VAT when in Port

[karenm, karenm]

Do all cruise lines charge VAT when alongside in UK, so does it appear as an additional charge when buying drinks at the bar?

[carol, welwyn garden city]

As far as I'm aware it is only when in Spanish waters that VAT is charged as extra.

The American lines will add a service charge to your drink which will appear as an additional charge, ie Celebrity, Cunard, RCL, Princess, but P&O and Fred Olsen don't.

Mind you I haven't cruised for over 2 years, so things could have changed

[JohnR, Chippenham]

Do all cruise lines charge VAT when alongside in UK, so does it appear as an additional charge when buying drinks at the bar?

As far as I am aware Cunard and P&O prices are the same when on board in Southampton on embarkation day as when at sea.

[Wilba]

I have recently returned from a Marella Med cruise where all ports were Spanish bar one.
No additional VAT was applied at any point..........Wilba

[karenm, karenm]

I am sailing on Virgin from Portsmouth and apparently when alongside they add 20% to the drinks prices. I don’t understand why some cruise lines do this and others don’t.

[Topdeck, London]

Just because some ships don't itemise VAT does not mean it is not getting paid.

some may just absorb the cost, some it won't apply as they are AI prepaid.

There was some legislation when UK in the EU that allowed UK cruise to be VAT free if they did a foreign port, St.Peter Port was popular.
There was other legislation dealing with exemptions for ferry business to keep them running.

No idea what the current situation is now we are out.

Probably still depend on the ports.

[annie, Glasgow]

I am sailing on Virgin from Portsmouth and apparently when alongside they add 20% to the drinks prices. I don’t understand why some cruise lines do this and others don’t.

Virgin only started trading post-Brexit.

Probably this has been agreed with HMRC.

Annie