Help please, leaving in 4 days!

[Tammiko]

Hi there, I am leaving in 4 days for a back to back Western/Eastern on the Glory out of Port Canavral. It was a last minute decision and I am just now trying to figure out what to pack etc. I just realized that I have no idea what to do about currency. Do I need to bring all of the different monies? If I just bring USD will all the little markets etc. accept them? What about cabs and independent tours? With all of the different stops I don't even know what each of them take to be honest and truly don't know when I would have the time to go and get it at this point. I haven't even started my laundry or cleaning. So much to do, so little time.

[kchesneylover]

TRUST me - they will take your US dollars. You will need ones to tip the porters at the port as well if they help you.

 

If you do your laundry first, it will be easier to pack your clothes.

 

Do a search on the specific port boards for your tours and stuff. Which ports are youu going to?

 

Hi there, I am leaving in 4 days for a back to back Western/Eastern on the Glory out of Port Canavral. It was a last minute decision and I am just now trying to figure out what to pack etc. I just realized that I have no idea what to do about currency. Do I need to bring all of the different monies? If I just bring USD will all the little markets etc. accept them? What about cabs and independent tours? With all of the different stops I don't even know what each of them take to be honest and truly don't know when I would have the time to go and get it at this point. I haven't even started my laundry or cleaning. So much to do, so little time.

[Tammiko]

Thanks,

I am going to Cozumel, Belize City, Costa Maya, Freeport on the Western then on the Eastern we go to Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. So you believe that USD will be all we need for cabs, little stands etc? And yes, laundry will be a very good place to start. tee hee.

[kchesneylover]

Our first cruise, we went to the ports you are going to (we went to Cozumel, but that was before Wilma) and in 8 days we are doing the Eastern -- your itinerary is the same as ours on the Valor Eastern.

 

They will take US dollars at the stands. If you like a challenge, try getting through the straw market in Nassau without a purchase. I bet you can't do it! lol!! :D

 

In St. Thomas, we are taking the ferry over to St. John for the day - we are going back to Trunk Bay - I recommend this excursion and it can be done on your own - as we have done it and are doing it again. u s v i . n e t (no spaces) is a great place to find taxi//ferry rateess between STT and STJ.

 

Thanks,

I am going to Cozumel, Belize City, Costa Maya, Freeport on the Western then on the Eastern we go to Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. So you believe that USD will be all we need for cabs, little stands etc? And yes, laundry will be a very good place to start. tee hee.

[Tammiko]

Kchesneylover,

Thank you so much for your responses! I am so looking forward to this trip. Overwhelmed by how much there is to do, but can't wait all the same. I am taking a 3 yr. old with me so not sure about what we will be doing at any of the ports but just excited to be going. If we do nothing more than build sand castles it will be fabulous. Again, I thank you for taking the time to respond to me. Have a wonderful time on your trip! Tammiko.:)

[breanne$5]

We used Godfrey in St. Thomas, met us at the ship, took us to town to look around, upto the top of the island (fantastic view), then to a beach of our choice (or back to the ship if you wanted). Only $25 per person, it was fantastic.

http://www.godfreytoursvi.com/

 

In St Martin, take the water taxi over and have lunch, and sit on the beach right there.

 

 

In Cozumel there's Paradise Beach, short cab drive

I think both of these could easily be done with a 3 year old.

http://www.paradisecozumel.com

With a little one, and two weeks, it will be nice they have a laudromat on board!

Take a power strip - only one plug in in the cabin.

Take lots of small bills for cabs, tipping, etc.

Do a search on here for packing lists or another good site that has packing lists is cruiseclues.com

Have a wonderful time!

[hstrybuf]

Tammiko, USD are readily accepted in all those ports. Just make a quick trip to the bank if necessary to make sure you have plenty of $1, $5 and $10's. Some places will tell you they can't make change in USD for purchases paid for in larger denominations.

 

I know time is limited, but if you can, check Carnival's website or the ports of call boards for ideas on what to do in each port. If you need more help, be sure to post!

[Tammiko]

Thank you Gayle!

Wanted to Godfrey's tour but we are not off the boat in time to do his. :mad: Now that we have to do customs it takes forever and they let off the people who do Carnival excursions off first. So apparently the others often don't make it off until as late as 1:30 in the afternoon. Too late for Godfrey unfortuneately. I was very disappointed! Great tips on the others though! Thank you very much!

[Tammiko]

Thank you Deb!

I will make sure I go to the bank early on Monday in case I need to make a few stops. I'm in Canada and we don't always have the largest selection! Great advice.

Thanks, Tammiko

[breanne$5]

Did you email Godfrey, sometimes he can work around it, or set you up with a reliable person who fits your schedule. We really could have done without the shopping, and just took the tour and beach.

 

We were through customs and off the ship in less than an hour. So you should be able to make a 10-10:30 tour, 11 at the very lastest.

 

Have a great cruise!

[mississauga]

Tammiko,

There are laundry facilities on board so if you don't get a chance to iron everything.... ironing boards and irons are available in the laundromats. If you need to do laundry, bring some detergent in a ziplock and bring a few sheets of fabric softener. They do have them in the laundromats if you forget or prefer not to bring your own.

As others have said, USD are acceptable in all ports. $1 bills are very handy to have and if you can't get them at your bank ( I'm from Canada too ), just go to the casino and ask them for smaller bills.

[Tammiko]

I must say, I LOVE Cruise Critic! You guys are all terrific. Thank you all so much! I will email Godfrey right now. Maybe if I tell him that I really don't know what time we will get off the ship he can give me a number and I can call him when we do finally get off and see if we can set anything up when we do? It will be worth a try! Again, thanks alot. Tammiko.

[dansu]

Thank you Deb!

I will make sure I go to the bank early on Monday in case I need to make a few stops. I'm in Canada and we don't always have the largest selection! Great advice.

Thanks, Tammiko

 

It's cheaper at the money exchanges. I paid less for my US$. Phone around as the one I go to in Ottawa doesn't charge a service fee and their rate of exchange is really good.