5-day VOS Canada cruise - is Canadian currency needed?

[CruiseKatarina]

Do the shops in the areas frequented by cruise visitors in Halifax and St. John generally accept U.S. dollars or would it be a good idea to exchange some Canadian currency for the cruise? Just wondering, thanks.

 

Voyager of the Seas 07/04

Majesty of the Seas 04/02

Silja Serenade 06/01

Carnival Ecstasy 04/01

[Magicat]

Hi CruiseKatarina, most shops in Canada do accept US funds but do not offer the best exchange rate. You may want to consider getting some Canadian before hand.

 

Carnival Victory Can/NE

Sept 2004

Voyager of the Seas Can/NE

Sept 2004

Radiance of the Seas Alaska

Sept 2003

Radiance of the Seas Alaska

June 2002

[gerif]

They will happily accept U.S. currency, but will give you Canadian in change. Best bet is to use your MC or Visa - they are accepted almost anywhere (even the vendors at the port) adn you get the best exchange rate AND not have to worry about change.

 

Geri

[Facation Fanatic]

I totally agree with the above poster. The credit card is the only way to go for the best exchange rate.

 

Facation Fanatic

 

Fantasy - 6/02 Bahamas

Fantasy - 12/02 Bahamas

Victory - 9/03 NE/Canada

Sovereign of the Seas - 1/04 Bahamas

Sovereign of the Seas - 4/04 Bahamas Daughter's Birthday Cruise

 

Carnival Glory to the Eastern Caribbean

 

[nicpesq]

I would just check with my credit card issuer. SOme of hte issuers charge an additional service fee when converting foreign currency. That's on top of the VISA commission for "exchanging" currency. This could substantially reduce any savings obtained by "floating" the currency rate when using the credit cards overseas. Ask the bank to be certain that thereis no addtional fee for foreign currency conversions.

 

Stella Solaris 7/2002

Navigator of the Seas 7/19/2003

Voyager of the Seas 6/18/2004

Mariner of the Seas 8/15/2004

[cruisingrightalong]

Vote credit card...we just got back from Victoria and Vancouver and with my exchange rate on the credit card for example the whale watching was "billed" at $126.00 for two people and ended up being $91.00 for two people and the such. The rate was 1.37 per 1.00 then I think. It was much easier for credit card and we paid a few times a "few dimes" more than getting canadian back...we just said keep the change!

 

Radiance of the Seas May 2, 2004

Brilliance of the Seas November 14, 2003

Imagination June 30, 2002

 

[FLmama]

did you buy any excursions on ship or did you just shop and do your own thing in Hallifax & St.Johns New Brunswick

[nny92825100]

We just did our own thing in Halifax. In the center of town you can get a site seeing bus that takes you all over for very reasonable.

 

If you have a debit card, go with that. We used our Visa debit card and our credit union did not charge at all for changing the money. It was the exact rate as the newspaper said. This came out of our checking account.

 

Jewel of the Sea May 2004

Serenade of the Sea August 2003

Splendour of the Sea August 1999

Legend of the Sea August 1997

Rotterdam May 1989

[Magicat]

Another note if you do need cash and need to exchange it do it at a bank. They offer the best rate than any venders or even the pursers desk.

 

Carnival Victory Can/NE

Sept 2004

Voyager of the Seas Can/NE

Sept 2004

Radiance of the Seas Alaska

Sept 2003

Radiance of the Seas Alaska

June 2002

[Mark_K]

Credit cards are probably your best bet, however there is something enjoyable about going into a bar, ordering a drink, giving them a $20 bill, and getting $22 in change.

 

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"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

 

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[canucks4]

You might want to save a loonie or a twoonie as a souvenir...they are somewhat unique currency to other nations and they'll only cost you 70% of what it costs us!!

 

(I agree - go with credit card - better exchange rates - but shop, shop, shop - when you see something at $20.00 CDN, it'll cost you about $17.00 - great excuse to spend $$)

 

Canucks 4