TNU: Travel News Update

COMMENT: Trump into cruising

Newly confirmed US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has said that President Trump will order crackdowns on cruise operators, such as Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), after claiming “none of them pay taxes”.

Appearing on Fox News, Lutnick has suggested the Federal Government will target cruise lines who, he claims, avoid paying tax in America by registering their ships in countries with more lenient laws, despite being headquartered in the US.

Both Royal Caribbean and NCL are based in Miami, Florida, but are incorporated in Liberia and Bermuda, respectively. Carnival Corporation, while also based in Miami, is incorporated in Panama although the operation is listed on the London Stock Exchange. NCL's Pride of America is probably the true US cruise ship. It's registered in Honolulu. The Daily Mail's cruise writer Mike Pickup reminded me of this one. Only a American crew too.

He said: “You ever see a cruise ship with an American flag on the back? They have flags of like Liberia or Panama. None of them pay taxes. This is going to end under Donald Trump and those taxes are going to be paid and Americans’ tax rates are going to come down.”

As for the Red Ensign here is a selection of British ships and where they are registered. Cunard's Queen Mary 2 (Hamiton Bermuda – OK for British weddings), the Saga pair (London), Ambassador twosome and also the Fred Olsen fleet (Bahamas).

If you see a dramatic rise in cruise fares for later in 2025 it might be something to do with America’s returning President. And just as a reminder the last US registered liner has now left Pittsburgh bound for a watery grave.

See SS United States
www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/859#SS%20United%20States

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