Traderbill Posted February 14, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 14, 2018 We are going on NE/ Canada cruise sept 2018. Can we us dollars in Canada or should we exchange for Canadian? And where do you exchange your money, without losing a lot with fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 14, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Best place to get foreign currency is a bank ATM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofyfanatic Posted February 14, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 14, 2018 We are going on NE/ Canada cruise sept 2018. Can we us dollars in Canada or should we exchange for Canadian? And where do you exchange your money, without losing a lot with fees. They take either American or Canadian I believe. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ourusualbeach Posted February 14, 2018 #4 Share Posted February 14, 2018 They will take the US $ however you will most likely be offered less in exchange than if you did it through your bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JessyCruises Posted February 14, 2018 #5 Share Posted February 14, 2018 I live just outside Saint John, NB. Most of the stores uptown where the cruise terminal is will take USD, the same goes for Halifax. If you want some Canadian cash, there are several banks near the cruise terminal as well as ATMs all over the place where you can get some CAD. Make sure to save a toonie and loonie for a souvenir :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted February 15, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I’ve traveled to Canada many times including the usual cruise ports as well as Vancouver, Toronto and Quebec. Used US $ in all of them. Bring small bills as your change will be in Canadian $. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpcmh Posted February 15, 2018 #7 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I used USD in Halifax, but they would only give change in CAD. I only bought small items like bottled water and etc... with cash. Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epicureangirl Posted February 15, 2018 #8 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Surpringly we will happily give you a poor exchange rate and your change in Canadian. So I definitely wouldn’t be handing over $100USD for a $5 purchase. Bank ATM’s will be everywhere, but credit cards are widely accepted. Get one without foreign transaction fees and it will likely be comparable to the exchange. Happy travels, it is a lovely itinerary. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigHouseFootball Posted February 15, 2018 #9 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I always just use my credit card. It automatically makes the exchange and it guarantees I get the best exchange rate, and I have no foreign transaction fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillie43 Posted February 15, 2018 #10 Share Posted February 15, 2018 We are going on NE/ Canada cruise sept 2018. Can we us dollars in Canada or should we exchange for Canadian? And where do you exchange your money, without losing a lot with fees. We will be sailing the same itinerary September 16 from Boston. When are you leaving? Don’t forget to join the roll call for your cruise. And welcome to Cruise Critic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolfan1980 Posted February 15, 2018 #11 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I always just use my credit card. It automatically makes the exchange and it guarantees I get the best exchange rate, and I have no foreign transaction fees. I concur with this. The shops will both take a ~10% exchange charge (e.g. Offer ~1.20 per USD) and give you Canadian change. Credit cards are pretty much accepted anywhere. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenSunny1 Posted February 15, 2018 #12 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Your best bet is to exchange a minimal amount in a bank before you arrive. You certainly won’t lose as the US dollar is between 25-30% higher in value. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epicureangirl Posted February 15, 2018 #13 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Your best bet is to exchange a minimal amount in a bank before you arrive. You certainly won’t lose as the US dollar is between 25-30% higher in value. Sent from my iPad using Forums You will lose 5-10% of that money, that could be used for a future cruise... don't let that happen!:') Your dollar is strong, but often our prices look higher (such as at restaurants) and often they are. I live near the border and am STILL shopping and getting deals in the US, despite the exhange rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traderbill Posted February 15, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted February 15, 2018 We will be sailing the same itinerary September 16 from Boston. When are you leaving? Don’t forget to join the roll call for your cruise. And welcome to Cruise Critic. We are going Sept 27, leaving from Baltimore. Figured do my research now to find best of everything. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traderbill Posted February 15, 2018 Author #15 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I live just outside Saint John, NB. Most of the stores uptown where the cruise terminal is will take USD, the same goes for Halifax. If you want some Canadian cash, there are several banks near the cruise terminal as well as ATMs all over the place where you can get some CAD. Make sure to save a toonie and loonie for a souvenir :) Looking forward to coming to see Saint John & Halifax. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise pastor Posted February 15, 2018 #16 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Welcome to Canada! Just do what you would do in Europe or Asia..get local currency from an ATM. I do this all over the world with my debit card. It’s part of the travel experience and ,anyway you’ll love our colourful money! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyitsmema Posted February 15, 2018 #17 Share Posted February 15, 2018 You can buy currency through your bank before you leave or even AAA. You can also check to see what Canadian bank your bank is affiliated with and then use an ATM of that bank once you arrive in Canada. We have done this before and since it was an affiliated bank, there were no fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy Jane Posted February 15, 2018 #18 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Or you can use US$ and ask for US$ in exchange - does't hurt to ask. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcinns Posted February 15, 2018 #19 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Or you can use US$ and ask for US$ in exchange - does't hurt to ask. Sent from my iPhone using Forums You can ask but US$ are not that common that I would expect to be able to get change in it. Easiest way is to withdraw a few $ s from an ATM. If you use US $ at a store here you will not get as a favourable of an exchange. Imagine if i tried to use CAD $ in the US![emoji16] Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixie1337 Posted February 15, 2018 #20 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I always just use my credit card. It automatically makes the exchange and it guarantees I get the best exchange rate, and I have no foreign transaction fees. This is the way to do it IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epicureangirl Posted February 15, 2018 #21 Share Posted February 15, 2018 (edited) You can ask but US$ are not that common that I would expect to be able to get change in it. Easiest way is to withdraw a few $ s from an ATM. If you use US $ at a store here you will not get as a favourable of an exchange. Imagine if i tried to use CAD $ in the US![emoji16] Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Forums mobile app I haven't come across a store that has a cash float in Canadian AND US dollars. Unless you are at a tourist gift stand set up right at the port, I wouldn't even ask to tell you the truth. These are real work-a-day cities and towns that happen to have cruise ships visit part of the year -- as above, I can't imagine what they'd think in Maine if I asked for my change in Canadian. ;) Edited February 15, 2018 by Epicureangirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SissyFace Posted February 15, 2018 #22 Share Posted February 15, 2018 You can use US currency and coin in Canada ... but your change will be in Canadian money. You don't really want that because 1) Canadian money is worth less than US money and 2) you can't use Canadian money in the US. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my home bank can easily provide me with Canadian money. Just yesterday I spent $247 American to buy $295 Canadian. So start with your own bank and see what they can do for you. You can travel prepared! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traderbill Posted February 16, 2018 Author #23 Share Posted February 16, 2018 (y) You can use US currency and coin in Canada ... but your change will be in Canadian money. You don't really want that because 1) Canadian money is worth less than US money and 2) you can't use Canadian money in the US. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my home bank can easily provide me with Canadian money. Just yesterday I spent $247 American to buy $295 Canadian. So start with your own bank and see what they can do for you. You can travel prepared! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epicureangirl Posted February 16, 2018 #24 Share Posted February 16, 2018 You can use US currency and coin in Canada ... but your change will be in Canadian money. You don't really want that because 1) Canadian money is worth less than US money and 2) you can't use Canadian money in the US. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my home bank can easily provide me with Canadian money. Just yesterday I spent $247 American to buy $295 Canadian. So start with your own bank and see what they can do for you. You can travel prepared! Point 1 is not really an issue. It is an exchange rate that floats up and down every day. Maybe by the time you take your trip it will be worth more than USD ;) They don't exchange your money at par, you will get a fair exchange rate from both Canadian and US banks -- the percentage lost over the posted rate is negligible. The exchange rate you have to worry about is from the stores if you're making a large purchase or are paying with big bills. Then you're losing a little more each time you buy something. It is only when a currency market makes a big move (and you have a lot of foreign currency) -- then you might lose or make money by the time you exchange it back into USD. I doubt this is the case here unless they plan on buying real estate (now that would be fun!). Usually what you need in cash is pocket change if you want to try out public transit, and money to tip a valet (if you are staying in a hotel) -- almost everywhere takes credit cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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