Currencies required in Sth Pac Ports

Hi, doing a Carnival cruise with ports in New Caledonia and Noumea in a few months, what currencies should I take, should I just hit up an Atm in port for local currency or will they take AUD for small purchases?

Hi, doing a Carnival cruise with ports in New Caledonia and Noumea in a few months, what currencies should I take, should I just hit up an Atm in port for local currency or will they take AUD for small purchases?

The smaller islands like Lifou, Mare, Isles of Pines, are used to taking AUD. There are no ATMs on these islands.

Some tourist shops in Noumea will, especially in the terminal building (which you may be bused to if the ship docks at the container terminal) but the majority of shops outside of the terminal won't. There is a very handy ATM at the Casino Supermarket which is across the road and to the right of the terminal building.

If you are able to pay in AUD the exchange rate will be very much in their favour ;)

I agree with OzKiwiJJ. I would add that there was a money exchange at the bus terminal at Noumea, where we were dropped off from the ship, but the exchange rate was very steep.

We actually used a prepaid credit card (from Australia Post) in some of the shops near the bus terminal to by a few small items, and that way we didn't have change left over, but that is not something I would do with a card with much money available on it. There are honest shop keepers out there, and we struck it lucky, but next time we would probably just change cash at the exchange. We didn't know if we were going to spend any money before we started wandering around though. So on a fairly warm day do you go back and forward to get cash? Still not sure what we would do next time.

Whether or not it is worth getting Pacific Francs for Noumea, depends on what you want to do. There are excellent tours on sale in the Cruise terminal all priced in AUD. Items for sale from the stalls upstairs in the terminal are priced in AUD. We have compared the price in francs and they offer a reasonable exchange rate - sometimes a very good rate. If you want to take the local bus or a taxi, or go to the aquarium or the botanical gardens, you will need francs.

I agree with OzKiwiJJ. I would add that there was a money exchange at the bus terminal at Noumea, where we were dropped off from the ship, but the exchange rate was very steep.

 

but next time we would probably just change cash at the exchange. We didn't know if we were going to spend any money before we started wandering around though. So on a fairly warm day do you go back and forward to get cash? Still not sure what we would do next time.

Don't do that :eek:, just go across the road and use the ATM. Far cheaper. Especially if you're going to Noumea first and other islands afterwards. You can use up any excess XPFs on the other islands then use AUD when you run out.

Don't do that :eek:, just go across the road and use the ATM. Far cheaper. Especially if you're going to Noumea first and other islands afterwards. You can use up any excess XPFs on the other islands then use AUD when you run out.

I am just a bit wary of ATMs, but shall keep that one in mind, thanks.

I am just a bit wary of ATMs, but shall keep that one in mind, thanks.

That one is fine, we've used it a couple of times with no problems.

Whether or not it is worth getting Pacific Francs for Noumea, depends on what you want to do. There are excellent tours on sale in the Cruise terminal all priced in AUD. Items for sale from the stalls upstairs in the terminal are priced in AUD. We have compared the price in francs and they offer a reasonable exchange rate - sometimes a very good rate.

Agreed. If only wanting to buy things from the market stalls upstairs, it's pretty immaterial which currency you use - the rates offered are very comparable (usually the main difference is rounding).

We have bought wine and other things at the Casino Supermarket in Noumea using Aussie dollars, they convert it at the checkout, the other islands you can use Aussie dollars. Make sure you take small currencies. Vila, we got the water taxi into town and it cost $5. There are plenty of taxis there to take you on a tour around the island.

Some shops in moumea will take Aus$ no worries, others ... well ,...

My itinerary is from the US to the South Pacific islands before departing in Sydney. I was planning on getting local currency when arriving at the islands (Fiji, Vanuatu, Lifou, Ile des Pins, Noumea). No ATMs?

My itinerary is from the US to the South Pacific islands before departing in Sydney. I was planning on getting local currency when arriving at the islands (Fiji, Vanuatu, Lifou, Ile des Pins, Noumea). No ATMs?

The smaller islands like Lifou and Ile des Pins don't have ATMs but do accept Australian currency - not sure about US currency though.

The nearest ATM to the terminal building in Noumea is across the road and to the right at the Casino Supermarket.

For Fiji it will depend on where you are stopping. There are ATMs at Suva and Port Denerau, not sure about anywhere else.

Not sure about Vanuatu - I would imagine Vila will have ATMs if you are going there.

My itinerary is from the US to the South Pacific islands before departing in Sydney. I was planning on getting local currency when arriving at the islands (Fiji, Vanuatu, Lifou, Ile des Pins, Noumea). No ATMs?

I would advise you to just use AUD in all those ports unless you want to take the public bus or a taxi in Noumea. Otherwise AUD will be fine and you will need it for Sydney. If you change money into the three other currencies you mention you will be paying the cost to exchange money, then probably have currency left over when you depart from the port or buy something you don't really want or need simply to use up the money.

Hi jennyg2610, what does the Casino Supermarket sell. Do you recall what the conversion rate was at the time (rough idea would be helpful) ?

Aus Traveller - do you remember what the cost of tours were in AUD in Noumea (most you would need to pay). Trying to plan how much money to take with us. Also can we get away with using just AUD only.

We already have USD to use on our cruise (Voyager of the Seas) so don't want to have to get other currencies. Can you use USD in Noumea?

Thanks

Hi jennyg2610, what does the Casino Supermarket sell. Do you recall what the conversion rate was at the time (rough idea would be helpful) ?

 

Aus Traveller - do you remember what the cost of tours were in AUD in Noumea (most you would need to pay). Trying to plan how much money to take with us. Also can we get away with using just AUD only.

 

We already have USD to use on our cruise (Voyager of the Seas) so don't want to have to get other currencies. Can you use USD in Noumea?

 

Thanks

AUD is readily accepted in Noumea because they get a lot of Australian tourists. I am not sure how you would go with US$. They might give you one-for-one with AUD and that wouldn't be good. Use any US$ you have to pay off your on-board account on Voyager. Otherwise, I suggest you stick to AUD.

From memory, tours in Noumea were around $30 AUD. I would use AUD only. Some tourist shops on town had items priced in AUD as did the market stalls in the first floor of the cruise terminal.

Thanks heaps Aus Traveller. Trying to work our how much spending money we may need on islands.