Unlimted soda card question

[dmart82]

We were on the canival Dream last year and i sent my husband down to purchase our soda cards before diner appox 7:00 pm long after we set sail and I think i remember them charging us the fee per day, 15% gty and sales tax. My question is that i read some where that they don't charge sales tax if you purchase the unlimited soda after leaving port, if this is correct when should we puchase it this time so we don't get charged sales tax.

[rrraydon]

It is true...you have to be some amount of nautical miles out...don't know the miles exactly..but i"m sure someone who knows will answer.

[5waldos]

3 miles maybe? And it isn't just outside of port as much as into international waters so some ports may take many more miles of sailing to get there.

[Walkenkeg]

5waldos is right you have to be in international water or you will be taxed. Good rule to go by is when you leave port watch the duty free shops, when they open then your in international water and no tax.

[Kamloops50]

It depends on the state or province , it's also the point where the shops and Casino will open.

 

Taxes aren't charged on purchases 5 miles out from the entrance to the port of Vancouver ( Stores and casino open) . In Florida it's within 5 miles of the coast.

California I have heard is the 12 mile limit beyond Catalina Island.

[dmart82]

thanks for all the help, we were cruising out of florida last year, so we must have purchased it just a bit to soon. thanks again

[sallyb]

We always bring a few sodas with us and wait until the next morning to buy the soda card. Makes a big difference in the price.

[jmoak]

WHere do you purchase the soda card if you buy the next day? Can you get it at any of the bars?

[sallyb]

I'm not sure if every bar has it, but we have bought it at a bar twice now.

[Kamloops50]

On some cruise lines you can only buy the soda card on the day of embarkation. They base some cards on a per day amount and not a paper punch card.

[sallyb]

On Carnival, it costs less on the second day, it's just a sticker they add to your card.

[duncansdad]

While it is true, sales tax is not charged on a soda card whle in international waters, I have yet to see anyone mention the following chain of events.

 

Given that the gratuity is charged no matter when the card is purchased, and that it is based soley on the sales price of the card, let's crunch some numbers.

 

You board at 1 P.M., and the sailing time is 5. A soda card costs $50. and the sales tax is 10%(probably not this high). This adds an additional $5 to your cost. However, if you don't reach international waters until 6, and you have 3 sodas at $2.30( 2+15%=2.30) it will have cost you $6.90, for a net loss of $1.90.

 

If you factor in the above events, and apply them to your situation, an informed decision can be made when to buy the card.

 

I hope this helps anyone faced with this situation.