Using Money and Credit Cards in Alaska

As you prepare for your Christian cruise with Inspiration, managing finances and avoiding fees is crucial for a smooth travel experience. Here are some guidelines:

• Leave unnecessary debit and credit cards at home to reduce risk and clutter.
• Notify your bank about your travel plans for the cards you do bring to prevent fraud alerts and transaction blocks.
• Keep a separate record of your bank's contact information in case you lose your wallet or purse.

Almost all businesses in Victoria or Vancouver, Canada accept U.S. credit or debit cards. If you’re planning to use your credit cards, you’ll want to check with each credit card company to determine the international exchange fee for each card. Because the difference of a few percentage points could wind up costing you hundreds of dollars (depending on your purchases), we recommend using cards with lower international exchange fees. Using your credit card for large purchases gives you more protection for the items you buy on your trip (you can look at your credit card statement to verify all of your purchases).

The Canadian Dollar (C$) is the local currency in Victoria and Vancouver. While U.S. dollars are often accepted, expect any change to be returned to you in Canadian dollars. If you choose to use cash, carrying small U.S. bills is practical. Currency exchange is available on board the ship; however, we recommend checking exchange rates beforehand.

For more information please call one of our Reservation Coordinators at 800 247 1899, Monday through Friday between 8:30am-5:00pm, Pacific Time.