vivienne-j Posted July 17, 2022 #1 Share Posted July 17, 2022 Hi folks We are on a cruise to Canada in September/October, and fine-tuning our needs now. We have lots of US dollars left over from previous US holidays, but no Canadian dollars. We won't need much - enough for tour guide tips, the odd coffee, etc. Are we able to use US dollars in Canada? I realise there's a difference in the exchange rate (about 1 Canadian to .77 US) but just looking at it at the moment. Thanks in advance! Vivienne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CDNPolar Posted July 17, 2022 #2 Share Posted July 17, 2022 (edited) Yes and no. Depends on where you are. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal - probably most places will accept them, but don't automatically expect exchange rate. There is no requirement to give you exchange, and you will only ever get Canadian money as change. Also, don't just routinely expect that all stores or coffee shops will accept them. They may not. There is no universal rule. Canada is proudly not the USA or "America". Edited July 17, 2022 by CDNPolar 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGinMTL Posted July 17, 2022 #3 Share Posted July 17, 2022 8 minutes ago, CDNPolar said: Yes and no. Depends on where you are. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal - probably most places will accept them, but don't automatically expect exchange rate. There is no requirement to give you exchange, and you will only ever get Canadian money as change. Also, don't just routinely expect that all stores or coffee shops will accept them. They may not. There is no universal rule. Canada is proudly not the USA or "America". Agreed. In Montreal, USA dollars will be accepted. But no great exchange rate. You may be able to convert on the ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookbabe Posted July 17, 2022 #4 Share Posted July 17, 2022 Canada is not the same country as the US, so generally most places will want the country’s own currency, just like your local pub would probably prefer pounds rather than US$ or Cdn$. As mentioned above, at best you will get stores in tourist areas that will accept US$ at a really bad exchange rate or perhaps even at par with Cdn$. You are best to get some Cdn$ for your trip if you plan to spend a lot or are venturing outside of the tourist zones in major cities. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted July 17, 2022 #5 Share Posted July 17, 2022 Don't be surprised if cash is not accepted in some retail locations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CaptainBazz Posted July 17, 2022 #6 Share Posted July 17, 2022 Either, exchange your US$ at your local bank before you leave...or bring your US$ and go to the first bank you see in Canada and exchange them. Then you will have no problems. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted July 17, 2022 #7 Share Posted July 17, 2022 1 minute ago, CaptainBazz said: Either, exchange your US$ at your local bank before you leave...or bring your US$ and go to the first bank you see in Canada and exchange them. Then you will have no problems. If your cruise starts in the US, you might get your best exchange rate there. You might also want to try exchanging your USD for CAD onboard your ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 17, 2022 #8 Share Posted July 17, 2022 Some shops in the port cities will take USD but ask first If you have a CC with no foreign transaction fees just use it Tips are tricky not everyone will use USD as they may not travel to the USA or they have to pay the exchange rate at their back & will get less than what you give them You could always tip the crew with USD they will be happy with them enjoy the cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaBag Posted July 17, 2022 #9 Share Posted July 17, 2022 I agree with CaptainBazz, just go to a bank and exchange the USD for CDN. Problem solved. There are also places that exchange currency Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d9704011 Posted July 17, 2022 #10 Share Posted July 17, 2022 6 minutes ago, TeaBag said: I agree with CaptainBazz, just go to a bank and exchange the USD for CDN. Problem solved. There are also places that exchange currency Find a Canadian onboard and ask them whether they'd trade some currency. Me, I'd take 85USD for 100CAD. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted July 17, 2022 #11 Share Posted July 17, 2022 2 minutes ago, d9704011 said: Find a Canadian onboard and ask them whether they'd trade some currency. Me, I'd take 85USD for 100CAD. 🤣 Most banks would sell them CA$100 for US$78. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d9704011 Posted July 17, 2022 #12 Share Posted July 17, 2022 3 minutes ago, broberts said: 🤣 Most banks would sell them CA$100 for US$78. Well, I'm providing a substantial convenience; no need to waste time looking for a bank, answering questions about whether he has an account with them, having to consider whether he needs to or should wear a mask... probably a whole host of other petty annoyances that can be avoided by dealing directly with me. 1 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate-in-Canada Posted July 17, 2022 #13 Share Posted July 17, 2022 Use it to tip the crew on board, but use either credit card or get Canadian dollars for ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magicat Posted July 17, 2022 #14 Share Posted July 17, 2022 5 hours ago, d9704011 said: Well, I'm providing a substantial convenience; no need to waste time looking for a bank, answering questions about whether he has an account with them, having to consider whether he needs to or should wear a mask... probably a whole host of other petty annoyances that can be avoided by dealing directly with me. Good point. Some banks may not offer an exchange if you don't have an account with them. Best to find a money exchange place. Might get better rates too. I am more than happy to give you CND at par. 🤣 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladysail2 Posted July 17, 2022 #15 Share Posted July 17, 2022 Like most of the suggestions, I think you’d be better using Canadian currency, especially if you plan to only buy small items. I don’t know what cities you’re visiting and you don’t really want to spend your port time finding a bank or currency exchange business. The ship may well exchange your US dollars to Canadian currency. You could try your own banks at home, or a currency exchange service at the airport before you leave. Most places of business in Canada take Visa or Mastercard…American Express is iffy. Enjoy your trip! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stairMaster Posted July 18, 2022 #16 Share Posted July 18, 2022 Yes. US currency is accepted by most establishments in Canada. Especially in the touristy areas, the exchange rate ( don't expect a great rate) will be prominently displayed at the checkout counter. Since, change will be provided in Canadian currency, I suggest you buy a snack at say 7-11, give them $20 US and you will receive Canadian $$ in change. As for tipping, US dollars will be fine. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thon Posted July 18, 2022 #17 Share Posted July 18, 2022 8 hours ago, stairMaster said: Yes. US currency is accepted by most establishments in Canada. Especially in the touristy areas, the exchange rate ( don't expect a great rate) will be prominently displayed at the checkout counter. I would disagree with this. In tourist areas where American tourists are common, many places would likely accept $US. But aside from such areas I would not say that “most establishments” in Canada would accept US currency. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted July 18, 2022 #18 Share Posted July 18, 2022 33 minutes ago, thon said: I would disagree with this. In tourist areas where American tourists are common, many places would likely accept $US. But aside from such areas I would not say that “most establishments” in Canada would accept US currency. Indeed. Swap the countries and currency, your comment holds true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squadron Posted July 18, 2022 #19 Share Posted July 18, 2022 On 7/17/2022 at 4:39 AM, CGinMTL said: Agreed. In Montreal, USA dollars will be accepted. But no great exchange rate. You may be able to convert on the ship Better rate at a Bank Am dollar is about 30% higher than CDN minus bank fees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare gnome12 Posted July 18, 2022 #20 Share Posted July 18, 2022 9 hours ago, stairMaster said: As for tipping, US dollars will be fine. I don’t agree. Most people never need to go into a bank branch, as you can deposit bills of currency in an ATM. I don’t think you can do that with US$. So unless a very touristy establishment where they get lots of US$ tips, it would be a pain for the person you are tipping to deal with. Its fine to tip on bord with US$, but I wouldn’t do it on shore. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 18, 2022 #21 Share Posted July 18, 2022 I am guessing the OP is doing an East coast cruise so many of the ports will be fine with USD They are used to Americans on the cruises They are in the UK so maybe exchanging USD to CAD is more of a problem Most of the ports have an ATM near the port building where they could get some CAD for tour guide tips otherwise use a CC for shopping Give the crew tips in USD They will also be stopping in some US ports so can use the USD there 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 18, 2022 #22 Share Posted July 18, 2022 On 7/17/2022 at 6:26 AM, vivienne-j said: Hi folks We are on a cruise to Canada in September/October, and fine-tuning our needs now. Vivienne What ports will you be stopping it then we can advise you better ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted July 18, 2022 #23 Share Posted July 18, 2022 9 minutes ago, LHT28 said: What ports will you be stopping it then we can advise you better ? Ports are: St. John's, NL Québec, QC Saguenay, QC Charlottetown, PE Les Îles de la Madeleine, QC Halifax, NS Sydney, NS All are areas that get a lot of American tourists and are very used to dealing in USD, which is advantageous for them as they get a better exchange rate than they give to the tourist. 23 minutes ago, gnome12 said: I don’t agree. Most people never need to go into a bank branch, as you can deposit bills of currency in an ATM. I don’t think you can do that with US$. So unless a very touristy establishment where they get lots of US$ tips, it would be a pain for the person you are tipping to deal with. Its fine to tip on bord with US$, but I wouldn’t do it on shore. A neighbour's son while in college loved getting tipped in USD because of exchange rate. Going inside the bank to make a deposit was no issue as everyone else was lined up to use an ATM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivienne-j Posted July 18, 2022 Author #24 Share Posted July 18, 2022 Hi - what a lot of replies! Many thanks to everyone. Yes, it's the east coast, so St Johns NF, Gaspe, Quebec (two whole days!), Saguenay, Charlottetown, Iles de la Madelaine, Halifax, Sydney NS. Not stopping in the US - just Canada. The suggestion to tip on board in US$ is a good one. Will convert some US$ to CAD before we sail. Again, many thanks, everyone 🙂 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stairMaster Posted July 18, 2022 #25 Share Posted July 18, 2022 1 hour ago, gnome12 said: I don’t agree. Most people never need to go into a bank branch, as you can deposit bills of currency in an ATM. I don’t think you can do that with US$. So unless a very touristy establishment where they get lots of US$ tips, it would be a pain for the person you are tipping to deal with. Its fine to tip on bord with US$, but I wouldn’t do it on shore. The OP was asking if it was acceptable to tip in USD in Canada. The answer is definitely Yes!! I would not recommend going out of one's way to convert USD to Canadian dollars so they can tip in the local currency while on shore. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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