Tax on food and beverage while docked in Miami?

[WonderMan3]

So we just boarded Getaway yesterday and had lunch at Margaritaville while we were still docked in Miami. Our meal was free as The Haven was offering complimentary lunch that day for its guests. And we have a drink package so no charge for our beverages. But our server told us that because we were docked in Miami that we had to pay a food and beverage tax on what we ordered that was not covered by our drink package. He said that tax would apply at any bar or restaurant we drank at while we were docked in Miami.

 

Has anyone else heard of this? We cruised out of Miami on Celebrity the past couple of years and have ordered drinks on embarkation day and never been asked to pay a tax so it sounded very suspicious. Is this something new or just an NCL thing? I have attached a photo of our receipt.

 

 

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[tef43]

This is standard operating procedure, and not just on NCL.

[weltek]

Yes, it's a thing. If it's getting close to sailaway time, I think a lot of the servers and bartenders are kind enough to delay swiping your card.

 

I hadn't heard about it being the case for the Haven "free lunch at Margaritaville," though. Perhaps I just haven't paid attention since I'm not in the Haven. Glad it didn't amount to much.

[yummysbakery]

So we just boarded Getaway yesterday and had lunch at Margaritaville while we were still docked in Miami. Our meal was free as The Haven was offering complimentary lunch that day for its guests. And we have a drink package so no charge for our beverages. But our server told us that because we were docked in Miami that we had to pay a food and beverage tax on what we ordered that was not covered by our drink package. He said that tax would apply at any bar or restaurant we drank at while we were docked in Miami.

 

Has anyone else heard of this? We cruised out of Miami on Celebrity the past couple of years and have ordered drinks on embarkation day and never been asked to pay a tax so it sounded very suspicious. Is this something new or just an NCL thing? I have attached a photo of our receipt.

 

 

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Two years ago I was on the getaway and wasn't charged anything extra but that was when Ncl didn't charge for gratuities on the drink packages ( it was all included). Now there have been several reports of this happening and also it seems to vary from ship to ship. Leaving Friday for two Ncl cruises one out of Orlando and one out of Miami so I'll report back on my experience.

 

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[mjkacmom]

We get charged sailing out of NYC.

[beerman2]

Yes definitely charged Miami City tax on drinks while docked.

 

I've never done a pay fee restaurant for lunch, but looks like that is the case!

[purpletequila]

Celebrity doesn’t charge it. Apparently it is a state or city law so every cruise line collects and pays the tax, but Celebrity must build it into their drink package cost cause I’m with you. I’ve gone X 5 times. Never been charged the pennies NCL charges in POM even though NCLs drink package is much more and you pay the 18% on top of the “free” value. And I like the NCL product. Jumped from X cause the night life bored me. But there is no getting around the fact that this kind of thing is tacky. Lol

[purpletequila]

This is standard operating procedure, and not just on NCL.

 

Do you know which other ones do it? I know X doesn’t pass it to the customer. I don’t think Royal does either but it’s been a while. Not saying other lines don’t, but some definitely do not.

[WonderMan3]

Celebrity doesn’t charge it. Apparently it is a state or city law so every cruise line collects and pays the tax, but Celebrity must build it into their drink package cost cause I’m with you. I’ve gone X 5 times. Never been charged the pennies NCL charges in POM even though NCLs drink package is much more and you pay the 18% on top of the “free” value. And I like the NCL product. Jumped from X cause the night life bored me. But there is no getting around the fact that this kind of thing is tacky. Lol

 

 

 

Thank you for confirming this. And it is very tacky and cheap. It’s one of the reasons we stopped cruising NCL 7 years ago as the nickel and diming was just out of control. Only back with them now as we got an offer via a local casino. And yes, before any cheerleaders start jumping in, we can certainly afford a $2 tax, but it’s more of the principle of it.

 

 

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[roger001]

We've always been charged out of Miami and a couple of other ports. Maybe X just eats the charge thinking the paperwork on each order isn't worth the expense to them involved.

[ColeThornton]

Thank you for confirming this. And it is very tacky and cheap. It’s one of the reasons we stopped cruising NCL 7 years ago as the nickel and diming was just out of control. Only back with them now as we got an offer via a local casino. And yes, before any cheerleaders start jumping in, we can certainly afford a $2 tax, but it’s more of the principle of it.

 

 

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Well, apparently your principles are flexible. Welcome back to NCL. lolz

[ray98]

Carnival does the same thing. It is not that uncommon.

[Tiggertastic]

Yes happens in Spain and New Orleans too. Celebrity don’t pass on the charge but both Ncl and rccl have in our experience

 

 

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[buckeyefrank]

We were charged on the Escape a couple years ago out of Miami and fully expect to be charged in NY next year on the same ship going to Bermuda.

 

Does anyone know if when the ship is docked in Bermuda if sales tax is charged?

 

Thanks

[ladyrizza]

Does anyone know if when the ship is docked in Bermuda if sales tax is charged?

I would also like to know being I will be in Bermuda for 2 1/2 days and wonder if my drinks will be taxed the whole time I am there?

[ColinIllinois]

The answer to the Bermuda question is: NO. No tax charged while docked in Bermuda.

[buckeyefrank]

The answer to the Bermuda question is: NO. No tax charged while docked in Bermuda.

 

That's what I thought. Thank you very much for your response.

[KeithJenner]

Thank you for confirming this. And it is very tacky and cheap. It’s one of the reasons we stopped cruising NCL 7 years ago as the nickel and diming was just out of control. Only back with them now as we got an offer via a local casino. And yes, before any cheerleaders start jumping in, we can certainly afford a $2 tax, but it’s more of the principle of it.

 

Being from the US, aren't you used to tax being added to purchases?

 

It's great if some vendors, such as celebrity in this case, choose to swallow the tax charge, but if passing it onto the customer is tacky then doesn't that make most establishments in the US tacky?

[DMH15]

If I choose to drink and NCL incurs a fee based on my decision I have no problems paying this charge.

 

 

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[boatseller]

Thank you for confirming this. And it is very tacky and cheap. It’s one of the reasons we stopped cruising NCL 7 years ago as the nickel and diming was just out of control. Only back with them now as we got an offer via a local casino. And yes, before any cheerleaders start jumping in, we can certainly afford a $2 tax, but it’s more of the principle of it.

 

Then you beef is with the Florida State Legislature, Miami-Dade County Commission and the City of Miami as NCL is merely following the law.

[beerman2]

Thank you for confirming this. And it is very tacky and cheap. It’s one of the reasons we stopped cruising NCL 7 years ago as the nickel and diming was just out of control. Only back with them now as we got an offer via a local casino. And yes, before any cheerleaders start jumping in, we can certainly afford a $2 tax, but it’s more of the principle of it.

 

 

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So NCL is to blame for collecting Miami City tax that is imposed upon NCL. That is business not your so called nickel and diming.

 

Because 1 cruiseline(Celebrity) chooses to take the financial hit good for them.

 

Certainly doesn’t make it wrong the others don’t take the hit.

 

 

 

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[ditmar2007]

So we just boarded Getaway yesterday and had lunch at Margaritaville while we were still docked in Miami. Our meal was free as The Haven was offering complimentary lunch that day for its guests. And we have a drink package so no charge for our beverages. But our server told us that because we were docked in Miami that we had to pay a food and beverage tax on what we ordered that was not covered by our drink package. He said that tax would apply at any bar or restaurant we drank at while we were docked in Miami.

 

I've heard you will see the equivalent in some countries in the Med, only it's VAT that has to be paid as long as the ship is considered being IN the country.

[Two Wheels Only]

Conversely, Celebrity just spreads the cost among all guests whether they drink in port or not. With the higher fare, Celebrity can use the extra income to cover the tax. It just "seems" that X is covering it but it's still being paid by the passengers.

[adam_s_allen]

Yeah I don't feel it as nickel and diming. NCL is not making a single nickel or dime from collecting your tax and paying it to the government. I actually prefer the system NCL uses. You pay for the services that YOU actually use, not just a higher fare to all to cover the costs.

[KeithJenner]

I've heard you will see the equivalent in some countries in the Med, only it's VAT that has to be paid as long as the ship is considered being IN the country.

 

 

 

Actually, it can be worse in the Med as the tax is charged for the entire cruise on some itineraries where they don’t leave the EU.

 

Luckily, they seem to have avoided charging it if you have the UBP these days, but it’s still payable if you are buying your drinks individually.

 

 

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