[B][SIZE=3]How much Cash[/SIZE][/B]

[khicks1101]

How much cash do you need on this type of cruise. We tend to use credit card mainly, but obviously the shore excursions on these islands are a bit different to our last cruise.

 

Anyone that has travelled these areas, where do you need cash and where can you get away with using Credit?

 

This leads to a further question of how safe is the credit card scenario on these islands?

I know I am a pain, but have not travelled these areas before.

[Skyrules]

Noumea is very expensive, you'll need Central Pacific Francs available on board the ship.

 

Wala - there's not much to spend money on at Wala - just souveniers from the locals stalls and donations for the village's if you go on the walking tour of the island. Take lots of AUD$ gold coins or small denomination AUD$.

 

Vila - most stores and stalls will take AUD$ at reasonable exchange rates, otherwise get some Vatu (local currency), however this won't be available on the ship (assuming Sun Princess will operate the same as Pacific Star and Pacific Sun). How much you need will depend on how much duty free shopping you want to do!

 

 

Mystery Island - you'll need some AUD$ (small denominations) for the wonderful stalls the locals set up there. Nothing else there to spend money on.

 

Isle of Pines - most things you can do there will take AUD$ but won't hurt to have some Central Pacific Francs.

 

Can't help you with Champagne Bay as I haven't been there - but I don't imagine there's much there - and for what there is AUD$ will suffice.

 

 

As for credit cards - looking at your itinerary the only places you'll be able to use them will be Noumea and Vila. All the other islands will be strictly cash. I don't think you'd have too much trouble with credit cards in Noumea & Vila. We haven't on our cruises.

 

 

Kym

[aussiedisneyfan]

Champagne Bay has stalls like Mystery and Wala. Just remember you don't need to take the gold coins onto the ship with you change your notes for coins at the casino. On the Sun and Star you can also get cash out at the casino off your cruise card for a 3% fee. Then you don't need to take any cash.

[khicks1101]

Skyrules & Aussiedisneyfan, thank you for the wonderful advice, it makes a lot of sense.

 

And exchanging notes for coin at the Casino I would not have thought of.:)