Safe usage and Victoria cabs?

[cruisingagain2011]

Question about safe usage on the Amsterdam. Is a card used for the safe or a combination?

 

Also, does anyone know if there is a cab that will schedule a short tour of Victoria and drop at the Empress. Then is it easy to get a cab back to the terminal? Or is it a safe, easy walk back to the terminal?

 

One more week and we start our journey!!! Thanks!

[fsdj1097]

Question about safe usage on the Amsterdam. Is a card used for the safe or a combination?

 

Also, does anyone know if there is a cab that will schedule a short tour of Victoria and drop at the Empress. Then is it easy to get a cab back to the terminal? Or is it a safe, easy walk back to the terminal?

 

One more week and we start our journey!!! Thanks!

 

The safes are accessed via a combination. You set it upon your first access. There are plenty of cabs available at the Pier in Victoria, however, it is a relative short walk from the Empress back to the pier, if you don't have any mobility issues. And, it is a very safe neighborhood.

[Fouremco]

Question about safe usage on the Amsterdam. Is a card used for the safe or a combination?

 

Also, does anyone know if there is a cab that will schedule a short tour of Victoria and drop at the Empress. Then is it easy to get a cab back to the terminal? Or is it a safe, easy walk back to the terminal?

 

One more week and we start our journey!!! Thanks!

Here's a website that you might find useful: http://victoriacruise.ca/

 

While the walk back would be safe, it would take you a good 45 minutes, possibly more. Getting a cab back won't be a problem, but I can't comment on booking one to provide a tour. Google is your friend. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

If you are arriving at 6 PM, don't expect to get off the ship right away. We were late one time and we were not cleared until 7 PM.

Since you have to be back on board by 11:30, you will want to take a taxi back to the ship.

[Vict0riann]

I think Amsterdam usually comes in at 1 p.m.

 

I haven't walked the route, so don't know about timing, but I think you could certainly get a taxi driver to take you around Beacon Hill Park, maybe to Chinatown, and then back to the Inner Harbour (where the Empress Hotel is), there are also tiny "ferry" boats which take people around the Inner Harbour and the Gorge Waterway. Should be fun. I'm never a tourist here unless we have visitors.:)

[jtl513]

The safes are accessed via a combination. You set it upon your first access.

You set the combination every time you close it, and need not be the same each time.

[cruisingagain2011]

Do cabs and shops accept American currency or do we have to convert dollars? Or is it best just to use a credit card?

[Fouremco]

Do cabs and shops accept American currency or do we have to convert dollars? Or is it best just to use a credit card?

They will be happy to accept US currency, but probably not at a particularly favourable rate of exchange. You are more likely to get a better rate from your credit card provider, and if it's one that doesn't charge a transaction fee, so much the better. Most major cards are accepted.

[Vict0riann]

They will be happy to accept US currency, but probably not at a particularly favourable rate of exchange.

 

And, of course, you'll get any change in Canadian currency!:)

[Fouremco]

And, of course, you'll get any change in Canadian currency!:)

... which, being plastic, might seem very strange and suspect to many non-Canadians, but it is legit! :)

[RMLincoln]

You set the combination every time you close it, and need not be the same each time.

 

Yes, to re-lock the safe you enter the code, or more specifically A code... I hit the wrong key once and didn't notice so the good news was the safe was locked... the bad news was I didn't know which keys would unlock it. I had to call front desk and have security come. They were most gracious. I'd bet it happens every day but they smile and help us through our blunders. :) m--

[Christine Frances]

i think amsterdam usually comes in at 1 p.m.

 

I haven't walked the route, so don't know about timing, but i think you could certainly get a taxi driver to take you around beacon hill park, maybe to chinatown, and then back to the inner harbour (where the empress hotel is), there are also tiny "ferry" boats which take people around the inner harbour and the gorge waterway. Should be fun. I'm never a tourist here unless we have visitors.:)

 

lol

[2bout2c]

I was on the Westerdam July 5th. On our stop in Victoria we took a taxi ride to sightsee. We ended up at the Empress Hotel then back to the ship.

[Typhoon1]

The four digit combination of your choice will get you into the safe, Any problems, contact your steward for assistance.