Are Francs needed?

[Einstein912]

I have read that most places in the south pacific accept AU $ , but is it worth taking Francs? Or are we fine without them? Thanks

[CruiserBruce]

Curious where you are talking about. Searched the internet, didn't find any countries in the Pacific that use the franc. Am I missing something?

 

Edit...Tahiti uses francs.

Edited June 11, 2016 by CruiserBruce

[Big Kev]

I have read that most places in the south pacific accept AU $ , but is it worth taking Francs? Or are we fine without them? Thanks

 

Most places near touristy areas will take AUD, apart from public transport etc.

 

However, for New Caledonia and Tahiti, it is a battle, to have anything accepted apart from CFP. The currency is not the franc , as used in France, but the CFP which stands for "Change Franc Pacifiqu", (but we prefer to call it Pacific Francs).

 

In the French territories in Western Pacific touristy areas, many vendors will accept USD.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Sue and Phil

Edited June 11, 2016 by Big Kev

[Russell21]

We were in New Caledonia & Vanuatu a couple of weeks ago. In Noumea they like Pacific Francs for small cash buys, and are happy to take credit cards for larger buys.

On the islands of Mare and Lifou (New C) they are happy to take Aussie dollars, so take small notes and coins.

 

Mystery Island (Vanuatu) they are happy with Aussie Dollars.

[OzKiwiJJ]

If you are going to Noumea first, there is an ATM at the Casino Supermarket diagonally across the road from the terminal building where the shuttle buses drop you.

 

Get enough CFP to cover your day in Noumea and anything left you can probably use at other New Caledonian stops.

[Einstein912]

Thanks everyone. That really helps. Super excited and cant wait to go. July is almost here😀

[GUT2407]

As others said Noumea will be the sticky point.

 

Vanuatu shouldn't be a problem.

[peter.kath@hotmail.com]

On P & O ships CFP are available for purchase from the pursers desk.

There are 3 of us and we normally change $100-150 which is more then enough for food drinks and transport for the day.

[happysnapper]

We were in Vanuatu last Christmas for 2 weeks and had to go to a money changer with our AUD and change to the local currency. Local currency only for transport, food, drinks etc. However money changers are not hard to find in Port Vila...look for Goodies Money Exchange. Credit cards are accepted in larger establishments.

Edited June 12, 2016 by happysnapper

[mrs and mrs]

Funny never had a problem using aud,of course they were making 25% extra,so good on them.

[cme2c]

In Noumea earlier this year on Carnival Spirit. Pacific Eden or Aria (forget which) was in too. I think the person serving in the "service" station was enjoying saying "NON!" to the plaintive cry of "Aussie?" from other cruisers. She seemed disappointed when I handed over South Pacific Francs...

[6666oz]

You dont have to have Pacific Francs with you for most tourist type purchases but if you go to somewhere off the beaten tourist path, having local currency can help a transaction go a bit smoother, but remember that you dont have a lot of time in port and the time goes fast, so you dont want to waste any time changing money, most ships have some local currency for sale but check before you leave, or, you can buy from the Com Bank, they charge a flat fee, they do have a minimum buy, but what you dont use keep for the next trip like me, watch the taxi drivers in Vila, got one that negotiated a price in $Aus , and then when inside the taxi wanted to drive me to an ATM to get Vatu, luckily I had Vatu on me to pay him. At some ports you will find the locals trying to exchange Aussie coins for notes, not sure what their motive is.

 

Edited June 18, 2016 by 6666oz

[lyndarra]

You dont have to have Pacific Francs with you for most tourist type purchases but if you go to somewhere off the beaten tourist path, having local currency can help a transaction go a bit smoother, but remember that you dont have a lot of time in port and the time goes fast, so you dont want to waste any time changing money, most ships have some local currency for sale but check before you leave, or, you can buy from the Com Bank, they charge a flat fee, they do have a minimum buy, but what you dont use keep for the next trip like me, watch the taxi drivers in Vila, got one that negotiated a price in $Aus , and then when inside the taxi wanted to drive me to an ATM to get Vatu, luckily I had Vatu on me to pay him. At some ports you will find the locals trying to exchange Aussie coins for notes, not sure what their motive is.

 

Banks usually don't accept coins for conversion.

[MicCanberra]

Credit card for larger purchases and AUD or USD for the smaller ones, change will likely be back in CFP and the exchange rate may be very poor.

[Willow45]

You dont have to have Pacific Francs with you for most tourist type purchases but if you go to somewhere off the beaten tourist path, having local currency can help a transaction go a bit smoother, but remember that you dont have a lot of time in port and the time goes fast, so you dont want to waste any time changing money, most ships have some local currency for sale but check before you leave, or, you can buy from the Com Bank, they charge a flat fee, they do have a minimum buy, but what you dont use keep for the next trip like me, watch the taxi drivers in Vila, got one that negotiated a price in $Aus , and then when inside the taxi wanted to drive me to an ATM to get Vatu, luckily I had Vatu on me to pay him. At some ports you will find the locals trying to exchange Aussie coins for notes, not sure what their motive is.

 

 

 

Doing these places. Can you please save me the maths and tell me how, much you usually take. I like to have local currency and the leftovers get spent at the last stop or given to the day care kids or if too much filed for future use.

[6666oz]

I bought Aus $500 each of francs and vatu. This has been spent over several cruises.