Jason Martin
JDM
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2017
- Messages
- 229
Just got back last night from Barcelona on the 8/26 sailing. Wanted to provide these useful tips because i was looking for them before, and had a hard time:
On Board:
So they put a letter in your stateroom. For this cruise leaving Barcelona the VAT is 21% which is what spain charges, except for Drinks which is 10%. Drinks they included the VAT so I noticed:
Water was $2.25/bottle instead of $1.95, which made the case $45.00 instead of $39.00
Beer Mug was $16.95 vs $14.95
Internet packages were $23/$48/$110 vs $19/$39/$89
Spa - added 21% on top
Photo Gallery - added 21% on top of, so the all inclusive photo (prints and digital) was $544.44 instead of $444.95
Shops - added 21% on top of everything
VAT Refund for non-EU citizens:
On board you have to spend $108 in a single purchase. They will give you the form to get stamped at the airport. Bought about $200 on board, will get all back except a service fee which was 9.5 EUR
Despite earlier posts, US citizens do qualify for the VAT refund on photos - I did get charged a 23.5 EUR fee for the $95.45 VAT paid, so in both cases figure on giving up about 30% of the tax payment. You should carry your passport number with you on board, because you do need this for the forms at purchase.
At port the minimum in Spain is 90.16 EUR and in Italy 155 EUR to qualify for VAT refund.
Refund desk at BCN was pretty easy, waited about 10 minutes before I checked backs. They warn on board you must present the items unused and signs at the desk saying that too, but they never asked to inspect mine.
On Board:
So they put a letter in your stateroom. For this cruise leaving Barcelona the VAT is 21% which is what spain charges, except for Drinks which is 10%. Drinks they included the VAT so I noticed:
Water was $2.25/bottle instead of $1.95, which made the case $45.00 instead of $39.00
Beer Mug was $16.95 vs $14.95
Internet packages were $23/$48/$110 vs $19/$39/$89
Spa - added 21% on top
Photo Gallery - added 21% on top of, so the all inclusive photo (prints and digital) was $544.44 instead of $444.95
Shops - added 21% on top of everything
VAT Refund for non-EU citizens:
On board you have to spend $108 in a single purchase. They will give you the form to get stamped at the airport. Bought about $200 on board, will get all back except a service fee which was 9.5 EUR
Despite earlier posts, US citizens do qualify for the VAT refund on photos - I did get charged a 23.5 EUR fee for the $95.45 VAT paid, so in both cases figure on giving up about 30% of the tax payment. You should carry your passport number with you on board, because you do need this for the forms at purchase.
At port the minimum in Spain is 90.16 EUR and in Italy 155 EUR to qualify for VAT refund.
Refund desk at BCN was pretty easy, waited about 10 minutes before I checked backs. They warn on board you must present the items unused and signs at the desk saying that too, but they never asked to inspect mine.
