Is there a fee for drinks in port with UDP?

[Disprincess2213]

if a person has the UDP, is it effective the minute you get on the cruise and for the entire duration? I feel like I've read few reviews mentioning there wan extra fee for drinks wile in port but I cat find any definitive information. Are there any other fees we will have to pay for drinks while having the UDP?

[crusincouple8]

There may be state tax added to the drink prices while in port. Usually minimal amount.

[luddite]

Sales tax.

[MeHeartCruising]

the uBp (Ultimate Beverage Package) can have sales tax added on top of what you already paid in some ports as mentioned above. In Miami, for example, you will be charged the state sales tax while in port. Your UBP does indeed start as soon as you get on the ship, but the sale tax is on top of that. Once you get away from the port, the sales tax is not charged. In January, I had to sign paper slips while in port as well and was told this was related to the sales tax. Once out of the port, it was no longer necessary to sign a slip of paper when getting drinks.

Edited February 23, 2016 by MeHeartCruising

[Disprincess2213]

We are leaving from New York to Bermuda. What is the sales tax? How much is it and how do i know when it's in effect?

[Leavethekidswithmom]

When the casino opens the sales tax ends, typically three miles out.

[Orleanscruiser]

if a person has the UDP, is it effective the minute you get on the cruise and for the entire duration? I feel like I've read few reviews mentioning there wan extra fee for drinks wile in port but I cat find any definitive information. Are there any other fees we will have to pay for drinks while having the UDP?

 

8% is the current sales tax for New York

 

The Ultimate Beverage Package Terms & Conditions from NCL website

 

Norwegian's Ultimate Beverage Package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to and including $15 and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and the Great Stirrup Cay. A 20% discount will be applied to all bottles of wine purchased on board.

A sticker will be placed on your guest key card to identify that you have purchased this package.

The Ultimate Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $15. One (1) beverage per person per transaction. Package can be used in all restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. Any items over $15 will receive an $15 discount and the guest will be charged the difference to their account.

An 18% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added to all package purchases; your check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries. Packages must be purchased by all qualifying individuals residing in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise. Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase any alcoholic package and to consume alcohol. See the terms of our guest alcohol policy. Other terms and conditions may apply. This package is not available for purchase on charters, sailings that are two (2) days or less and Pride of America. Guests purchasing this package on board during the dates of March 1st through April 15th will only be able to purchase on embarkation day.

 

Please note that rates are subject to change at any time at the discretion of Norwegian Cruise Line.

 

*Effective for Norwegian Sky sailings booked on or after 4/22/15: FREE Ultimate Beverage Package for sailings on or after 1/1/16. See full Terms & Conditions.

 

there is a thread on the subject http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2240824

Edited February 23, 2016 by Orleanscruiser

[Disprincess2213]

thank you for the responses... I don't care about the first 3 miles or so but what I would care about is if Bermuda was one of these ports that also charges the tax. Does anyone know? Is it just NY or is it Bermuda too? Also, does this tax just get added to the onboard bill?

[cfitch]

Only NY. Just for your record a quick google search indicates Bermuda has NO sales tax on record. Wouldn't matter anyway. It is the originating port that counts.

[Demonyte]

Wouldn't matter anyway. It is the originating port that counts.

 

Not true. On Getaway's current itinerary sales tax is collected at least at GSC (Bahamas) besides Miami.

[hawkeyetlse]

I agree with Demonyte. Anytime the ship is in port (or in someone's territorial waters), it is subject to local laws, including tax laws. A lot of places make various exceptions for cruise ships, and don't collect tax, but they would certainly have the right to if they wanted.

 

Here is an example of a report of tax being charged now in the Bahamas since last year:

UBP/taxes/Caribbean

 

I wonder how it works on Sky cruises, though.

Edited February 23, 2016 by hawkeyetlse

[hdowney]

Anyone know what the taxes are/if there are any in Venice, Croatia and Greece?

[hawkeyetlse]

In Europe, because of EU-wide tax regulations, the departure port does (sometimes) determine tax status for the entire cruise. In your case (assuming you are asking about your 16 Oct 2016 Jade sailing) the itinerary is RT Venice and does not leave the EU VAT area, so Italian tax will be collected throughout the cruise. The good news is that tax for food and drink purchases on board appears to be 0% :), but you will pay something like 20% tax on gift shop and photo gallery purchases, things like that :(.

[hdowney]

In Europe, because of EU-wide tax regulations, the departure port does (sometimes) determine tax status for the entire cruise. In your case (assuming you are asking about your 16 Oct 2016 Jade sailing) the itinerary is RT Venice and does not leave the EU VAT area, so Italian tax will be collected throughout the cruise. The good news is that tax for food and drink purchases on board appears to be 0% :), but you will pay something like 20% tax on gift shop and photo gallery purchases, things like that :(.

 

Interesting thank you. So for the UBP we should be grand. No 18% gratuity and no taxes. I will 'possibly' be buying a photo or two, depending on how I think I look - I HATE my pic taken!!!. I wouldn't imagine I'd be buying anything in the gift shop, but I say that now!!!!!!!

[ngrund]

We are leaving from New York to Bermuda. What is the sales tax? How much is it and how do i know when it's in effect?

 

 

sales tax is 8.875%, will probably be about 90 cents a drink

[ellieocb]

HDowney I knew you were a fellow Irish girl when you said "I should be grand" I get snagged about that expression all the time from my English co workers 😁

[NancyL2]

HDowney I knew you were a fellow Irish girl when you said "I should be grand" I get snagged about that expression all the time from my English co workers 😁

 

 

Same here...it's either grand or lovely. Love it!

[hdowney]

HDowney I knew you were a fellow Irish girl when you said "I should be grand" I get snagged about that expression all the time from my English co workers 😁

 

Same here...it's either grand or lovely. Love it!

 

Yup. Lived my whole life in Wicklow :)

 

Do have some English-isms though as I was raised by my English mother. Forever getting stick over here for the way I pronounce things like can't and dance!!!!

[ellieocb]

Same here...it's either grand or lovely. Love it!

 

Lol me too !

[zqvol]

thank you for the responses... I don't care about the first 3 miles or so but what I would care about is if Bermuda was one of these ports that also charges the tax. Does anyone know? Is it just NY or is it Bermuda too? Also, does this tax just get added to the onboard bill?

 

 

The only place they have to collect sales tax is in US ports, and not even all of them require it.

[hawkeyetlse]

The only place they have to collect sales tax is in US ports, and not even all of them require it.

They have to collect local taxes in every port that requires it, and that includes some non-US ports. The example of the Bahamas was already mentioned twice in this thread. (If you cruised to the Bahamas before 2015, this has changed, they are now collecting 7.5% VAT.)

 

Up to now Bermuda has had no sales tax, but they are planning to introduce a 5% GST starting in mid-2017. There may be an exemption for cruise ships, but this must be granted by Bermuda. There is no blanket rule preventing non-US ports from collecting their own taxes.

[mickeychicky]

if a person has the UDP, is it effective the minute you get on the cruise and for the entire duration? I feel like I've read few reviews mentioning there wan extra fee for drinks wile in port but I cat find any definitive information. Are there any other fees we will have to pay for drinks while having the UDP?

 

 

I have never paid sales tax on my drinks in port with Royal Caribbean but Norwegian does charge it. All Florida sailings. Lots of folks like to argue with that and try to tell me what I already know about Florida sales tax. However, I actually have all my RCCL end of cruise statements and NONE of them reflect charges from port on my departure dates. And NCL does charge sales tax on their drinks on Great Stirrup Cay (??) and again RCL does NOT charge it on CocoCay which is right across from GSC.

 

No definitive answer on why one charges the tax and other does not. Maybe RCL "hides" their sales tax within the package price itself and collects it that way but I have ever paid tax on alcohol in Florida ports.

[ngrund]

,,,

[p&lcruisers]

You do not pay sales tax in Bermuda.

[emcelh]

I have never paid sales tax on my drinks in port with Royal Caribbean but Norwegian does charge it. All Florida sailings. Lots of folks like to argue with that and try to tell me what I already know about Florida sales tax. However, I actually have all my RCCL end of cruise statements and NONE of them reflect charges from port on my departure dates. And NCL does charge sales tax on their drinks on Great Stirrup Cay (??) and again RCL does NOT charge it on CocoCay which is right across from GSC.

 

No definitive answer on why one charges the tax and other does not. Maybe RCL "hides" their sales tax within the package price itself and collects it that way but I have ever paid tax on alcohol in Florida ports.

Someone is paying it. Anyone notice this thread is a year old.