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Do Port Charges Count Towards Mariner Onboard Spending Bonus?


Overhead Fred
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I thought that they (and all tips charged by HAL) did but I wanted to check with wise sages on CC!

 

I am trying to figure out how much I need to drink, I mean spend, during our next cruise to move up one Star level.

 

Thanks in advance

To the best of my knowledge and experience, they do not. Port fees and taxes are like the cruise fare. They do not count as on-board spending.

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I was feeling guilty about posting a query before doing adequate research, so I looked at the Mariner FAQs on the HAL web site (and it didn't lock up on me!). I found this (bolding is mine) -

 

Q: Are any onboard charges excluded from the onboardpurchases bonus?

A: All casino charges, cash advances, Future Cruise deposits, and associated fees are excluded. All other onboard purchases, for example, Hotel Service Charge, Beverage Service Charge, taxes, shore excursions and all gift items purchased online or through Ship Services count towards bonus Cruise Day credits.

 

 

So it seems a little ambiguous - I will have to call or email the Mariner folks for clarification and report back. I would note that when you miss/change a port, the port charge refund shows up as a credit on your onboard account.

 

Long Live Creativity!

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Port fees are not included to calculate Mariner spending days.

 

Absolutely correct.

 

I was feeling guilty about posting a query before doing adequate research, so I looked at the Mariner FAQs on the HAL web site (and it didn't lock up on me!). I found this (bolding is mine) -

 

Q: Are any onboard charges excluded from the onboardpurchases bonus?

A: All casino charges, cash advances, Future Cruise deposits, and associated fees are excluded. All other onboard purchases, for example, Hotel Service Charge, Beverage Service Charge, taxes, shore excursions and all gift items purchased online or through Ship Services count towards bonus Cruise Day credits.

 

 

So it seems a little ambiguous - I will have to call or email the Mariner folks for clarification and report back. I would note that when you miss/change a port, the port charge refund shows up as a credit on your onboard account.

 

Long Live Creativity!

 

The taxes are taxes that can be charged on drinks and other purchased items when you are sailing in certain waters (ie. Spain). It is not the same as port taxes which form part of your fare.

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I was feeling guilty about posting a query before doing adequate research, so I looked at the Mariner FAQs on the HAL web site (and it didn't lock up on me!). I found this (bolding is mine) -

 

Q: Are any onboard charges excluded from the onboardpurchases bonus?

A: All casino charges, cash advances, Future Cruise deposits, and associated fees are excluded. All other onboard purchases, for example, Hotel Service Charge, Beverage Service Charge, taxes, shore excursions and all gift items purchased online or through Ship Services count towards bonus Cruise Day credits.

 

 

So it seems a little ambiguous - I will have to call or email the Mariner folks for clarification and report back. I would note that when you miss/change a port, the port charge refund shows up as a credit on your onboard account.

 

Long Live Creativity!

In this case, Taxes would refer to the state sales tax you pay if you buy something (a drink) within the territorial waters of Florida, Massachuttes, Washington, or other states.That is why we have the suggestion to have on board gifts delivered "at sea" so that those taxes would not be charged.

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I was feeling guilty about posting a query before doing adequate research, so I looked at the Mariner FAQs on the HAL web site (and it didn't lock up on me!). I found this (bolding is mine) -

 

 

 

Q: Are any onboard charges excluded from the onboardpurchases bonus?

 

A: All casino charges, cash advances, Future Cruise deposits, and associated fees are excluded. All other onboard purchases, for example, Hotel Service Charge, Beverage Service Charge, taxes, shore excursions and all gift items purchased online or through Ship Services count towards bonus Cruise Day credits.

 

 

 

 

 

So it seems a little ambiguous - I will have to call or email the Mariner folks for clarification and report back. I would note that when you miss/change a port, the port charge refund shows up as a credit on your onboard account.

 

 

 

Long Live Creativity!

 

 

 

Port fees & taxes are paid as part of your cruise fare and are paid before you board the ship. To count as onboard spending, a charge would need to be paid when you were actually on the ship. I've never heard of additional port charges being posted while onboard, but I guess that could be possible.

 

My guess is that in the context you posted taxes refers to any taxes charged for purchases on the ship. For instance, some cities such as Miami require the ship to tax all alcohol purchases until the ship leaves port. Others may do the same. If you get clarification on this, please post back.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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Port fees & taxes are paid as part of your cruise fare and are paid before you board the ship. To count as onboard spending, a charge would need to be paid when you were actually on the ship.

Just to be clear, purchases made prior to boarding are counted toward Mariner credits.

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Just to be clear, purchases made prior to boarding are counted toward Mariner credits.

 

 

 

Thank you for clarifying that! I didn't realize those purchases counted too. I thought only those made on the ship were counted. Makes sense though.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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When ordering a $40.00 bottle of liquor what is the added tax amount for delivery in a U.S. departure port?

It will depend on the State, County and sometimes other sales taxes for the port.

Example:

Fort Lauderdale, 7% pr $2.80

Miami, 6% or $2,40

Seattle, 10.1% or $4.04

 

If you request the bottle be delivered "at sea" these taxes will not be due, but the bottle will normally be in your cabin when you arrive.

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Just to be clear, purchases made prior to boarding are counted toward Mariner credits.

So if I've prebooked/prepaid for a cabana for the length of the cruise, those amounts will be counted toward Mariner credits?

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Just to be clear, purchases made prior to boarding are counted toward Mariner credits.

Prior to my recent cruise, a HAL phone rep told me that my pre-booked excursions would not count towards earning credit for Mariner status, only those booked on board. I knew from the good folks on this Board that was not the case . . . . ;)

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Thank you for clarifying that! I didn't realize those purchases counted too.
So if I've prebooked/prepaid for a cabana for the length of the cruise, those amounts will be counted toward Mariner credits?
Yes, they are covered by the clause "... and all gift items purchased online or through Ship Services count towards bonus Cruise Day credits. " Purchases for yourself are considered gifts to yourself. The value of gifts from your friends/family/TA are counted too.
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I got official confirmation via e-mail from the Mariner Society. Port charges DO NOT count towards the onboard spending bonus.

 

Looks like more time in the bars and, most likely, the jewelry shops for me!

 

One reason I raised the question originally was that I was having a hard time figuring out the onboard spending bonus days for previous cruises without using the port charges. I guess maybe HAL is very generous when it comes to rounding up.

 

At least a few folks learned that their prepaid excursions, cabanas, restaurants, and such will count as onboard spending through my ill-conceived posting.

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