Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[Cerberus9]

I've lived in Canada most of my life. Tipping in US dollars will NOT be an issue. IMHO this is one of the most absurd arguments I've seen yet on these boards!

I can't imagine there's any place in Vancouver that wouldn't accept US cash... I imagine most of the crew would appreciate US cash as well, as it's the universal currency.

Really, this is absurd argument...

 

[neoavatara]

There are a very few places that won't take dollars...I encountered a couple in Vancouver. But worrying about it is stupid...it won't effect your trip in the least.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I have a question about port arrival. We are gold cc and booked an arrival time of 10:30. MIL is silver but not computer literate and is going to wait until she gets to the port to check-in so no arrival time. Another family our reservation is linked to has never cruised and their arrival time is 11:00. Can we all arrive together?

For VANCOUVER, the arrival time you select when doing on line paperwork has NO BEARING on when you arrive, check in or get a boarding number. It's first come, first serve. At least for the first couple of cruises, you did not get your boarding number at check in, there were CMs with a handfull of cards just passing them out.

.

 

[eandesmom]

While I agree that this currency argument is a bit silly, I thought I'd weight in from a WA resident perspective and totally agree with the Canadians that have posted it is really interchangeable, especially in Vancouver.

Whether I take cash out of an ATM or use a CC, there will be a foreign transaction fee so it's 6 of one, half a dozen of the other if you ask me.

Honestly, we never even think about it and are in Vancouver/Whistler on a fairly regular basis, it's just never been an issue. I do find it a bit amusing (personally) that folks are assuming all the CM's are Canadian....I mean do people really know that? Seems to me folks come from all over the place to work for DCL so is the purpose of tipping in CAN just for ease of CM's shopping purchases while in port in Vancouver?

Heck, if you really want to be global you could tip in travelers checks or visa gift cards.

I'm just joking of course (and trying to lighten things up), only point being what might be best for one CM may not in fact be best for another and there is really no way to know. I'm confident that all of them can figure out how to spend anything they get.

 

[brentm3]

I'm just joking of course (and trying to lighten things up), only point being what might be best for one CM may not in fact be best for another and there is really no way to know. I'm confident that all of them can figure out how to spend anything they get.

I saw an lot of CMs hop a bus to Walmart in Ketchikan during our stop - I'm sure those folks would happy to have good 'ol American currency.

They have 3 ports that are US, only one that is CAN for the whole summer. The Canadian port has a high likelyhood of accepting American currency. Unless I missed it, I didn't see a convenience store by the port in Vancouver...it was mostly touristy stuff around there.

IMHO the cast members are going to be well served having US currency.

 

[Cerberus9]

For what it's worth, before my cruise, I exchanged some Canadian money (I'm Canadian) for American cash just for tipping purposes.

So there.

 

[jilljill]

There's been enough of the currency talk for now - US$ can be used in many places in Vancouver, that is the consensus.
There's no sense in beating a dead horse.....please move along.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

I asked this question awhile back and didn't get an answer, so I thought I would try again...

Can anyone who has sailed to Alaska in the passed tell me, do the duty free rules apply? Will there be itemsto purchase duty free on the ship such as liquor and fragrances?

Thanks!

 

[jilljill]

I asked this question awhile back and didn't get an answer, so I thought I would try again...

Can anyone who has sailed to Alaska in the passed tell me, do the duty free rules apply? Will there be itemsto purchase duty free on the ship such as liquor and fragrances?

Thanks!

This question was answered a while back, the answer is YES there are the same duty free items available to purchase.

 

[LAWalz23]

Has anyone attended the Tea with Ariel and Tiana? My niece and cousin's daughters would be so thrilled if this is true on our cruise. We have not said anything to niece in case this isn't on our cruise but I know she would be almost as thrilled as when Ariel came out during our dinner in WDW years ago (surprised her that time, too).

 

[smb6]

I know and agree that the currency issue needs/needed to be put to rest... but I am writing this from Vancouver as we just arrived earlier today.... While I still plan to tip in cash; we are finding the local eateries do not accept US cash.... I used my card, so no biggie... but thought the info was worthy of sharing my first hand experience....

 

[Shanonn]

Has anyone attended the Tea with Ariel and Tiana? My niece and cousin's daughters would be so thrilled if this is true on our cruise. We have not said anything to niece in case this isn't on our cruise but I know she would be almost as thrilled as when Ariel came out during our dinner in WDW years ago (surprised her that time, too).

We went to this Tea on the Alaska cruise. They offered it a few different days & we went on Sunday (Ketchikan day) at 10:00am.

 

[poohj80]

We went to this Tea on the Alaska cruise. They offered it a few different days & we went on Sunday (Ketchikan day) at 10:00am.

Didn't realize there were several times. Do you know if the Princesses are the same each time? Is there a fee?

 

[poohj80]

Thought of another question that I don't recall having seen discussed yet...are the characters in the terminal prior to boarding in Vancouver like they are in Port Canaveral?

Thanks!

 

[Cerberus9]

Thought of another question that I don't recall having seen discussed yet...are the characters in the terminal prior to boarding in Vancouver like they are in Port Canaveral?

Thanks!

Yes. At least Mickey and Minne were there. They were right beside the gangway, and you could get your picture(s) taken with them.

 

[poohj80]

Yes. At least Mickey and Minne were there. They were right beside the gangway, and you could get your picture(s) taken with them.

Cool, thanks! Just got off the Dream so now can start thinking about Alaska.

 

[sabrecmc]

There are a very few places that won't take dollars...I encountered a couple in Vancouver. But worrying about it is stupid...it won't effect your trip in the least.

The only place we couldn't use US dollars was on one of the Vancouver buses (the one back to the Fairmont from the Aquarium). Seems obvious now that the bus wouldn't take it, but literally everywhere else had (down to the snack food place at the Aquarium). The nice bus driver let us ride for free though!

 

[shwarren70]

I know and agree that the currency issue needs/needed to be put to rest... but I am writing this from Vancouver as we just arrived earlier today.... While I still plan to tip in cash; we are finding the local eateries do not accept US cash.... I used my card, so no biggie... but thought the info was worthy of sharing my first hand experience....

Were here right now and havent had a problem using US currency anywhere. while they will accept they ask don't you want to use a card because you lose about 10% paying in us currency.

 

[LAWalz23]

We went to this Tea on the Alaska cruise. They offered it a few different days & we went on Sunday (Ketchikan day) at 10:00am.

Thanks for the info! My niece will be thrilled and surprised! She always asks if Ariel will be on our cruises.

 

[LAWalz23]

Didn't realize there were several times. Do you know if the Princesses are the same each time? Is there a fee?

The tea is free but you have to get tickets at guest services. We have always gone there immediately upon boarding and have never had trouble getting tickets.