Free cruise--what to expect???

[lawyergirl22]

Hi all!

 

Imagine my surprise and excitement when I was the big BINGO winner the last day of our Constellation 12/3 sailing! Having never considered myself to be a particularly lucky person, I was beyond excited to call out BINGO for the first time. The prize was a 7 day cruise to Alaska out of Seattle on the Mercury in 2006.

 

Has anyone else won and actually taken the cruise? This is a for an inside or oceanview--whatever is available. However, we can pay to upgrade to a balcony if available. Was this really expensive??? Do I get taxed on this? And if so, when?

 

What is the Mercury like? We have only sailed on M class ships in the past.

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

 

Gianna

[tadjr]

Congrats Gianna! We were wondering who won the cruise. We ended up winning 1/2 of the $1000 bingo pot and were happy, but WOW!

Enjoy the sailing. The Alaska cruise will be totally different than the Connie. Have a great time!

I'm so jealous....

[kitty9]

Remember, you will have to declare the total value of that cruise on your tax return and you will have to pay tax on the entire value of the trip. You will probably receive some form called a 1099 or a 1099W2G and you will have to report the value as income. That's the only negative part of winnning the free cruise.

[Eagle 1]

:D Congradulations, I would think that being out at sea that their would be no tax due, when people win in the casino do you think that they report it, I don't, and I don't think that RC would report you to IRS,if they did not ask for your social security number I think you are OK. Lucky You

[Eagle 1]

:D Congradulations, I would think that being out at sea that their would be no tax due, when people win in the casino do you think that they report it, I don't, and I don't think that RC would report you to IRS,if they did not ask for your social security number I think you are OK. Lucky You

[flashdog_1]

How wonderful for you! On Celebrity.com check the itinerary so you know how many hours you have in port so you can arrange any shore excursions. Be sure to visit the Alaska board for all sorts of advice.

[morriscats]

Congratulations on winning a free cruise. I am jealous. I am equally jealous that it is Mercury. We just got back from Hawaii on Infinity and she is a beautiful ship but Mercury is still our favorite. You will love it.

[Karynanne]

Congratulations! You'll enjoy Mercury....a wonderful ship, and Alaska is just beautiful. Nice to hear someone won...

 

Karyn

[lisiamc]

Gosh, now I'm sorry that I never play Bingo. Congrats! I know you'll enjoy Alaska and Mercury - have a great time!

 

Lisa

[kb4683]

Congrats, Gianna!

My husband won a Caribbean cruise while on Mercury in October, isn't it exciting??

We have already booked -- Century 9-night out of Ft. Lauderdale in February. Everything went smoothly.

You may e-mail me and I can tell you how we got thru the booking process.

By the way, we've been on Mercury 3 times and absolutely love her!

 

Kay

kbn1946@comcast.net

[lawyergirl22]

Thank you for all the replies--we are super excited!!! Kay, I will be emailing you soon for more info. Appreciate the help.:D

 

Gianna

[kitty9]

Eagle1, not so about not taxing winnings on cruise ships. I just received a 1099 W2G in the mail from Carnival Cruise Lines for a jackpot I won on the QM2 last January---I was absolutely shocked to see that since the casino staff never had me sign anything while I was on the ship. My mom and sister also got the same tax forms for their jackpot, which the cruise line also sends to the IRS. I called my tax accountant and told him that in all my cruises, I've never received a W2G before, and he said that by law, it doesn't matter if you're on a cruise ship or in Monte Carlo, if you win anything gambling, you have to declare it and pay tax. The IRS is cracking down on cruise lines and making them give the W2G forms to cruise passengers.

[tadjr]

Unless its an attendant payout that you have to go the the bank for, how will they even know who won it? We had to sign a form from bingo to take to the bank, but my friends who won the money in the casino didnt have to sign anything since the money was handed out right there. Will wait and see what happens I guess. Also no asking for SS # so other than trying to match addresses how are they going to report the right person as the winner? Still the cost of tax on a free cruise isnt going to be anywhere near the price of the cruise to begin with so enjoy it anyway!

[cusyl]

We won a cruise a couple years ago at the drawing after bingo. We were not taxed on this win.

[decal]

Any jackpot of $1200 or more in one hit is taxable. If you have ever won a jackpot and they ask for your driver's license and social security card, it's taxable. I would assume the same applies to winning a cruise, car, etc.

 

Also, you can offset your gambling winnings by your gambling losses as long as everything is documented. You cannot claim losses more than what you won (in other words you cannot take a net gambling loss). My accountant tells me always cash a check at the casino as opposed to taking cash from the bank.

 

In a casino you can hit $1,000 pay outs on day long and you will not get a 1099.

[jagoffee]

Don't forget to deduct all your loses for the year to offset some of he winnings posted on 1099.

[Outlanderssc]

how will they even know who won it?

 

As X is based in Miami, I expect the IRS inspects their books regularly, especially large value payouts. Just like any land-based casino.

 

And yes, income is income - whether it's cash or property or services, and whether you receive it in the US or outside.

 

Ask any US citizen who has worked overseas.

[bilgeboyPa]

I won the last night jackpot at Bingo on a cruise and it was $3800. They just handed me the cash and off I went....to pay off the cabin charge:( . Still had a few bucks for my troubles though:rolleyes:

 

Jeff

[RodPat]

My husband has won in Atlantic City and if it is more than $1200 on a slot machine you will get a 1099 from the casino. He has also won on a table game called let it ride. He recieved a 1099 for his winning on the bonus. He won $6000 on the game and $2500 on the bonus. They told him he had to pay on the bonus because the size of the bet on that is only $1.00 and that it has to do with the ratio of winning to the bet placed. Let's face it, if you recieve a 1099 that means the goverment knows you had that income. It's one thing to fudge a few facts but not to report this would be fraud. Pat