Bolaine

Do I need to carry my passport with me when I leave the ship?

Or would it be OK to just carry a copy of it?

We got an email from RC saying we would be in La Spezia and had to change our plans.

We are sailing on the Brilliance in July.

When we booked the Brilliance was booked in to La Spezia and was changed to Livorno.

Now we are back into La Spezia.

Oh well, we'll get by.

Deck 5.

Thank you

Will someone please tell me, what deck do you enter when you first board the ship?

They did not work as of this past January. In fact, there were signs there that indicated (at least to me) that this was a permanent condition.

I have one other question...........

Is there an electrical outlet in the bathroom?

Fast question : are they any outlets in the bathroom?

When come back to port, the receiving country tax laws apply in regarding to importation taxes since that is what your doing. No different from a company importing goods for sell into receiving country.

 

For example:

 

If I buy a bottle of liquor in the Caribbean and bring it into the United States, as long as i stay under the limit then I am not subject to additional taxes. However, if I go over the limit then I am subject to the additional tax, based on US tariff/tax rules.

 

This is no different than if Appleton Estates brings in Jamaican produced rum for sale in the US. They are subject to tariffs/taxes at both the Federal and State level. This has been going on for hundreds of years.

Thank you, now I understand.

So anything I drink at sea will not be taxed.

Unfortunately the sales rep you spoke to has no knowledge of EU VAT/IVA regulations. As this cruise does not exit the EU it WILL be subject to EU VAT regulations throughout - it is EU law that applies here. That doesn't mean everything sold onboard will definitely have an extra % added as there are a lot of exemptions and different rates applicable, but EU regulations will be applied.

I know nothing about EU VAT/IVA but I am wondering how any country's tax can apply when you are in international waters. If this is possible wouldn't where the ship is registered have the say of taxes.

I'm not trying to start an argument, (as I said I don't know) my question is, is this something that is going to make a big difference? And do we know for sure this is what is going to happen?

As for the sales rep., he told me he knew nothing about the tax so, I was on hold for about half a hour while he checked

:')

It makes complete sense. For a cruise to be non-VAT eligible it needs to stop at a non-EU port. As you state (as does the OP) this cruise no longer stops at a non-EU port so the whole cruise now becomes subject to VAT for on board purchases. The original itinerary included Kusadasi which being in Turkey is outside the EU, avoiding this issue.Non-EU citizens can only claim back VAT on items 'exported', so this will not allow claim back for any consumables purchased on board (drinks, restaurants, etc) if VAT is charged on these (the rules are too complicated to go into, but not everything carries VAT on a cruise - among other things it depends which elements are considered part of the 'passenger transfer' element which, generally, is either zero or lower rated for VAT in the EU).

So, I just got off the phone with RC.

As of right now, there will be no VAT added to any service/sale on anything on board once the ship set sails from Barcelona.

While in Barcelona they are required by law to charge VAT. This has not changed.

If there is any change to this policy they will send me an email. So I was told.

Just received email from Travel Agent. Royal Caribbean is dropping Turkey as a port of call for the remainder of 2017

We will be going to Mykonos, Greece instead.

Does anyone know anything Mykonos?

Has anyone gone to the Mystery Dinner Theater?

Would you recommend it?

I was thinking of doing this on one of the days at sea.

Few Question concerning Windjammer Buffet:

- How early do they open?

- How late do they stay open?

- Is this the place to go for a late night snack?

- Can I get octopus here or anywhere on the ship?

- Do you recommend this for dinner or lunch for days at sea?

I read on "Ship Mate" that on the days at sea they had a BBQ in the pool area. Anyone know anything about this?

Cash!

Bad odds, tho...not like Vegas at all!

Are you talking slots.

I never play them.

Is the crap table active?

And what is minimum bet?

Can anyone tell me about the casino on BOTS?

I enjoy shooting craps every now and then.

Do the use cash or do you need to charge?

hiya all sounds fab we are cruising in july on brilliance and its only our second cruise (newbies really) , we were o visions last time so she is just a tad bigger lol , weare takeing my mum and her partner who are first timers so fingers crossed all will be good x:D

When in July will you be sailing.

We are on July 24th sailing.

Has anyone used Ekol Travel for tours here?

We signed up for 4 hour tour in July 2017 and are

wondering what we can look forward to.

We just made a reservation for a semi - private tour of Ephesus & T. House

with Ekol Travel.

It is costing $60 per person and is for 4 to 5 hours.

Has anyone had any dealings with this company.

I'm looking at an excursion in Turkey with Ekol Tours Has anyone used them or know anything about them

Looking to book a tour for Turkey with Ekol Travel.

Has anyone used them or know anything about them?

We flew from Toronto to Las Vegas on Rouge it was not dirty and the seats were average. The crew on Rouge tend to be younger - they wear great hats-

and service is good. I would compare it to say a Delta economy flight.

Thank you for the info.

One Last question: Would you fly Rouge again?

FWIW, that's what I was reading when I started researching. Air Canada Rouge was coming up the cheapest of flights for me.

Rouge is coming up the cheapest for me also, but it may be worth the higher price for comfort. After all it is a long flight.

But all I have to go on is the reviews I read. I am hoping for some first hand knowledge.

Anybody out there been on a Rouge flight.

Air Canada's discount airline. No first class but they have premium economy- drinks, wider seats, things like that. What do you want to know? I know we have a friend coming in from the midwest through Toronto to go to Barcelona and it was cheaper to do that than fly from her home town.

Kansas to Toronto to Barcelona-$450

Kansas to Barcelona - $1600

 

Big difference.

I checked some reviews they said the seats were small and uncomfortable,

the service was poor and the plane was dirty.

Anyone have first hand knowledge?

Does anyone know anything about Air Canada Rouge?

Nuts. I have a trip to make to Barcelona (not for a cruise) and was hoping for cheaper tickets.

 

BTW, some of the cheaper flights I've seen to Barcelona are through Air Canada ROUGE, but after doing some research, I'm staying away from them. Uncomfortable seats, poor service, etc. Just FYI.

Check airfares on Tuesday around 1PM. I found they are the lowest at that time.

For all airlines I've checked. And this is without going through cruise line.

What airline? Is that to Barcelona?

Air Canada through Air2Sea Royal Caribbean.

This was the round trip price.