podgeandrodge

Just to add:

Press Releases

Miami - Jun 12, 2013 ---

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today it is now the only cruise line to serve Certified Angus Beef® brand steaks, the world's leading Angus brand and consumers' top choice for premium beef. Certified Angus Beef ® brand steaks are rated above USDA Prime, Choice and Select, and are known for their superior flavor, juiciness and tenderness. These steaks are currently available in Cagney's Steakhouse and Le Bistro French restaurant on ten Norwegian ships, including the new Norwegian Breakaway. Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Spirit will begin serving these steaks by August.

"With the addition of Certified Angus Beef ® in our steakhouse and French restaurant, we've taken an already great meal and made it outstanding," said Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. "There is no better steak available and, as a New Yorker who knows a good steak, it was an obvious choice to bring these high quality selections to Cagney's Steakhouse and Le Bistro."

Previously available only at shore-side steakhouses and leading retailers, these exceptional cuts feature 10 quality specifications, including marbling, maturity and consistency, and are aged 28 days for the finest flavor and tenderness.

Guests can choose from a wide variety of premium cuts, ranging from a 14-ounce dry-aged center-cut strip loin to an 18-ounce bone-in ribeye. Additional offerings include an eight-ounce center-cut filet and a 16-ounce boneless ribeye. Guests can also customize their Certified Angus Beef ® steak with an array of seasonings and signature sauces including garlic butter, gorgonzola-crusted, chimichurri, green peppercorn and more. Cagney's Steakhouse serves all of the selected cuts, while Le Bistro offers the eight-ounce center-cut filet.

"Norwegian Cruise Line is at the forefront of cuisine at sea, and the ranchers and farmers behind the Certified Angus Beef® brand are pleased to be a part of this culinary evolution," says John Stika, the beef brand's president. "Guests will appreciate knowing their steak experience matches some of the finest steakhouses in New York and beyond."

My bolding on the piece about the Jade and the Spirit as we are going on the Spirit soon!

Like I said Jim this was my opinion. I ate at cagney's a year ago as well so my opinion stands. Just so you know the ship doesn't use the usda standard but it is a select cut. The same as all your quick service restaurants.

I'm confused by this. According to the NCL Cagney menu:

norwegian Cruise line’s signature Steakhouse proudly serves certified angus Beef brand steaks. Uncompromising standards ensure it’s a cut above USdA prime, Choice and Select, making it the best-tasting beef available. The rich, abundant marbling in the certified angus Beef brand and our own 28-day aging specifications result in the most flavorful & tender dining experience.

Now I've read a few reviews of Cagney's which haven't been very positive - and the menu quoted above is a 2013 menu so maybe things have changed - but the "Certified Angus Beef" brand states:

"The same independent USDA graders inspect black-hided cattle (typical of the Angus breed) and give it a grade. All beef considered for the brand must be the best Choice, or Prime, beef – truly the top of the scale. This top-quality Angus beef is then evaluated again, using the brand’s set of 10 science-based specifications for marbling, size and uniformity. If it’s good enough to make the cut, then it earns the distinctive Certified Angus Beef ® brand label."

So on this reading Cagney's is providing more than a select cut and above the USDA standard.

Of the last 5 cruises I have been on 1 was Venice-Barcelona, 1 was Canary Isles ex Barcelona round trip, 1 was Barcelona to Venice and 1 was Western Med Barcelona round trip on Epic.

The only one of those cruises where we were charged VAT was the trip on Epic which never left the EU visiting only Spain and Italy. The other 3 were on Spirit and no VAT charges once we were about 2 hours out of Barcelona even the trip to the Canaries which did not visit Casablanca last winter.

 

Jean

You should work for NCL Jean. At least you have more information than them! :D

We are sailing on the Jade to the Greek Islands departing Venice and am wondering what the position is. Bit of a bummer and an unexpected expense possibly!

Ahh, now that you mention it, myself and my wife did this a couple of years back and I recall that she purchased a wine deal and there was no extra VAT. So seems like I was just wasting my time dealing with NCL customer services :p

The UK office.

It seems even NCL are confused about this one. I rang them last night and asked them to email me with the position.

It appears from this that they believe VAT is charged for the whole cruise at 15% because the ship leaves from Barcelona - regardless of visiting non EU ports - at least that is my reading of it - see below:

NCL

Good morning,

Further to our conversation yesterday, I got the information for you about the 15 % VAT for cruises from Spain and Italy.

This tax will be charge once you get on board the ship. And as it says on the website is only for cruises sailing from Spain or Italy.

Best wishes,

xxxxxx | Reservations Consultant

ME

Hi xxxxxx, thanks for your response. My cruise on 4th November on the Spirit leaves from Barcelona but visits some non-EU ports like Casablanca. Is the VAT only charged in Spanish waters or for the whole cruise? Thanks.

NCL

Hello,

Let’s say if you buy the drinks package which is $49pp plus 15% gratuities will be a total of $59. But because this cruise is sailing FROM Barcelona, another extra 15% VAT will be charge. It doesn’t matter where is going is more where is sailing from.

Best regards,

xxxxxx | Reservations Consultant

ME

Thanks xxxxxx. Final question! I have read that the tax is ONLY while in EU waters so in Casablanca the tax will NOT be charged? Regards.

NCL

Hello,

The VAT Tax will be charge if is sailing from Spain or Italy. So even if is going to be in Morocco the VAT will be charge because is coming from Barcelona.

Thanks

xxxxxx| Reservations Consultant

Great thanks Jean!

Damon, that is great thanks for the clarification. I'm guessing that given our first stop after Barcelona is Casablanca that if we wait a couple of hours after sailing we should be ok!

Edit: strike that, it's 2 day's before arriving at Casablanca and I don't know where Spanish territorial waters finish so I think I'll prebook if I can!

I'm surprised anyone would purchase the package onboard with an extra 15% as it's barely worth it as it is!

 

If the ship doesn't call any ports outside EU tax area (while a part of Spain and therefore EU, Canary Islands are excluded from EU tax area) then the VAT is charged during all cruise regardless of ship's position - this applies to f.ex. Epic's summer cruises that only visit ports in Italy, France and Spain.

Thanks Cubechick and Demonyte. I find it very strange that if it's as simple as pre-purchasing the beverage packages that NCL aren't pushing this (as far as I know the beverage package can't be pre-purchased online for EU bookings you have to ring them up).

As for why they would make blatantly wrong statements on their site when this could affect sales is beyond me!

Anyway does this mean if you wait to purchase the packages until an hour after sailing that you are ok?

Another page states:

" Please note that in order to comply with Spanish tax regulations we are required to charge Spanish VAT on applicable items purchased on board on cruises from/to Barcelona as well as on all cruises whilst the ship is in Spanish waters. Applicable items are, amongst others, alcoholic beverages, items from the minibar, retail items and cover charges in our speciality restaurants"

If that's true it will add some serious cost.

NCL - Spanish VAT or not on drink packages etc if leaving from Barcelona - according to many threads on this site the VAT is only charged if you don't visit a non EU port.

However, the NCL site, in relation to the unlimited beverages package, simply states that: "On cruises from/to Spain/Italy we are required to charge an additional 15% VAT" - no mention of an exception if you are visiting a non EU port.

Can anyone confirm once and for all? :p

NCL page here:

http://www.ncl.eu/already-booked/gifts-and-more/

Can you give me info on the tour you are referring to and how to get in touch with them? Thanks.

Hi lalique, sorry it is an NCL ship cruise not one organised locally.

Viewing Dubrovnik from the top of Mt. Srd is breathtaking and locating the entrance on your own is no simple task. By using a guide you will have an orientation of the old town and can decide which historical site you might wish to visit. I personally know Dubrovnik cannot be experienced on your own, so by all means use a guide. Please walk the side streets, that is where you will find some lovely shops and great small konabas for lunch. Enjoy your time here.

thanks Dubrovniktravelady :)

Hi, we are planning on taking a "little" excursion in Dubrovnik and were looking at the "walking tour and cable car" at $59.

Any views on whether this is worth it or is out time better spent elsewhere?

Thanks!

Description: $59 per person: Depart the Port of Dubrovnik on foot to the newly opened cable car station situated in the vicinity of the Old Town. Arriving at the station, proceed by cable car to Srd Hill. From here you'll enjoy a bird's eye view of the greatness of the city and surroundings. You'll never forget the centuries-old Dubrovnik rooftops. After returning by cable car to the main station, your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the Old Town. At the end of the walking tour, you'll have free time to enjoy the Old Town on your own and return to your ship at leisure."