US Dollars & Canadian Dollars - Caribbean Princess

[mfabz]

Does anyone know if the Pursar onboard the Canada/New England route can change US Dollars to Canadian Dollars? While I know the exchange rate will not be great - the convenience makes it worthwhile. Thanks

[TM]

Not sure about your specific answer, but all Canadian ports on your itinerary will take your US dollars at all locations.

[Maraprince]

Not sure about your specific answer, but all Canadian ports on your itinerary will take your US dollars at all locations.

 

 

 

US dollar to C. Dollar is on par right now. That is not to say that you will not get some C. coins back as change. The only time it is important to have C. money is if you plan on taking a bus and need their coins for exact fare. Taxis will take US money. Shops in port will give you US money back as change if they have enough in their cash registers.

 

Try to get as close as possible to the amount required to cut down on the C. coins. Remember the lowest paper money is a $5 C. bill. They have a $1 coin (silver) and a $2 coin (Looney) which is gold in the center surrounded by silver. The rest of their coins are exactly like the US coins -- pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters.

 

It is a good idea to keep a small change purse to separate the 2 currencies so you do not confuse them.

 

MARAPRINCE

[nunuc2000]

US dollar to C. Dollar is on par right now. That is not to say that you will not get some C. coins back as change. The only time it is important to have C. money is if you plan on taking a bus and need their coins for exact fare. Taxis will take US money. Shops in port will give you US money back as change if they have enough in their cash registers.

 

Try to get as close as possible to the amount required to cut down on the C. coins. Remember the lowest paper money is a $5 C. bill. They have a $1 coin (silver) and a $2 coin (Looney) which is gold in the center surrounded by silver. The rest of their coins are exactly like the US coins -- pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters.

 

It is a good idea to keep a small change purse to separate the 2 currencies so you do not confuse them.

 

MARAPRINCE

 

Howdy... just to clarify, our $1 coin is called the Loonie and it is gold in colour. Our $2 coin is called a Toonie and that one is gold in the centre and surrounded by silver. :)

[caribill]

Some ships have a currency exchange machine (not an ATM), but I do not know if this ship does. Expect to pay around 10% more to use it than if you used an onshore ATM.

[truckmaker]

Don't forget to sample one of the most Canadian of icons -a Tim Hoton's coffee shop. I happen to know they gladly accept Us & Cdn but will give you change in Canadian.

[boulders]

US dollar to C. Dollar is on par right now.

 

MARAPRINCE

 

The US dollar is worth 96 cents Canadian. If you spend USD in a store in Canada, you will probably get 90 cents worth. I find the best way is just to take local currency out of a local ATM.

[donnajl]

We recently disembarked the Caribbean Princess, after cruising Canada/New England. Our excursion in Halifax was to meet after lunch so we decided an independent field trip to the Scotia Casino was in order. The slot machines do not accept US bills so we approached the cashier and exchanged our $50 bills, only to receive 9 $5 Canadian bills and a $2 Loonie coin, for a total of $47. If we were lucky enough to finish with a profit, the cashier could only exchange our Canadian winnings back to the original amount ($50). We did not have to worry about having to stop at a local bank to exchange the rest. We made a generous donation to the Canadian economy that day!

[robgvic]

I always respect the country I visit by having their currency. You will find many atms where you can get Canadian funds. Enjoy your visit and the ship.

[captainron]

Not sure about your specific answer, but all Canadian ports on your itinerary will take your US dollars at all locations.

 

Shops might give you a crappier rate then if you bought them at the bank prior to your US departure.

 

Ciao for now!!!

[Griller]

The rest of their coins are exactly like the US coins -- pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters.

 

 

MARAPRINCE

 

They are not exactly like US quarters etc - as you will find out if ever you try to use them in a toll basket on the Turnpike or bridge toll.

 

Don't ask me how I know this - but I didn't even get the Canadian quarters returned to me, they just did not register but disappeared into the machine

 

Canadian - weight around 5.07 grams; diameter 23.88 mm.

US - 5.67 grams: diameter 24.26 mm

[Minoushka]

US $$$ are accepted EVERYWHERE in Canada I would not worru TOO much about exchange

LOONIES ARE GOLD TOONIES are gold and Silver If you need to get rid of them buy candies or gum

I really do not think you need to exchange$$$

 

Michele

[curlerguy]

Just got off CB on the Canada/New England cruise. It seemed as though most stores would accept $US but give $CAN change. Being Canadian I of course had $CAN so it was not an issue. Some American travellers seemed quite upset though that they would get $CAN change back. With the $US valued less than the $CAN they should be happy it was taken at par! I've never travelled to another country without the local currency.

[Maraprince]

They are not exactly like US quarters etc - as you will find out if ever you try to use them in a toll basket on the Turnpike or bridge toll.

 

Don't ask me how I know this - but I didn't even get the Canadian quarters returned to me, they just did not register but disappeared into the machine

 

Canadian - weight around 5.07 grams; diameter 23.88 mm.

US - 5.67 grams: diameter 24.26 mm

 

 

Just to clarify...reference was to the same denomination -- not their weight.

 

MARAPRINCE

[negc]

US $$$ are accepted EVERYWHERE in Canada I would not worru TOO much about exchange

LOONIES ARE GOLD TOONIES are gold and Silver If you need to get rid of them buy candies or gum

I really do not think you need to exchange$$$

 

Michele

I find it somewhat distressing that Canada so readily accepts US currency while in the states bordering Canada, the opposite is frequently the case. Now that the two currencies are pretty close to par, it would seem that we ought to be more accepting of Canadian currency.:) I realize that machines might not accept Canadian coins but in general most vendors, especially those in border communities, should emulate our Canadian neighbors.

[robgvic]

Thank you necg. Ihave felt that for many many years. Many years agao I even had a Canadian penny pushed back at me in Hawaii saying we do not accept foreign currency.

I firmly believe that an respect of the country you visit you should use their currency and if you have coins left over there is usually a charity bin where you can put them.

[patopato1944]

The Purser (click):rolleyes: will buy Canadian Dollars but not sell them. So, no, you will not be able to get Canadian Dollars on board but you will be able to get rid of any leftovers (Only bills, though. Coins are not accepted)

The currency exchange machines are only used by ships on exotic itineraries (Med, Baltics, Asia)

 

And I would not recommend to use US$ in Canadian shops. Just show some respect to the country you're visiting!

 

Just get some money from an ATM in your first Canadian port and you should be set. If you're left with CA$ at the end of your trip pay them into your shipboard account, change them to US$ or keep them for your next trip to Canada!

[John in Cicero]

rather than worrying about the conversion rate or hassle, I just added the Canadian change to the extra amount I tip the room steward. He is happier and I don't need to mess with it.

[nunuc2000]

rather than worrying about the conversion rate or hassle, I just added the Canadian change to the extra amount I tip the room steward. He is happier and I don't need to mess with it.

 

Now that's some smart thinking! :)