NCL not paying full head tax after all

Last week, Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool told the Beacon that Norwegian and Disney cruise lines started paying their full $15-per-passenger head tax in December.

However, in a press conference on Tuesday, Mr. Vanterpool revised his statement: Norwegian, he said, will not start paying the full head tax until Feb. 15, the day before an opening ceremony is scheduled at the park.

“That may be a correction on what I told you [last week],” he told this reporter.

Norwegian has been paying a reduced tax of $7 since April due to multiple missed construction deadlines at the Tortola Pier Park.

Disney, however, is paying the full $15 head tax, a spokeswoman confirmed last week. Norwegian officials have not returned phone calls and e-mails.

See the Feb. 4, 2016 edition for full coverage.

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