Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[mmmears]

I would be happy to answer any questions. It was an AMAZING week. What would you like to know?

- Dreams

EVERYTHING!!! Seriously, I'd love to hear about the activities and food on the ship, and whatever you care to share.

 

[jodeja]

Did anyone who has cruised already go to any of the Disney's Art of Entertaining sessions? From looking at the Navigators, I am interested in the one on the Tracy Arm day, which is the entree. It says that it shows you how to make pan seared salmon. The issue is that I already have a spa appointment booked for that time and am wondering if the cooking session is worth it.

Also, any reviews of any of the exercise classes?

Thanks!

 

[Padres19]

New question: for those paying cash once in Canada, are you using U.S. currency or Canadian currency? We were thinking of taking a cab to the Pan Pacific and using a credit card to pay for it; can you add your tip to the credit card as well? If you are using Canadian currency, from which location did you acquire it?

I'm certain that you are kidding, but just in case, you actually need to use Canadian currency when you are in Canada. There are several currency exchanges at the Vancouver Airport (they all have roughly the same exchange rate), but we always use the ATM that is located in the greeting area, right after you leave customs and before you exit the terminal to the street (on your left as you are facing the the sliding glass doors). Again, just to be sure you aren't joking, you will get CANADIAN money when you use the ATM.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Im going to scan navigators tonight for everyone! I have them all sitting here - just finding time to scan!

 

[DCL Repeaters]

I'm certain that you are kidding, but just in case, you actually need to use Canadian currency when you are in Canada. There are several currency exchanges at the Vancouver Airport (they all have roughly the same exchange rate), but we always use the ATM that is located in the greeting area, right after you leave customs and before you exit the terminal to the street (on your left as you are facing the the sliding glass doors). Again, just to be sure you aren't joking, you will get CANADIAN money when you use the ATM.

You can use US dollars, you will get Canadian change.

 

[smb6]

I'm certain that you are kidding, but just in case, you actually need to use Canadian currency when you are in Canada. There are several currency exchanges at the Vancouver Airport (they all have roughly the same exchange rate), but we always use the ATM that is located in the greeting area, right after you leave customs and before you exit the terminal to the street (on your left as you are facing the the sliding glass doors). Again, just to be sure you aren't joking, you will get CANADIAN money when you use the ATM.

Do you think it would be ok to tip the porters with US money? I was not planning to get any Canadian money; we will be in Vancouver for a few days; but I think I should be able to use my credit card at eating places and such...

Im going to scan navigators tonight for everyone! I have them all sitting here - just finding time to scan!

Thanks!!

 

[Cerberus9]

Do you think it would be ok to tip the porters with US money? I was not planning to get any Canadian money; we will be in Vancouver for a few days; but I think I should be able to use my credit card at eating places and such...



Thanks!!

US money has always been accepted in Canada.

 

[Caropooh]

I'm certain that you are kidding, but just in case, you actually need to use Canadian currency when you are in Canada. There are several currency exchanges at the Vancouver Airport (they all have roughly the same exchange rate), but we always use the ATM that is located in the greeting area, right after you leave customs and before you exit the terminal to the street (on your left as you are facing the the sliding glass doors). Again, just to be sure you aren't joking, you will get CANADIAN money when you use the ATM.

I'm fairly certain the poster is not kidding. There are MANY cities on or near borders of countries that will take currency from either country.
smb6, I wouldn't worry about getting Canadian currency just for the porters, I'm sure they will more than willingly take American! They are probably very used to it!

 

["Got Disney"]

I'm fairly certain the poster is not kidding. There are MANY cities on or near borders of countries that will take currency from either country.
smb6, I wouldn't worry about getting Canadian currency just for the porters, I'm sure they will more than willingly take American! They are probably very used to it!

Not just that but American currency is worth more than Canadian so you are giving a bigger tip

 

[HiMagicFan]

Since it was just tips, I was concerned about I wasn't going to change my US$ to Canadian but someone posted a consideration, that the US money is weaker. Since it was just tips I may change $60 from the ATM at the airport for the tips since we are doing 3-1/2 days before and 2 days after in Vancouver. The rest I am gonna use my credit card as I don't normally carry cash anymore.

 

[Padres19]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";41246625]Not just that but American currency is worth more than Canadian so you are giving a bigger tip [/QUOTE]

About a decade ago, $1 US would get you $1.50 CDN. For the past year, the Canadian Dollar has been worth MORE than U.S. Dollar ($1 US gets you about 96 cents CDN). The US Dollar continues to DECREASE in value against the Canadian Dollar, so I'm not sure that porters, doorman and others who you may wish to give tips to will be as thrilled to receive US Dollars as you may think.

 

[Shanny145]

I'm certain that you are kidding, but just in case, you actually need to use Canadian currency when you are in Canada. There are several currency exchanges at the Vancouver Airport (they all have roughly the same exchange rate), but we always use the ATM that is located in the greeting area, right after you leave customs and before you exit the terminal to the street (on your left as you are facing the the sliding glass doors). Again, just to be sure you aren't joking, you will get CANADIAN money when you use the ATM.

Why would he be kidding? Perfectly reasonable question...and YES you can use US currency in Canada you will just get Canadian currency back if there is change. The best way to do this is credit card and yes you can tip on your card as well....most credit card companies give you the best exchange rate. I hope this helps!

Kidding/joking....REALLY??? How RUDE! Shame on you!

 

[Shanny145]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";41246625]Not just that but American currency is worth more than Canadian so you are giving a bigger tip [/QUOTE]
I wish you were right....it used to be now the US dollar is dying

 

[jodeja]

Since the ship is registered in the Bahamas (right?), did anyone get charged the credit card foreign transaction fee for using their credit card on the ship?

 

[msnoble]

Sorry if this has been answered, but I couldn't find it in the thread...How are the transfers handled back to the Vancouver Airport at the end of the cruise? Do you leave your bags the night before and then they just 'magically' arrive at the airport, or do you have to claim them from the boat, and then make your way with your luggage to the Disney transportation?

We are trying to decide if we want to use the Disney transfers or just arrange a ride on our own...not having to deal with luggage would push us towards using Disney.

Thanks!
Maureen

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Sorry if this has been answered, but I couldn't find it in the thread...How are the transfers handled back to the Vancouver Airport at the end of the cruise? Do you leave your bags the night before and then they just 'magically' arrive at the airport, or do you have to claim them from the boat, and then make your way with your luggage to the Disney transportation?

We are trying to decide if we want to use the Disney transfers or just arrange a ride on our own...not having to deal with luggage would push us towards using Disney.

Thanks!
Maureen

You have to get your luggage, put it on a cart, and go through customs with your own luggage, then roll it over to the bus (not far).

 

[DisneyBasket]

Do you think it would be ok to tip the porters with US money? I was not planning to get any Canadian money; we will be in Vancouver for a few days; but I think I should be able to use my credit card at eating places and such...



Thanks!!

We did this and were unpleasantly surprised by an "International Transaction Fee" on every CC transaction. I converted some cash on our final day in Vancouver to save on the fees. You might want to check before you go.

 

[DisneyBasket]

Since the ship is registered in the Bahamas (right?), did anyone get charged the credit card foreign transaction fee for using their credit card on the ship?

The charge is from Disney Cruise Lines based in Florida, so no international fees.

 

[DisneyBasket]

Sorry if this has been answered, but I couldn't find it in the thread...How are the transfers handled back to the Vancouver Airport at the end of the cruise? Do you leave your bags the night before and then they just 'magically' arrive at the airport, or do you have to claim them from the boat, and then make your way with your luggage to the Disney transportation?

We are trying to decide if we want to use the Disney transfers or just arrange a ride on our own...not having to deal with luggage would push us towards using Disney.

Thanks!
Maureen

My understanding was that we could have checked our bags through from the ship if we were flying out on the day of the transfer. We didn't fly out til the next day, so we had to claim our baggage and take it to the bus ourselves. We transferred to the airport, then transferred to our hotel from the airport.

It did seem that everyone on the bus stowed their luggage themselves, so not sure if direct check is really available. You might check with Guest Services or DCL directly.

 

[DisneyBasket]

By the way, luggage carts are available everywhere we went. They were free everywhere except in our home airport :-( We had a LOT of luggage, and had no trouble schlepping it around. There were plenty of luggage carts at the airport and at the port.