taxes for drinks in US ports

[CruzeQueen2]

@Cruise Raider I like your response as well! True, way back in the day, when we purchased those lovely wine cards, we weren't charged extra taxes. Good Point and thank you.

[Crystabel]

3 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

That may be something that can get them into a world of hurt .. I probably wouldn’t announce that too often on any more public boards.  

I didn’t name names and it was a long time ago. No one will be in a world of hurt. 

[Cruise Raider]

13 minutes ago, Crystabel said:

I didn’t name names and it was a long time ago. No one will be in a world of hurt. 

good .. thank you for clearing that up!  

[caribill]

35 minutes ago, CruzeQueen2 said:

A further question here -  if I purchase the package on the 2nd day, is the cost reduced by one day's costs, e.g., $420 instead of $480?

Thanks for responding.

 

I do not know if you can purchase the package on day 2, but if you can it will not be at a reduced price.

 

Of course that would mean you did not get the Internet part of the package on day 1. Not sure about the crew gratuities for day 1 either.

[jujuyu211]

I know per drink it is not a lot (on average $1.50 per drink) and I won't let it ruin anything... but I can see how it can add up for someone on a cruise with multiple US ports... especially if they stay on the ship and have a few alcoholic drinks around the pool or grab some waters or coffees... it just seems like a bummer to buy the package and still incur costs per drink rather than the carefree "yes I paid for everything already" I guess we will see when we get aboard, just wanted to set expectations but won't let a few dollars worry us!

 

It sounds like most agree that on Princess if you have the package, then drinks are not charged local taxes. That makes a lot of sense since I am not purchasing anything, just utilizing a service I paid for previously. However on Carnival they do charge local taxes for drink package consumption. That could be confusing.

[startedwithamouse]

11 minutes ago, jujuyu211 said:

on Princess if you have the package, then drinks are not charged local taxes

This is correct, unless you go over your set drink price, then you pay 18% service charge and local taxes on the difference.

Edited March 20, 2023 by startedwithamouse

[Thrak]

4 hours ago, Crystabel said:

I didn’t name names and it was a long time ago. No one will be in a world of hurt. 

 

It used to be common practice to hold your purchase of things like a coffee card or wine package until out of port before charging your account. It's unfortunate that it isn't done all the time these days.

[Tedferg]

From Princess FAQ:

Can I purchase Princess Plus or Princess Premier when I’m on board?
Yes. Princess Plus and Princess Premier will be available to purchase on board beginning with voyages sailing 2/20/23 and beyond. You may purchase a package on the first day of your voyage.

 

 

Note first day!

[damiross]

19 hours ago, travelin.sisters said:

These are our two experiences with taxes in ports:

 

We sailed late out of Los Angeles on our recent cruise & my BIL had a charge for tax on soda at dinner. 

 

Last year when we were docked in Maui (not Lahaina the other one that I never remember the name of) people with beverage plans were upset because there were taxes on beverages in their plans. 

Hawaii doesn't have a sales tax.  They have something even more hideous - a general excise tax (GET). An excise tax is charged on businesses.  The GET is 4% plus any county surcharge.  The business can charge customers 4.166% ti recoup the GET.
 

The above is just a long way of saying that Princess is probably being charged the GET and is pasiung it on. 

Hawaii Tax Facts - General Excise Tax

[jujuyu211]

11 hours ago, CruzeQueen2 said:

My question is about the purchase of the Princess Plus package, while still in the Vancouver port. I plan to buy the package once onboard the ship.

Will be using up my OBC plus more to be charged to my account, once I board the ship. Late sailing that day - at 10:45pm. Will the package purchase be charged with extra taxes since I am buying it while sitting at the dock in Vancouver. My question is about the taxes...My purchase for an 8 day cruise will be $480 per person.

Thanks!

 
I believe taxes are only for US ports so you shouldn’t be affected for Vancouver departure. I am curious for US port departures whether drink packages will be taxed purchased onboard will be taxed?
 

How about Alaska? Anyone know if there’s local taxes for purchases there? Most Alaska itineraries are mostly US ports with a few hours in Victoria (or Prince Rupert).

[caribill]

42 minutes ago, jujuyu211 said:

 
I believe taxes are only for US ports so you shouldn’t be affected for Vancouver departure.

 

Some overseas ports also. If I remember correctly, at least one Spanish port.

[jujuyu211]

17 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

Some overseas ports also. If I remember correctly, at least one Spanish port.

 

Oops I stand corrected!

[Tedferg]

9 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Some overseas ports also. If I remember correctly, at least one Spanish port.

Correct, we found that in Barcelona.

[Laughingbear]

Anyone get an answer for this one? I have a Princess cruise coming up in a couple weeks out of Los Angeles that is spending two days in San Francisco and one day in San Diego.

 

I do plan to purchase Plus when I get on board the first day so I can use my OBC to cover a portion of the expense.

 

But, I'd love to know if I will need to worry about taxes on my drinks considering how long I will be at US ports.

[Cruise Raider]

6 hours ago, Laughingbear said:

Anyone get an answer for this one? I have a Princess cruise coming up in a couple weeks out of Los Angeles that is spending two days in San Francisco and one day in San Diego.

 

I do plan to purchase Plus when I get on board the first day so I can use my OBC to cover a portion of the expense.

 

But, I'd love to know if I will need to worry about taxes on my drinks considering how long I will be at US ports.

having sailed in and out of all these ports recently, I can definitely tell you you will not pay any taxes on these drinks that are covered under the Plus Package.  However, I know you will pay a city tax on any overage of the plus package.  So, if you purchase an $18 glass of wine while in any of these ports, you will pay the $3 overage, 18% gratuity on the $3 for a charge of $3.54 total on your folio.  Then, you will pay a city tax separately listed on your folio.  In San Francisco, it’s 8.6xx%.  In Honolulu, it was 4.5%.  So, each city will determine its own tax .. it’s higher in California but still a negligible amount when factored onto a $3 charge.  
What you will want to do if you choose to buy a bottle of wine at 25% off with the package, is wait until you are at sea to purchase it.  
Screen shot in truncated but will show like this on your folio if your drink is over the $15 limit while you are port.  
 

Edited June 4, 2023 by Cruise Raider

[Laughingbear]

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

having sailed in and out of all these ports recently, I can definitely tell you you will not pay any taxes on these drinks that are covered under the Plus Package.  However, I know you will pay a city tax on any overage of the plus package.  So, if you purchase an $18 glass of wine while in any of these ports, you will pay the $3 overage, 18% gratuity on the $3 for a charge of $3.54 total on your folio.  Then, you will pay a city tax separately listed on your folio.  In San Francisco, it’s 8.6xx%.  In Honolulu, it was 4.5%.  So, each city will determine its own tax .. it’s higher in California but still a negligible amount when factored onto a $3 charge.  
What you will want to do if you choose to buy a bottle of wine at 25% off with the package, is wait until you are at sea to purchase it.  
Screen shot in truncated but will show like this on your folio if your drink is over the $15 limit while you are port.  
 

Awesome!! Thank you for the info!

[Baebe]

We had the drink package on Princess in February, leaving L.A. no taxes.  On Norwegian,  from NYC, in April we had package and they charged.  We were late leaving so it was many hours. Then when got to Spain,  they charged again, not only in port, but when also in Spanish seas. 4 days in Spanish waters! I was so mad. We've cruised to Spain on Celebrity in 2019 and on MSC a week after Norwegian and weren't charged. It may not have been alot of money but it pisses me off. Where else do they do this?

Edited August 1, 2023 by Baebe

[tothemall&beyond]

Yes, once many years ago, we made the mistake of ordering a coffee package while still in Port Everglades and got charged Florida tax. We went to Guest Services and they reversed the purchase of as yet unused package. We waited to sail out of US waters and re-purchased it without taxes.

[victory2020]

On 3/20/2023 at 11:40 AM, DallasGuy75219 said:

That's subject to interpretation.  Carnival does charge sales tax on the menu price of drinks from a package and wine from a wine package opened in US waters (as well as free Drinks On Us in the casino on New Orleans cruises until the ship reaches the Gulf of Mexico).

As does NCL & I believe HAL

[Dotproduct65]

I just cage back from a 10 day NCL cruise. We had the drink package and were charged sales tax on the "retail price" of every drink in EVERY port including their own island. The rates varied and it added almost $200.00 on top of cost of the drink package. I was shocked. Also shocked at how sales tax can be collected on an item you aren't spending any money on???? Is this a scam by NCL. my daughter went on Royal caribean a week before and no taxes???

[startedwithamouse]

Just now, Dotproduct65 said:

I just cage back from a 10 day NCL cruise. We had the drink package and were charged sales tax on the "retail price" of every drink in EVERY port including their own island. The rates varied and it added almost $200.00 on top of cost of the drink package. I was shocked. Also shocked at how sales tax can be collected on an item you aren't spending any money on???? Is this a scam by NCL. my daughter went on Royal caribean a week before and no taxes???

This is a Princess page.

 

Perhaps ask on an NCL page?

[skynight]

Are you asking if Princess does the same as NCL?

[startedwithamouse]

1 minute ago, skynight said:

Are you asking if Princess does the same as NCL?

They don't. They've already charged tax on the package as it was previously sold. 

[memoak]

37 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

They don't. They've already charged tax on the package as it was previously sold. 

Packages do not have sales tax. I order from a state where there is no sales tax. What rate do you think they would use ?

[startedwithamouse]

4 hours ago, memoak said:

Packages do not have sales tax. I order from a state where there is no sales tax. What rate do you think they would use ?

Sorry, service charge, not tax. 

 

Tax is charged on Specialty Restaurants though, when charged on board on a port day.