Cruises to Newfoundland

There are no facilities on the cruise pier. As the locals say, the cruise dock is within five minutes walking distance of everything you'll want to see or do downtown.

Don't confuse St. John's, Newfoundland, with Saint John, New Brunswick (it's easy to do because both are cruise ports found on Atlantic Canada itineraries). And, when setting your watch, note that Newfoundland has its own time zone. It's an hour and a half ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

On Foot: Water Street, the main shopping street, is one block up the hill from the port. Water Street runs into George Street, best known for its lively pubs. The City of St. John's Visitor Information Center at 348 Water Street is open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May through early October and weekdays the rest of the year.

By Taxi: Taxis are usually waiting at the pier. If you're heading to the airport and your ship does not supply transfers, take the 20-minute taxi ride. Call Bugden's Taxi at 709-722-4400.

By Bus: Ride the Metrobus around town. Be aware, exact change is required. Or, buy a multi-ride M pass online. (www.metrobustransit.ca)

By Car: So you want to get out of town and don't want to join a tour. Rent a car. All the major rental agencies are represented. Cars are in limited supply, so make a reservation.

The Canadian dollar is the official currency. Visit www.xe.com and www.oanda.com for current rates. ATMs are easy to find in banks and the lobbies of larger hotels. Most shops and some taxis accept credit cards.

English is the official language. After a few pints at the pub, you might have a hard time understanding the accents or local slang. "Now the once," for example, means "a little later in the day."