Taxed on individual soda with Bottomless Bubbles?!

[jmcancruise]

So I understand that we now would probably save money by paying less tax , but my question is if we sail to a US port like St Thomas will we be charged while in that port?

[irishnyc]

So I understand that we now would probably save money by paying less tax , but my question is if we sail to a US port like St Thomas will we be charged while in that port?

 

 

If there is a local tax in St. Thomas on bar beverages, then in theory you will be paying a few cents tax.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

I have never heard of a "health tax". What will they think of next. At least in Tennessee the locals can't initiate taxes without state legislature approval.

 

Of course such a tax would have absolutely nothing to do with "health" but would simply provide an additional source of revenue for government to squander.

 

I can't find any city that actually has a specific tax on "soda" or soft drinks.

 

google "city taxes on soda".

[DGP1111]

You need to remember that many cities across the country have passed laws charging a "health" tax on soft drinks to "attack the obesity problem". My guess is that is the tax you are seeing if the port city has passed such a tax. If that is the case, you have no choice but to pay it and Carnival has no choice but to collect it.

 

google "city taxes on soda".

 

I tried the exact Google search you suggested, since I'm curious just how widespread these laws are, and I'm having difficulty finding the current list of US cities that have such laws in place now.

 

From the list you've seen, were any of them departure ports (or even Port-of-call locations)?? Thanks for any assitance. :)

 

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[spotte]

Don't forget, you will be charged a 15% gratuity when you purchase the BB package no matter where you are when you purchase it. You will not be charged an automatic gratuity after that. You will be charged a tax when you order a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) while in a port that has a tax or not in international waters. I think some people get taxes and gratuities confused.

[BallFour4]

In the past you made the purchase one time, usually after boarding and got the sticker attached to the card. The mug was optional purchase, and could be bought independently. This was the program all the way up to both cruises in June. We've purchased the stickers (cards in the old days) since they were offered.

 

While in port, at sea, at dinner, in the casino or in the theater I could order a soda and not sign a form. The drink was handed to you and the server left. We got plastic cups on deck and glass at the inside bars and dining room.

 

On the Glory last month we ordered the first soda while in Miami and a register generated bill was presented for me to sign with tax only. This was the first time I've ever had to sign for a soda anywhere on any ship in or away from port. Also on the bill was an additional space for gratuity.

 

Aboard cruises when school was out and around holidays they had begun to scan our cards intermittently to verify our picture.

 

Bottom line is regardless of where the ship was the soda sticker has lost some of it's expediency in getting a drink.

 

.

Edited October 6, 2014 by BallFour4

[firemanbobswife]

No tax on the total package, but you get taxed on individual drinks while in MIA and Puerto Rico. We are in St Thomas now, no tax.

 

Have to say I'm getting tired of signing every time I want a drink. I liked it better the old way, even when getting taxed on the whole package and not having to sign every time. Doesn't matter to me if it cost more in the long run.

 

I'm not here to complain for the ones that think that. I was simply surprised at the change.

 

I asked a bartender and they said it changed about a month ago and they don't like it either. Too much having to print receipts.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

No tax on the total package, but you get taxed on individual drinks while in MIA and Puerto Rico. We are in St Thomas now, no tax.

 

Have to say I'm getting tired of signing every time I want a drink. I liked it better the old way, even when getting taxed on the whole package and not having to sign every time. Doesn't matter to me if it cost more in the long run.

 

I'm not here to complain for the ones that think that. I was simply surprised at the change.

 

I asked a bartender and they said it changed about a month ago and they don't like it either. Too much having to print receipts.

 

My guess is that the change has something to do with the loss of inventory control validation that occurs when all service is not tracked by a reported sale and printed receipt. Prior to cheers, every drink dispensed was validated by a receipt and signature. Eliminating the receipt and signing for a portion of sales left a hole in the inventory control system that could not be accounted for. Hence, back to point of sales reporting even on the prepaid stuff. It is logical to this old retired inventory control and auditing director.

 

This holds true for the soda process now that they have to collect and report sales taxes as well.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Retired_to_Cruise

[cmich068]

I can certainly see the inventory control advantages of running every transaction through the Point of Sale system (even if it is a $0 transaction).

[firemanbobswife]

I just wish they would do it like Celebrity - swipe your card and not make you sign. As long as your card is present and the balance is 0, why bother with the wasted paper?

[Havingfun2010]

So a tax is being collected on soda for the day. That's fine if I only paid 6.50 for the day, than my total tax should not exceed $0.45 for the day. You are taxed for the dollar value. Carnival is basing it on the drink value, which is about $2.00 a drink. Basically, they will overcharge you if you drink more than 3.

 

If you go to a restaurant, you get charged tax on the first cup, and the free refills are not taxed. So Carnival is collecting more tax than is required.

 

Now I know, we are not talking big dollars here, but if you have a kid's package, and they drink 8 sodas, than they are being overcharged on 6 drinks, plus their card does not have charging abilitity.

 

My guess, is most people will just accept it, and move on, but I will want my credit for anything that is taxed over my $6.50.

[hlb76]

I always buy my son a BB card for our trips. I also not not let him have charging privileges.

 

 

Wonder what will happen when he tries to get a pop while still in port? Be denied? I would assume that would be the case if he could not cover the tax.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

So a tax is being collected on soda for the day. That's fine if I only paid 6.50 for the day, than my total tax should not exceed $0.45 for the day. You are taxed for the dollar value. Carnival is basing it on the drink value, which is about $2.00 a drink. Basically, they will overcharge you if you drink more than 3.

 

If you go to a restaurant, you get charged tax on the first cup, and the free refills are not taxed. So Carnival is collecting more tax than is required.

 

Now I know, we are not talking big dollars here, but if you have a kid's package, and they drink 8 sodas, than they are being overcharged on 6 drinks, plus their card does not have charging abilitity.

 

My guess, is most people will just accept it, and move on, but I will want my credit for anything that is taxed over my $6.50.

 

I suggest you call Carnival and ask the questions. Unless you are a sales tax specialist, you need to get an understanding of what the Miami taxing requirements are for soda on a cruise ship in port. To make the assumption that Carnival can decide how to apply the taxes is just that an assumption. The tax law may be written that the tax must be applied against the cost of the sales unit, not a sales contract. Put your mind at ease and avoid looking uninformed by making a demand for a refund that you cannot get due to tax laws that Carnival has to adher to.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Retired_to_Cruise

[firemanbobswife]

Today's tax in Puerto Rico is $0.11 per soda :(

[travler27]

google "city taxes on soda".

 

I did. And all I can find is information stating that no government has ever passed such a tax. There are some locations that don't exempt soda from sales tax on food items but no such thing as a "health tax" or specific tax on soda.

 

If you have some specific information perhaps you would be kind enough to share it with us. I also found an article that said San Francisco is considering the possible passage of such a tax but probably won't because no such tax has ever withstood a court challenge. And of course they are all challenged by the soda industry.

[irishnyc]

I did. And all I can find is information stating that no government has ever passed such a tax. There are some locations that don't exempt soda from sales tax on food items but no such thing as a "health tax" or specific tax on soda.

 

 

 

If you have some specific information perhaps you would be kind enough to share it with us. I also found an article that said San Francisco is considering the possible passage of such a tax but probably won't because no such tax has ever withstood a court challenge. And of course they are all challenged by the soda industry.

 

 

NYC tried to pass a soda tax maybe 10 years ago. When that didn't work, our former mayor tried to ban sodas/sugary drinks over 16 ounces. That one almost passed and was withdrawn the day before it was to begin. Lots of time and tax dollars wasted. If you want to look at that one, Google Bloomberg, soda ban, 16 ounces.

Edited October 10, 2014 by irishnyc

[travler27]

Yeah, I'm aware of the NYC efforts to ban and tax but those efforts failed. Retired To Cruise said that many cities had a "health tax" that placed a special tax on sodas and I haven't been able to find anything to support his/her statement.

 

I'm kind of interested for other reasons so was hoping he/she could give a specific example as I am unable to find any government that has a specific "health" or soda tax.

Edited October 10, 2014 by travler27

[jcearth]

I always buy my son a BB card for our trips. I also not not let him have charging privileges.

 

 

Wonder what will happen when he tries to get a pop while still in port? Be denied? I would assume that would be the case if he could not cover the tax.

 

That is a great question that Carnival has not thought through yet. Both in Miami and San Juan, the bartenders had to run my card through for the tax on my kids' BB sodas. Now, my children are 8,6, and 4, and were with me at the time, but I am not sure what they would do with an 11 or even a 14 year old with a BB sticker and no charging privileges who is not with their parents -- I can see how this could cause a problem.

Edited October 10, 2014 by jcearth

[Slush]

The only problem I have is that if you are taxed on the price for a CAN of soda, you should get a can and not a refill or glass which is what you get on BB.

[firemanbobswife]

The only problem I have is that if you are taxed on the price for a CAN of soda, you should get a can and not a refill or glass which is what you get on BB.

 

 

I think a can of soda is $2.00. On my receipt is says BB $1.50 so it is less than a can. It's still a pain in the butt and a waste of paper IMHO.

 

I would rather have them charge tax on the whole thing from the beginning like they have in the past and not have to sign all those stupid receipts.

 

If they need to swipe my card every time like Celebrity does with their soda package, than so be it. But the signing part is just stupid. Maybe it's their way of getting people to order less sodas? Who knows. Amazing how you don't need to sign in the dining room, just at bars. Wish they would change it back.

[Disconnections]

I think a can of soda is $2.00. On my receipt is says BB $1.50 so it is less than a can. It's still a pain in the butt and a waste of paper IMHO.

 

I would rather have them charge tax on the whole thing from the beginning like they have in the past and not have to sign all those stupid receipts.

 

If they need to swipe my card every time like Celebrity does with their soda package, than so be it. But the signing part is just stupid. Maybe it's their way of getting people to order less sodas? Who knows. Amazing how you don't need to sign in the dining room, just at bars. Wish they would change it back.

 

Having to sign a receipt for $0.00 each time would annoy me so much, especially after they try to ignore you when you have their soda package. Hopefully this isn't from Carnival Corporation and it's just Carnival Cruise Line doing it.

[jetskier]

At least the other ports have not tried to collect sales tax on purchases in the gift shops like Louisiana tried to do. If sailing out of New Orleans the gift shops are open the next day and have to close down before reaching the 12 mile limit coming back in.

Dave

[CruiserNic]

That is a great question that Carnival has not thought through yet. Both in Miami and San Juan, the bartenders had to run my card through for the tax on my kids' BB sodas. Now, my children are 8,6, and 4, and were with me at the time, but I am not sure what they would do with an 11 or even a 14 year old with a BB sticker and no charging privileges who is not with their parents -- I can see how this could cause a problem.

 

Did you also have the BB? I am only buying the BB for my kids (11 &9). We leave out of San Juan and with the late departure I am sure they will each have at least one drink while in port. My parents and my in-laws are travelling with us, can they swipe their cards for the tax on the kids' drinks? Even if none of the rest of us have the BB? Does that matter? And really they make the kids sign for their drinks? I'm sure they will love my 9 yo DS's signature. :rolleyes:

[firemanbobswife]

Did you also have the BB? I am only buying the BB for my kids (11 &9). We leave out of San Juan and with the late departure I am sure they will each have at least one drink while in port. My parents and my in-laws are travelling with us, can they swipe their cards for the tax on the kids' drinks? Even if none of the rest of us have the BB? Does that matter? And really they make the kids sign for their drinks? I'm sure they will love my 9 yo DS's signature. :rolleyes:

 

 

The tax is charged to the account that has the BB package, so no, no one else will be able to have the tax charged to their account. The receipt is automatically generated when they swipe the card with the BB package.

 

Not sure how it works with kids as I didn't have any of mine with me this last time and this was the first time Carnival has ever done it this way. I would imagine they would sign too, or at least swipe their card as the tax will need to be charged the same as an adult. I would be interested to hear from someone that has first hand experience with this very situation as well.

[springs741]

Not trying to hijack but I also wonder if the swipe of the card has been implemented to decrease the number of people sharing the BB card?