying, yes; but while you have to check things very carefully to know what is involved, I thin add-ons are better than built-in charges for taxes and fees - so you have no way of knowing how much the government (of whereever) is taking from you.

 

[ldubs]

1 minute ago, navybankerteacher said:

Annoying, yes; but while you have to check things very carefully to know what is involved, I thin add-ons are better than built-in charges for taxes and fees - so you have no way of knowing how much the government (of whereever) is taking from you.

 

 

I was especially thinking of taxes.  Include the tax in the out-the-door price too.  If I buy $10 of merchandise and the tax is $0.90, the the sticker should show the price as $10.90.   It would not be that difficult to do really.  It already happens at the gaso pump.  No reason it can't happen with the vast majority of other goods and services subject to sales tax.   

[sparks1093]

9 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I did not know that.  Sounds like grounds for some legal action if one wanted to invest more money into a suit than one would receive in return.  If successful.  

 

 

The Hotel Taxes that are charged by communities "bug" me.  But, what can I do.  I am embarrassed that my community charges such rates of "Occupancy Taxes".  State sales tax, local sales tax, occupancy taxes:  but, it doesn't seem to deter visitors.  

 

 

It is probable, if not likely, that the port being used in lieu of the scheduled port has higher fees than the one originally scheduled (but then if the missing port is replaced with a sea day...), in which case it is entirely understandable why there is no refund (except in the case of a sea day, of course). Another fee that is factored in is the one that is tacked on by CBP. They charge a fee for each passenger also, as I understand it, to help offset the cost of processing them.

 

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, sparks1093 said:

Another fee that is factored in is the one that is tacked on by CBP. They charge a fee for each passenger also, as I understand it, to help offset the cost of processing them.

Some fees charged by CBP go to CBP for their operations, some go to other government agencies;  some goes to Agriculture to pay for inspections, some goes to Army Corps of Engineers for harbor maintenance.

 

 

 

 

[sparks1093]

7 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Some fees charged by CBP go to CBP for their operations, some go to other government agencies;  some goes to Agriculture to pay for inspections, some goes to Army Corps of Engineers for harbor maintenance.

 

 

 

 

Which all goes in keeping with the regulation for the user of a government service to pay for said service versus using tax dollars to pay for it. 

[DirtyDawg]

12 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I did not know that.  Sounds like grounds for some legal action if one wanted to invest more money into a suit than one would receive in return.  If successful.  

 

 

The Hotel Taxes that are charged by communities "bug" me.  But, what can I do.  I am embarrassed that my community charges such rates of "Occupancy Taxes".  State sales tax, local sales tax, occupancy taxes:  but, it doesn't seem to deter visitors.  

 

 

Why are you embarrassed? Frankly, I'd be embarrassed if  my community didn't make visitors pay "Occupancy Taxes",  sales taxes , HST, etc. because if they didn't pay those types of  taxes I would have to pay more tax. I pay enough tax already!

[Mary229]

I am not certain but I am pretty sure that US cruise contracts have a clause for collection of additional government fees and taxes after booking and payment.  It is not something the lines can control.   UK contracts may be different since the taxes and fees are not a line item, curious, anyone know?

[Mum2Mercury]

On 10/16/2022 at 12:13 PM, ldubs said:

The worst  abuse is the "resort fees" used by many hotels.  Just a scam as far as I'm concerned.   

Let's add parking fees to that category.  I despise paying for parking on top of paying for my room!  

On 10/16/2022 at 8:25 AM, wowzz said:

Just seems a bit pointless,  as everyone must know that all the extra costs have to be factored in.

Well, you and I know --but do newbies know that taxes and port fees will possibly double the rock-bottom price advertised by the cruise ship?  

[ldubs]

Just now, Mum2Mercury said:

Let's add parking fees to that category.  I despise paying for parking on top of paying for my room!  

  

 

I disagree because the need to park a car is not applicable to all guests.  If I take a shuttle from the airport to the casino hotel, I should not be expected to help pay for someone else's need to park a car.  

[ldubs]

On 10/16/2022 at 5:25 AM, wowzz said:

I thought that might be the case. Just seems a bit pointless,  as everyone must know that all the extra costs have to be factored in.

 

I'm guessing from a marketing standpoint that low fare offer is intended to catch someone's eye and lead to a click to a website.  

[navybankerteacher]

2 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

I disagree because the need to park a car is not applicable to all guests.  If I take a shuttle from the airport to the casino hotel, I should not be expected to help pay for someone else's need to park a car.  

Agreed - having everyone pay enough to cover the costs of parking cars can be compared to building in luggage checking fees into every plane fare.

[Toofarfromthesea]

18 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

I wish all of these add-ons were included up front in the price across the board.  I suppose where pricing is variable, like perhaps an automobile purchase, that could require some basic math.  And, maybe not practical for real estate purchases.  But for the vast majority of goods and services it would be a straightforward change. 

 

I agree to the extent that these "ancillary" charges are imposed by the hotel or cruise line, like a resort fee.  But when they are imposed by a third party, as in the case of port fees and taxes, I prefer they be separately broken out.  If I'm being taxed I want to know that I am being taxed, and how much.  Same with sales tax.  I find the system where the VAT is just bundled into the price to be deceptive.

[Toofarfromthesea]

8 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

Why are you embarrassed? Frankly, I'd be embarrassed if  my community didn't make visitors pay "Occupancy Taxes",  sales taxes , HST, etc. because if they didn't pay those types of  taxes I would have to pay more tax. I pay enough tax already!

 

And those visitors do impose costs on the community.  While I think some communities go too far, in principle they are justified, IMO.

[rkacruiser]

9 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

Why are you embarrassed? Frankly, I'd be embarrassed if  my community didn't make visitors pay "Occupancy Taxes"

 

20 minutes ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

 

And those visitors do impose costs on the community.  While I think some communities go too far, in principle they are justified, IMO.

 

I am embarrassed because my community prides itself on being a "welcoming community" and then charges Occupancy Taxes for someone who wants to experience our "welcome".  Local government spends much effort (and dollars) to attract conventions to fill our ever growing glut of hotel rooms.  And, then, when successful:  "sock it to you" with the Occupancy Taxes which some parts of our community "discover" reasons to increase what had been charged.  I have no problem with Sales Taxes being charged.  But, when I get my hotel bill at check-out and see an itemized list that includes Sales Taxes, City Occupancy Tax, State Occupancy Tax, etc., what do you think my "feeling" is when I see that?  

[DirtyDawg]

30 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

I am embarrassed because my community prides itself on being a "welcoming community" and then charges Occupancy Taxes for someone who wants to experience our "welcome".  Local government spends much effort (and dollars) to attract conventions to fill our ever growing glut of hotel rooms.  And, then, when successful:  "sock it to you" with the Occupancy Taxes which some parts of our community "discover" reasons to increase what had been charged.  I have no problem with Sales Taxes being charged.  But, when I get my hotel bill at check-out and see an itemized list that includes Sales Taxes, City Occupancy Tax, State Occupancy Tax, etc., what do you think my "feeling" is when I see that?  

Fair enough. I understand your feelings on this. 

When I get my hotel bill at check-out and see an itemized list that includes Sales Taxes, City Occupancy Tax, State Occupancy Tax, etc. I think, "Good for you. Your Town, State,Provence  must understand the demand elasticity for leisure and business travel spending, and your legislators really must take care of your own taxpayers. Bravo! 

 

Edited October 18, 2022 by DirtyDawg

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

find the system where the VAT is just bundled into the price to be deceptive.

How is it deceptive ?  Your sales receipt clearly shows how much VAT you have paid.

[navybankerteacher]

4 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

 

I am embarrassed because my community prides itself on being a "welcoming community" and then charges Occupancy Taxes for someone who wants to experience our "welcome".  …

Being “a welcoming community” seems to claim that you give something to visitors - at least a delightful and clean, hopefully also safe, environment. Community efforts to create something “welcoming “ must cost something, which has to be paid for somehow. Who better to pay for it than those who get welcomed?  (Unless that “welcoming “ bit is just a bit of meaningless chamber of commerce blather.

[ldubs]

8 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

 

I agree to the extent that these "ancillary" charges are imposed by the hotel or cruise line, like a resort fee.  But when they are imposed by a third party, as in the case of port fees and taxes, I prefer they be separately broken out.  If I'm being taxed I want to know that I am being taxed, and how much.  Same with sales tax.  I find the system where the VAT is just bundled into the price to be deceptive.

 

Someone already said, I think, that tax amount should be shown on the receipt.  Or at least, if it isn't it should be.  Even if I didn't know the sales tax rate, I would not feel deceived.  It is what I pay out the door that matters.  

 

 

[ldubs]

8 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

 

I'm old enough to remember when it did NOT happen at the gas pump, and the gallon price was broken down, at the pump, into gas price, federal tax, and state and local tax.  It provided perspective when a politician criticizes gas station owners who make, e.g.,  $0.25 a gallon of gouging while the combined federal, state, and local taxes total more than a buck.

 

And the fact that people don't easily know how much tax they pay at the pump makes it easier to raise those taxes.

 

I don't remember seeing the taxes broken out at the pump.  I was a gas jockey in the early 60's.  

 

I'm aware of gaso taxes because I get ticked off these days every time I have to fill up the tank.  😀

[sparks1093]

10 hours ago, wowzz said:

How is it deceptive ?  Your sales receipt clearly shows how much VAT you have paid.

Sales tax is also recorded on our receipts. Only difference is that here you have to mentally add the sales tax to the price tag. When I'm shopping I don't even really think about it anymore, although back in the day when the boys were still living with us and money was much tighter it did matter a little bit more (and at least in my state some purchases are exempt from sales tax, such as food, medicine and clothing up to a certain amount). (And VAT is typically higher than what we pay in sales tax if memory serves so having it already calculated can be a help.)

 

I do wish that they still displayed somewhere how much in tax is paid at the gas pump, but as mentioned by not displaying it it makes it easier to raise it.

[marco]

Back to the OP's origianll inquiry......A few years ago I had the same quesiton and called and asked the line we were traveling on.  After being transfered a couple of times, I was finally told, "tht is not public information".

[ldubs]

7 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Sales tax is also recorded on our receipts. Only difference is that here you have to mentally add the sales tax to the price tag. When I'm shopping I don't even really think about it anymore, although back in the day when the boys were still living with us and money was much tighter it did matter a little bit more (and at least in my state some purchases are exempt from sales tax, such as food, medicine and clothing up to a certain amount). (And VAT is typically higher than what we pay in sales tax if memory serves so having it already calculated can be a help.)

 

I do wish that they still displayed somewhere how much in tax is paid at the gas pump, but as mentioned by not displaying it it makes it easier to raise it.

 

Seems there is a sticker on our pumps indicating the amount of tax.  I'm not entirely sure of this and it might be a state specific thing, IDK.   

  

[sparks1093]

15 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

Seems there is a sticker on our pumps indicating the amount of tax.  I'm not entirely sure of this and it might be a state specific thing, IDK.   

  

I do recall seeing it around here a few years ago. I think it was the gas stations themselves trying to increase awareness.