Vista VAT on Services

This appears to be confirmed by what is on the Carnival website.

 

 

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3809/~/value-added-tax-(vat)

I don't understand why we'd have to pay VAT in Barcelona waters on TA though?

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This appears to be confirmed by what is on the Carnival website.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3809/~/value-added-tax-(vat)

So now you've linked to the carnival website which confirms the 23 sept sailing is being charged at 10% VAT throughout for drinks, you can explain why the exact same cruise on the 26 August was charged at 21%.

It's quite a simple question really. I'm surprised you keep over looking it, but now you've posted your link hopefully it focuses your attention as it is a very serious question.

I don't understand why we'd have to pay VAT in Barcelona waters on TA though?

 

 

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I would say because you are still within the jurisdiction of Spain until you hit International waters. It is not a Carnival conspiracy as some would like you to believe.

Here is an example where Celebrity (and RCL) does the same:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2257793

I don't understand why we'd have to pay VAT in Barcelona waters on TA though?

 

 

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Whilst in the port and until the ship is in international waters, carnival do need to apply a tax to your drink purchases. This has certainly never been refuted by anyone despite what Karnyval is implying. I only deal with facts not fantasies.

However it should not be charging it's imaginary "what it would have cost" tax to any drinks obtained under cheers. Clearly this is a ploy to stop you using the packaged you've purchased.

It does however raise another interesting point. I'm assuming that unless carnival has s full gaming license, it's casino will not be open whilst it's not left these international waters its keen to be quoting.

Maybe someone on the cruise can check to make sure Carnival doesn't break the law. We wouldn't want that to happen would we.

Karnyval, straight up question why do you think we were, we along with Les37 and everyone else aboard charged 21% on drinks for the entire sailing from Barcelona 26th August despite Carnival now saying it is 10% now?? I know Eu law has not changed in the last month. Im soooo confused.

You seem to be well versed in these matters. Do tell.

When I lodged my VAT complanit with Carnival they promised a reply within 5-7 working days following an investigation. Yesterday was working day seven and no reply. More Carnyval lies and poor customer services.

I just emailed them again & will post any reply on here as this VAT rip off is not going away. My wife says if some one took money out your hand in the street you would react and be angry, well I see this as no different we both work hard to go away on holiday and to have money taken of us "inadvertantly" & " mistakenly" is simply not acceptable in this day and age.

Simple question why 21% & not 10%.

Karnyval, straight up question why do you think we were, we along with Les37 and everyone else aboard charged 21% on drinks for the entire sailing from Barcelona 26th August despite Carnival now saying it is 10% now?? I know Eu law has not changed in the last month. Im soooo confused.

 

You seem to be well versed in these matters. Do tell.

Just for clarification, I bought cheers prior to boarding and paid zero VAT on that purchase or had the infamous carnival "what it would have cost' tax on drinks obtained through the package.

People were allowed to buy cheers on board and were correctly charged 10% on the initial purchase and no imaginary tax applied for them either.

This is the only cruise that Carnival did get right for cheers.

As you correctly point out however, they charged everyone 21% on your drink purchases instead of 10%. If they had managed to get that right and then kept to how it should have been managed, then none of this anger would exist and Carnival could have just refunded the "what it would have cost" charges placed on the previous 2 cruises to ours.

Instead they go from bad to worse and despite the easy solution to this which would likely involve an increase in sales, they miss out on that opportunity.

Just pre sell cheers it's as simple as that. No VAT is applicable since it's not purchased on board. Similarly the food you eat in the MDR etc is exactly the same. It's pre-purchased.

Karnyval, straight up question why do you think we were, we along with Les37 and everyone else aboard charged 21% on drinks for the entire sailing from Barcelona 26th August despite Carnival now saying it is 10% now?? I know Eu law has not changed in the last month. Im soooo confused.

 

You seem to be well versed in these matters. Do tell.

In your case, based solely on your version, 21% would seem excessive.

VAT law seems to be interpreted differently by member states who write their own version based on guidelines. Sometimes incomplete and inconsistent, companies such as Carnival appear to have to try to satisfy incomplete and sometimes conflicting requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

The VAT laws may not change continuously, but certainly seem to change frequently, as do the interpretations.

In one response from Carnival that someone posted on the site that shall not be mentioned, I read:

"As for the VAT added to your purchases, Carnival makes a good faith effort to comply with the tax laws in the various countries that we visit. As a result, each sailing may have different tax consequences, and this information is passed on to our guests as soon as Carnival is made aware of such laws."

I have no way of verifying the accuracy of that post on that site, or of posts by others on this site.

VAT THREAD!!! while it lasts. ;)

Can I just ask have there been any cruises since Aug 6th which sailed from Barcelona and visited any Greek ports, if so can you tell me what VAT was charged

We pre-purchased ( no shipboard purchase ) but was still charge 10% then 24% whilst in Greek waters. Thanks

Can I just ask have there been any cruises since Aug 6th which sailed from Barcelona and visited any Greek ports, if so can you tell me what VAT was charged

 

We pre-purchased ( no shipboard purchase ) but was still charge 10% then 24% whilst in Greek waters. Thanks

The 26th August was from Barcelona but didn't sail to Greece. Passengers were charged 21% for their drinks.

They did allow pre-bought cheers on this cruise which obviously wasn't charged VAT when bought or any "what it would have cost you" tax on drinks consumed. Cheers bought in Barcelona did get charged VAT (not sure of the rate... but i suspect it was 21%) and then again, no extra "what it would have cost you" tax was added.

On your cruise on cheers pre bought they added "what it would have cost you" tax, but didn't on cheers bought on board... i.e. Treated the packages different. On the 18th, the applied the "what it would have cost you" tax to both. Especially stupid since Spanish tax was applied when cheers was bought and again with carnivals imaginary tax.

They have refused to hand back the money they had no right to on these two cruises and have asked you to forgive them. On the 26th people are still waiting on a reply.

I would advise anyone who've had money taken that should not have been to get in touch with their bank since carnival refusing to give it back can only be considered theft or fraud.

The one individual who is whistling in defence of carnival continues to say it's been an honest mistake. For that to be valid, the money taken should be returned. There ends any validity for the use of that term.

What do you mean

On your cruise on cheers pre bought they added "what it would have cost you" tax, but didn't on cheers bought on board...?

Can I just ask have there been any cruises since Aug 6th which sailed from Barcelona and visited any Greek ports, if so can you tell me what VAT was charged

 

We pre-purchased ( no shipboard purchase ) but was still charge 10% then 24% whilst in Greek waters. Thanks

That is similar to what Carnival says it should be. Carnival has stopped selling drink packages on cruises that visit Greece because they aren't good value. Carnival is not responsible for incomplete and inconsistent tax laws among the EU member states.

"10/01/16 sailing from Barcelona

· A 10% VAT is charged on Bar & Food purchases. Once we reach Crete, the VAT increases to 24% for the remainder of the cruise.

· A 21% VAT is charged on purchases at FunShops, Spa, Pixels, (products, clothing, jewelry, etc.) for the entire cruise.

· CHEERS! /Bottomless Bubbles are not available on this voyage.

The issue I have is I purchased my drinks package at the same time as I purchased the food I ate and the cabin I slept in & the lemonade I drank by the pool, Carnival even state VAT is on most 'shipboard purchases' they've lost the plot!! and we've all paid the price..

What is the Value Added Tax (VAT)?

The Value Added Tax, also known as VAT, is an indirect tax that applies on cruises sailing within the European Union (EU) only. All intra-European Union voyages will be subject to VAT on most shipboard purchases. We are required by law to charge VAT.

What do you mean

 

 

On your cruise on cheers pre bought they added "what it would have cost you" tax, but didn't on cheers bought on board...?

It's carnivals imaginary tax.

When you obtain a drink, the cost of that drink is $0.00. Now if you want to add 10% tax to that, it's $0.00 - exactly the same as any food you consume. i.e. There is no tax to pay.

On the 26th August cruise, anyone with cheers pre paid or bought on board had zero tax added to anything obtained under cheers.

Previous cruises they added this "what it would have cost you" tax.... i.e. Even though the cost was zero, they charged you vat on what the drink would have cost you if you had to buy it. Only an idiot would argue it's ok to do that.

And I've just heard the funniest thing ever.

Karnyval is claiming they've stopped selling cheers because it's not good value (there is some merit in that I suppose) ... but he claims the reason is that it's better value to pay $10 per drink + $1.50 gratuities and plus a further $1.15 or $2.33 on each and every one of your 15 drinks obtained under cheers.

One for the comedy club I think.

The issue I have is I purchased my drinks package at the same time as I purchased the food I ate and the cabin I slept in & the lemonade I drank by the pool, Carnival even state VAT is on most 'shipboard purchases' they've lost the plot!! and we've all paid the price..

 

What is the Value Added Tax (VAT)?

The Value Added Tax, also known as VAT, is an indirect tax that applies on cruises sailing within the European Union (EU) only. All intra-European Union voyages will be subject to VAT on most shipboard purchases. We are required by law to charge VAT.

Your understanding is completely accurate.

I pre-empt your scenario happening to me (based on your experience) and spoke to my bank. They told me if they did this they would be in breach of contract and the bank would do a charge back.

I actually have it in writing when I bought cheers that no extra charges would be added to drinks including VAT since it's not purchased on board and all taxes have already been paid. Fortunately on my cruise carnival saw sense over cheers and dealt with it accurately. It's the only time it's happened.

Other cruise companies have dealt with their drinks packages accurately too.

Here is another post where 21% VAT on alcohol is mentioned.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49887693&postcount=10

Should I purchase bottles of spirits in advance as I am on the 11th October cruise and do not want to pay 24% vat plus 15% grats on board

I usually have cheers package but this has apparently been cancelled.

People have the impression that you can take alcohol on board in ports but from carnival website you are only allowed 1 bottle of wine at embarkation

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Lol ok I will play it safe. Order 1 bottle and hopefully I will be able to top it up during the cruise. They may get security conscience as nobody will be purchasing drinks on board at $12 a drink. [emoji3]

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Sorry fewer people not nobody. I cannot speak for everyone [emoji3]

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Lol ok I will play it safe. Order 1 bottle and hopefully I will be able to top it up during the cruise. They may get security conscience as nobody will be purchasing drinks on board at $12 a drink. [emoji3]

 

 

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When you exit the ship in port, IF, they have set up or are setting up a table for liquor collection, that is a clue they will be looking. The scanning equipment is quite capable of identifying. It is highly unlikely that they will be looking.

If/When successful in a port, exit the ship and repeat as necessary.

While possible in the port of embarkation, you may hit rush hour with all the people trying to check in.