rkacruiser Posted November 12, 2017 #1 Share Posted November 12, 2017 I am sure that British Pounds are able to be used. Are USD able to be used? For small purchases, post cards, stamps, gratuities, etc. where one would not want to use a credit card, what currency use is recommended? Thanks for whatever information that I will receive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Aurora Posted November 12, 2017 #2 Share Posted November 12, 2017 We didn't make any small purchases, but we paid for our Volunteer Point excursion (with Patrick Watts) in USD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcdcruiser Posted November 13, 2017 #3 Share Posted November 13, 2017 FYI. No ATMs in Stanley.....just not needed by the locals. Per our tour operator request we brought USD and used credit cards for small purchases in Stanley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisah168 Posted November 13, 2017 #4 Share Posted November 13, 2017 We didn't make any small purchases, but we paid for our Volunteer Point excursion (with Patrick Watts) in USD. How much does he charge for Volunteer Point excursion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 13, 2017 #5 Share Posted November 13, 2017 We used USA currency. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted November 13, 2017 #6 Share Posted November 13, 2017 How much does he charge for Volunteer Point excursion? Last winter (I'm sure some will chime in with current pricing) it was $195 per person and a significant savings over the price of a similar Princess excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcdcruiser Posted November 13, 2017 #7 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Patrick Watts did a great job when we joined last spring. It is a long ride, but wow, what an experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted November 13, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 13, 2017 We had muliple currencies. We got off the ship and took a tour with a local. Just the two of us in her SUV. She quoted us in USD so we paid in USD. That seemed to be the currency that all of the private tour providers were quoting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie1005 Posted November 13, 2017 #9 Share Posted November 13, 2017 We’re doing Volunteer Point with Estancia and payment is in GBP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmender Posted November 22, 2017 #10 Share Posted November 22, 2017 We’re doing Volunteer Point with Estancia and payment is in GBP. Hi Karen- I think we are going to join booking this one direct for Falklands for 31st Dec. Have you used Estancia before? This is our first cruise so we are a little nervous about going off the HAL bookings for someone local etc. Thanks Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted November 22, 2017 #11 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Hi Karen- I think we are going to join booking this one direct for Falklands for 31st Dec. Have you used Estancia before? This is our first cruise so we are a little nervous about going off the HAL bookings for someone local etc.Thanks Lisa If I can comment here...we went with Nyree (Estancia) almost exactly a year ago...it was wonderful! and less than 1/2 the price of HAL. She will take USD, but you need to email her now so that you know what her price is in USD. (thinking in the neighborhood of US$180) Let me explain how the Volunteer Point excursions work, and this is true for all, including ship excursions. You will ride for approx an hour over local roads, part of which are gravel and then embark across a large bog which requires 4 wheel drive vehicles (many are Land Rovers). While rare, it is not impossible for even these vehicles to get stuck. To compensate for this possibility, no vehicle crosses the bog area alone. There will always be two or more vehicles traveling together. The bog crossing takes almost another hour and we thought it was quite a nice adventure. At the end of the bog is the Atlantic Ocean...and penguins....oh so many penguins! King, Gentoo and Magellanic. All very photogenic and interesting. Dress warmly...while not freezing, it will be chilly and windy, possibly with drizzle or rain. Expect to stay at the penguin site for an hour or so. Nyree will take your money at this point. You will be able to tell who is on a ship excursion...they have the little HAL stickers on their jackets. There are nice, western standard type rest rooms available. Estancia provides a nice but tiny box lunch. At the end of your visit the process reverses for the trip back to Stanley. If time allows you can ask your driver for a short tour of the city. We did...it took about 10 minutes (very small city). There are a few shops along the waterfront for souvenirs, etc, and then you can tender back to the ship. Have a great trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie1005 Posted November 22, 2017 #12 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Hi Karen- I think we are going to join booking this one direct for Falklands for 31st Dec. Have you used Estancia before? This is our first cruise so we are a little nervous about going off the HAL bookings for someone local etc.Thanks Lisa Hi Lisa Thinfool gave a great explanation! This is my first time as well, and did a lot of research before deciding to do it independently. Estancia has an excellent reputation and I’m very comfortable using them. Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmender Posted November 22, 2017 #13 Share Posted November 22, 2017 If I can comment here...we went with Nyree (Estancia) almost exactly a year ago...it was wonderful! and less than 1/2 the price of HAL.She will take USD, but you need to email her now so that you know what her price is in USD. (thinking in the neighborhood of US$180) Let me explain how the Volunteer Point excursions work, and this is true for all, including ship excursions. You will ride for approx an hour over local roads, part of which are gravel and then embark across a large bog which requires 4 wheel drive vehicles (many are Land Rovers). While rare, it is not impossible for even these vehicles to get stuck. To compensate for this possibility, no vehicle crosses the bog area alone. There will always be two or more vehicles traveling together. The bog crossing takes almost another hour and we thought it was quite a nice adventure. At the end of the bog is the Atlantic Ocean...and penguins....oh so many penguins! King, Gentoo and Magellanic. All very photogenic and interesting. Dress warmly...while not freezing, it will be chilly and windy, possibly with drizzle or rain. Expect to stay at the penguin site for an hour or so. Nyree will take your money at this point. You will be able to tell who is on a ship excursion...they have the little HAL stickers on their jackets. There are nice, western standard type rest rooms available. Estancia provides a nice but tiny box lunch. At the end of your visit the process reverses for the trip back to Stanley. If time allows you can ask your driver for a short tour of the city. We did...it took about 10 minutes (very small city). There are a few shops along the waterfront for souvenirs, etc, and then you can tender back to the ship. Have a great trip! Thank you so much for the response - that was really useful. We are booking the trip with them. We are British so GBP is good for us. Count down to our first cruise :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaKnowWhen Posted November 26, 2017 #14 Share Posted November 26, 2017 (edited) Thank you so much for the response - that was really useful. We are booking the trip with them. We are British so GBP is good for us. Count down to our first cruise :-) We used Estancia in 2015. The previous poster thinfool was totally accurate in every respect except that your time at Volunteer Point may be longer than one hour. We had ample time to walk around the main rookery, then back to the parking lot for our box lunch (prepared by Nyree's mother), and then down along the beach for another 30-45 minute stroll. GBP are preferred, crisp newish bills will get you an extra smile. Enjoy! Edited November 26, 2017 by GottaKnowWhen trying to correct a misattribution of a quote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruth Posted December 8, 2017 #15 Share Posted December 8, 2017 We were messaged by our tour guide to bring payment in GBP. He stated if we brought US Dollar the tour price is higher due to he would have to take to the bank and they charge him more to exchange it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Solent Richard Posted December 9, 2017 #16 Share Posted December 9, 2017 We saw the island on private tour that took us to areas where we were all alone. Here is my review which also includes the name of the tour guide. Excellent value and paid in GBP. https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2013/05/29/one-way-to-do-the-falklands/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie1005 Posted December 9, 2017 #17 Share Posted December 9, 2017 We saw the island on private tour that took us to areas where we were all alone. Here is my review which also includes the name of the tour guide. Excellent value and paid in GBP. https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2013/05/29/one-way-to-do-the-falklands/ Great review, thanks for posting. Enjoyed your pics! :) Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie1005 Posted December 9, 2017 #18 Share Posted December 9, 2017 We used Estancia in 2015. The previous poster thinfool was totally accurate in every respect except that your time at Volunteer Point may be longer than one hour. We had ample time to walk around the main rookery, then back to the parking lot for our box lunch (prepared by Nyree's mother), and then down along the beach for another 30-45 minute stroll.GBP are preferred, crisp newish bills will get you an extra smile. Enjoy! Good to see the positive feedback for Estancia. We are scheduled for a tour on New Year’s Eve and very excited! Thanks for posting the pics! Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted December 25, 2017 #19 Share Posted December 25, 2017 We're using Estancia soon, so it is good to hear the positive reviews. They prefer GBP--so I already have them. Just hoping that we can port there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susiesan Posted December 26, 2017 #20 Share Posted December 26, 2017 Estancia confirmed that we can use USD for our tour in February. So that is what I plan to bring. I do have 40 euros left over from a trip to Europe so maybe I can make the payment with a combo of dollars and euros. Or perhaps shops there will take euros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caneable Posted December 30, 2017 #21 Share Posted December 30, 2017 Highly unlikely that you will be able to use Euros on the Falkland Islands. The island is heavily wedded to the GBP and the exchange rate against the euro is awful post Brexit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now