Is VAT added on cruise ships.

Does HAL charge VAT on all onboard purchases when operating in the Mediterranean ?

We recently sailed with Celebrity and were charged VAT on everything we bought onboard, this is the first time we have experienced this added costs.

Does HAL charge VAT on all onboard purchases when operating in the Mediterranean ?

We recently sailed with Celebrity and were charged VAT on everything we bought onboard, this is the first time we have experienced this added costs.

Usually those ships that only port in European Union ports will charge the VAT. If a cruise has one port that's not part of the EU, then the VAT usually isn't charged.

HAL does NOT charge VAT. Or at least they did not last year.

HAL does NOT charge VAT. Or at least they did not last year.

As I said, it depends on the itinerary of each specific cruise whether VAT is charged or not.