J441 Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 My daughter recently purchased the wifi package for our upcoming Symphony of the Seas cruise leaving from Barcelona. The taxes on this were almost 21%! The app mentions a charge for Spain's Value Added Tax. Have others encountered this? Is this typical of purchases made on ship? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall James-Vargas Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 @J441 Although I haven't cruised from Barcelona before, I'm very shocked by these taxes. I find it bizarre that the taxes for Wi-Fi are that high, and I don't even think that service is taxed. From my understanding, it's usually a flat-rate service. This sounds bizarre. How was every other onboard expenditure taxed? I understand this taxation for drinks perhaps or a service that encompasses a gratuity as well, but this just sounds odd to me. This is especially bizarre for an RCL ship since the cruise line is so popular in the States. Maybe I stand corrected, but I always thought tax-free, duty-free shopping was a huge perk of shopping onboard a cruise ship! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J441 Posted May 10 Author Share Posted May 10 The only other advance purchase we made (we sail next month) is for a shore excursion through RCL. There was no tax applied to that. That excursion is in Italy though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Caribbean Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 @J441 I think this taxation is unfair. Unless it's truly a government-mandated tax, this "Spain's Value Added Tax" sounds like an extra way for the cruise line to make money. Were you able to contact RCL about the reasoning behind it? I doubt you will receive a solid answer, but I'm curious to hear the line's stance on this extremely high taxation. Keep me posted on the final price post-cruise. I'm also curious to see if the cruise line ends up taxing you that high for all onboard expenditures as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FJB Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 I do remember the last cruise we took out of Barcelona, we were charged tax on our drinks while in the port of Barcelona and until we were in international waters. And this was even on those drinks included in the alcohol packages. No big deal to us on a couple of adult beverages- we were grateful to be on vacation embarking on a Med cruise! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J441 Posted May 14 Author Share Posted May 14 I spoke with an RCL representative today who said this is their standard tax rate, and it has nothing to do with Spain's VAT. So apparently any onboard purchase will be taxed over 20%. To break it down: Wifi for 2 devices- $230.93 Tax- $48.44 Total- $279.37 Needless to say, we won't be making any more onship purchases. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulB Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 It's absolutely disgusting that with the amount spent on going on these ships that they charge so much in the first instance but to add tax to that too is appalling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kefthecruiser Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 @J441 Wow, that just sounds so illegal for RCL to call it a tax when it is not. Tax is collected by governments, not companies. I assume they didn't explain why they set the price for wifi and then add more to it? And the money grabbing continues... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Caribbean Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 (edited) @J441 I agree with @kefthecruiser, how can this even be considered tax? RCL shouldn't call it a tax if it really isn't. This high percentage is more like a user convenience fee. I have noticed taxation on things on board but I have never noticed one this steep. I think Royal Caribbean Line is really trying to get crafty to recoup the previous year's losses. I just think this "tax" is a pretty sneaky and unreasonable way to do it. As you said, guests should be really cautious now about what they are purchasing onboard. This additional tax will make your bill rack up pretty quickly. Edited May 16 by Cruising Caribbean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Sisters Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 @J441 You just gotta love how the cruise line explicitly states the charge is for Spain's Value Added Tax, and then when you call the line says nevermind it's not that, and furthermore you have to pay it on everything. Sounds like a scam of a tax to me. Don't you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J441 Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 @3Sistersyes I'm not sure that the rep I spoke with was correct. I've seen in my other post on RCL blog that Spain has VAT of differing amounts depending on what is purchased, but it does actually go up to 21%! I'm just wondering if you can avoid the VAT if you delay your purchase until you're in international waters. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Sisters Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 @J441 That's a good thought. I wonder if this VAT can be avoided. Customer service reps often have no idea about all of these minute details. Sometimes they just pull an answer from their behind to appease the customer on the line and move on to the next call. From what the rep told you, it seems unavoidable, but based on the nature of the tax, it would make sense that purchases in international waters would avoid this VAT. The percentage is almost a joke to me, 21% is just way too high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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