Additional TAX in UK ports now!

[luv2kroooz]

2 hours ago, macattack1111 said:

I think NCL are shooting themselves in the foot regarding the vat and also the sudden cancellation of 13 cruises on the Epic...MSC are quickly emerging in the UK  and Europe With their large ships...although the final product is night quite as good as NCL...they will certainly give NCL a run for there money with their pricing and reasonable drink packages.

Yep, NCL could just look to Costa. Costa is a fraction of what it used to be with ships being sold off and/or transferred to Carnival and rebranded under the Costa by Carnival experience.

[di T]

On 5/25/2023 at 5:51 PM, roxette said:

The European costumer laws are very strict. The price you see, should be the price you pay. No hidden fees. 

 

Like it or not. 

 

I like it.

When you purchase something including tax before getting on board there should be no extra to pay. Only NCL are doing this as far as I know. Will be sailing with two other lines in the near future and will see if anyone else is doing this, they never have on my many previous cruises.Only Norwegian.

[di T]

4 hours ago, macattack1111 said:

Can anyone tell me who has cruised recently with NCL that had ports in the EU and out of the EU For example Casablanca, Morocco did they still have to pay the VAT on all their drinks even though they had the "Free at Sea "

Yes, we sailed on two consecutive cruises in February and March we had to pay the tax and the first cruise did visit Morocco as well as EU ports.But it was the Spanish mainland we were charged for some reason Portugal had no charges or the Canary Islands.

[insidecabin]

2 hours ago, luv2kroooz said:

Yep, NCL could just look to Costa. Costa is a fraction of what it used to be with ships being sold off and/or transferred to Carnival and rebranded under the Costa by Carnival experience.

Is the Carnival brand Costa relevant to the independent MSC?

[insidecabin]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

That’s a pretty big stretch.  You bought a drink package.  They are serving you drinks included in the package.  Should they include the fees in the package?  I guess…maybe!!!!!  Can they add the tips/fees to the package and raise the price to compensate?  Sure!  Should they charge one price for drinks with fees and taxes added in while in port, and another price without those fees when out to sea?  That would seem to cause even more confusion.  But, it would satisfy this uproar.

 

Personally, I don’t care.  I’m used to having to pay taxes while in certain ports.  Many places they can’t open the casinos.  I guess I could say I wasn’t getting what they promised as a result.  But, their rules ordinarily reflect what local regulations require.

 

I guess push comes to shove, you can only sail those lines who add those charges into the cost.

 

They had plenty opportunity to notify passengers of there inability to deliver the paid product but chose not to.

 

They caved in last night.

 

Refund for lack of delivery of a paid for service and a good will gesture.

 

I will let the others argue the case for a cash refund over FCC.

[luv2kroooz]

14 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

Is the Carnival brand Costa relevant to the independent MSC?

I don't know what you are asking me, sorry. Carnival Corporation owns Costa.

[insidecabin]

Just now, luv2kroooz said:

I don't know what you are asking me, sorry. Carnival Corporation owns Costa.

I know but what's the relevance to MSC.

[luv2kroooz]

Just now, insidecabin said:

I know but what's the relevance to MSC.

MSC has pretty much taken control of the Italian market from Costa.

[insidecabin]

27 minutes ago, luv2kroooz said:

MSC has pretty much taken control of the Italian market from Costa.

 

Ok but this started about getting NCL into the UK market where MSC has been successful.

[luv2kroooz]

7 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

 

Ok but this started about getting NCL into the UK market where MSC has been successful.

I don't know, man. MSC is continuing to disrupt markets. If they are already successful in UK, great.

[mjkacmom]

On 5/25/2023 at 4:10 PM, Greener123 said:

But yet again this is only something impacting NCL, no other cruise line charges additional tax in the UK. 
 

How can you charge tax on a £0 transaction. 

They have managed to do it sailing out of Manhattan for years.

[Sinbadssailors]

Why is this tax/fee charged on the value of the drink but not the value of the dinner?

 

When both were part of the purchased package?

 

I have a problem with being charged tax on something I'm not buying at that moment in time. I'm just collecting my pre-purchased item

[graphicguy]

21 hours ago, insidecabin said:

 

They had plenty opportunity to notify passengers of there inability to deliver the paid product but chose not to.

 

They caved in last night.

 

Refund for lack of delivery of a paid for service and a good will gesture.

 

I will let the others argue the case for a cash refund over FCC.

I’m not following you.  Opportunity for what?  The taxes are being charged by the port.  Are you saying the port is refunding the taxes on drinks?

 

I would imagine it’s a cash refund as I don’t see how the port authority (or port municipality) could get into NCL’s system for FCC.  

 

Regarding MSC……I’ve sailed them, in the Mediterranean and out of FL.  Nice product.  But, both times I sailed their Yacht Club.  Clearly, they’re stronger in Europe.  The bigger cruise market sails out of the U.S.  Don’t know how well they’re faring out of the U.S. market.  I doubt very seriously they rank anywhere near the Big 3…..NCLH, CCL, RCCL and their subsidiaries.

Edited May 28, 2023 by graphicguy

[insidecabin]

3 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I’m not following you.  Opportunity for what?  The taxes are being charged by the port.  Are you saying the port is refunding the taxes on drinks?

 

I would imagine it’s a cash refund as I don’t see how the port authority (or port municipality) could get into NCL’s system for FCC.  

 

This is for the non service of alcohol 2 days during the previous cruise(11May-21May NCL have done a refund now with the apology.

 

The only report i have seen that NCL are collecting any tax is the first post on this thread and that is a second hand message with no reference to where it came from. 

 

[graphicguy]

I’m still confused.  NCL and/or the localities are refunding taxes?  Or drinks?

 

Someone made a point that they can’t charge taxes on a perk that costs “ZERO”.  Well, they can’t refund something that costs nothing.

[insidecabin]

7 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I’m still confused.  NCL and/or the localities are refunding taxes?  Or drinks?

 

Someone made a point that they can’t charge taxes on a perk that costs “ZERO”.  Well, they can’t refund something that costs nothing.

 

On the Star 11 May-21 May alcohol was refused for 2 days.
(the previous thread was closed prematurely that story is not finished)

They have now apologised and given out refunds along with some compensation for non delivery of a paid for package(they failed to perform to the contract).

 

Those that got refused on other cruises should make sure they get a refund if they got free at sea.

[graphicguy]

So, again who refunded the taxes/fees/drinks?  Is it a tax you want refunded?  I mean if the U.K. Won’t let them serve alcohol because of the taxes/fees not being collected, shouldn’t they be the ones doing the refund?

[insidecabin]

15 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

So, again who refunded the taxes/fees/drinks?  Is it a tax you want refunded?  I mean if the U.K. Won’t let them serve alcohol because of the taxes/fees not being collected, shouldn’t they be the ones doing the refund?

NCL have been the problem all along, remember it is only NCL that have had the issue.

 

The product( free at sea drinks) was paid for and forms part of the cruise contract.
NCL failed to provide that on two days they are responsible for the refund.

 

NCL have now recognized this and refunded.

 

 

[luv2kroooz]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

I’m still confused.  NCL and/or the localities are refunding taxes?  Or drinks?

 

Someone made a point that they can’t charge taxes on a perk that costs “ZERO”.  Well, they can’t refund something that costs nothing.

If they already charged and collected taxes on something that costs nothing, then this is the money that people want refunded. It would be unlawful not to refund it. Hopefully, that clears it up for you.

[graphicguy]

Boy.....I'll let you guys work out whatever it is you are trying to get.  Still sounds like you want someone to reimburse you for drinks you didn't consume.  That's kind of like saying at a restaurant "I want you to reimburse me for every item on the menu because I didn't order or eat it".  Or,"I want to be reimbursed for the taxes that weren't charged to me."  Makes no sense!

 

But, have at it.  I'll bow out.  Best of luck!

[insidecabin]

4 minutes ago, luv2kroooz said:

If they already charged and collected taxes on something that costs nothing, then this is the money that people want refunded. It would be unlawful not to refund it. Hopefully, that clears it up for you.

We are not there yet, they(NCL) have caved on the no drinks service for at least one cruise and done the right thing(nearly). drinksgate is starting getting closure, we need confirmation those effected on other cruises have had restitution.

 

the potential taxgate is still very much open

 

surprised those adamant on the closed thread  that NCL could do no wrong and wanted proof of everything have not questioned once a single post with second hand non verified/referenced  information that some taxes were paid by passenger in Southampton on the Dawn on the 24th May.   

[killaypirate]

Just returned from Celebrity cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona. Did not leave the EU so had to pay Portugese sales tax (23%) on onboard purchases. Also 10 % food & beverage tax whilst in Spanish waters & ports. Not charged extra sales tax on included drinks package.

[luv2kroooz]

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Still sounds like you want someone to reimburse you for drinks you didn't consume.

You must mean...someone to reimburse you for drinks you paid for but couldn't consume. Accuracy matters.

Edited May 28, 2023 by luv2kroooz

[luv2kroooz]

2 hours ago, killaypirate said:

Just returned from Celebrity cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona. Did not leave the EU so had to pay Portugese sales tax (23%) on onboard purchases. Also 10 % food & beverage tax whilst in Spanish waters & ports. 

Ouch. 

[graphicguy]

17 hours ago, luv2kroooz said:

You must mean...someone to reimburse you for drinks you paid for but couldn't consume. Accuracy matters.

Still trying to wrap my mind around anyone trying to get a refund for something that was free to begin with.  Free at Sea offers free drinks.  And, from what you’re telling me NCl can’t break out taxes/VAT on their invoice in Europe, and free drinks don’t qualify for taxes/VAT, I still don’t know what it is you’re expecting?

 

Matter of fact, the only place I’ve seen any of this mentioned it’s here at CC.  As best I can tell, none of the YouTubers have even noticed any of this.

 

But hey, if you can get away with getting a refund for something that was free to begin with, have at it.  Nothing I read here at CC surprises me anymore.  

Edited May 29, 2023 by graphicguy