SPANISH VAT for every drink?

[sfxthx]

I received this mail from NCL for my Mediterranean Cruise with Norwegian Dawn in November.

 

Dear Valued Guests and Travel Partners,

Thank you for your loyalty and for making us your vacation of choice.

We have important information regarding Value Added Taxes (VAT) applicable on your upcoming European sailing. Travel Partners are asked to please share this information with impacted guests.

We pride ourselves on delivering incredible vacations from beginning to end including the ability to shop at our onboard boutiques, upgrade your experience with our Unlimited Open Bar packages, and indulge in unique culinary offerings available at our specialty restaurants that provide a variety of tastes for every palate.  

Due to local tax regulations, please note that a 21% Spanish VAT will be added to applicable retail items purchased on board for sailings departing from Spain and calling to European port cities. Additionally, a 10% VAT will be applied to all food and beverage purchases made onboard, including purchases made under our Unlimited Open Bar or Specialty Dining packages, for certain sailings departing from Spain or any European itinerary while in Spanish waters.

If you live outside the European Union (EU)*, some purchases may be eligible for a partial VAT refund. In order to obtain a VAT refund, you must request a claim form at the store at the time of purchase and you may need to provide your passport in order to obtain the form. For more information, please visit https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/guide-vat-refund-visitors-eu_en.  

Should you have any additional questions, you may contact us directly at (866) 234-7350. Guests residing outside of the U.S. or Canada should visit www.ncl.com for local information. 

We hope you have an incredible vacation and look forward to creating exciting memories together!

Sincerely,


Norwegian Cruise Line

 

 

This cruise does not include a NON-EU-Port, so does this really mean I have to pay 10% Spanish VAT for every drink purchased under the free at sea package the whole cruise???

[schmoopie17]

This has been a hot topic on this board for a long time. You may want to search past threads to see the multitude of opinions on this issue.

 

For what it's worth, we were on a TA last November that included stops in four Spain ports. We were charged the tax on drinks in every one of those ports.

 

Apparently there are nuances on every cruise regarding if the cruise stops only in EU ports, or if it includes stops in ports outside the EU...which ours was. It's a very confusing issue, to say the least. There almost seems to be no rhyme or reason to when taxes are, or aren't charged. In other words...as they say on CC...YMMV.

 

 

Edited August 31, 2023 by schmoopie17

[9tee2Sea]

its going to be a small amount of dollars added to your total bill ( probably less than 50.00) You can submit paperwork to get the VAT refunded after your cruise.  I don't even bother any longer trying to get the refund. Last time I purchased something in Israel, they gave filled out the paperwork so I could get my VAT refund.  I got the refund about 6 weeks later ( it was close to 75.00).  Went to my bank to cash the check, no bank would cash it.  It was written on a foreign bank account, in Israel.  And that was from a Bank that had locations in Israel. Now I just tell myself its another way for Countries to tax tourists

[CambsCruiser82]

1 hour ago, 9tee2Sea said:

its going to be a small amount of dollars added to your total bill ( probably less than 50.00) You can submit paperwork to get the VAT refunded after your cruise.  I don't even bother any longer trying to get the refund. Last time I purchased something in Israel, they gave filled out the paperwork so I could get my VAT refund.  I got the refund about 6 weeks later ( it was close to 75.00).  Went to my bank to cash the check, no bank would cash it.  It was written on a foreign bank account, in Israel.  And that was from a Bank that had locations in Israel. Now I just tell myself its another way for Countries to tax tourists

VAT returns are not available for food and beverage purchases.