Air Canada Vacations

Before you leave Canada

Entry requirements

Canadian citizens entering Nassau require some proof of citizenship, such as a passport. Air Canada Vacations strongly recommends the use of a passport for all destinations. No health certificate is necessary. Landed immigrants should consult the consulate or tourist board about all pertinent formalities required.

Baggage

Please refer to aircanada.com for Baggage Information.

Airport check in

It is recommended that you present yourself at the airport counter of the airline indicated on your voucher 3 hours prior to departure. Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations representatives will be available starting at 5 a.m.

Your arrival at destination

Hotel check in

Upon arrival at your hotel, please identify yourself at the front desk with your Air Canada Vacations voucher. You will then be assigned your accommodation. The check in time at the majority of hotels is 3 p.m.

Your departure from destination

Departure information

The day before you leave, remember to consult the Air Canada Vacations bulletin board in your hotel lobby, for details on your departure procedures and return flight. At hotels which do not allow bulletin boards, please inquire about last minute changes at the hotel tour desk.

Hotel check out

Hotel check out times may vary depending on the property but generally you must vacate the room by 12 p.m. (noon). For passengers with late flights, every effort will be made to provide you with a hospitality room, however, this cannot be guaranteed, particularly during high season.

Duty-free shopping

Duty-free shops are located either at the airport or in town. After an absence of 7 days or more, Canadian residents are permitted to return with a maximum of CAD $750 of merchandise per trip without paying duty. Each time you leave Canada for at least 48 hours, you are eligible to declare up to CAD $200 of merchandise. A written declaration may be requested. Each adult is allowed 1.1 litre (40 oz.) of liquor and one (1) carton of cigarettes. If you include cigarettes, tobacco sticks and loose tobacco in your personal exemption allowance, only a partial exemption will apply. You will have to pay a minimum duty on these products unless they are marked “Canada - Duty paid”. Canadian made products sold at a duty-free shop will be marked in this way.

Airport check in

Procedures are the same as for departure from Canada.

During your holiday

Customer Care

To reach Air Canada Vacations Customer Care, call toll-free 1 800 296-3408 or e-mail us at: prevoyageclientele@vacv.com. We are at your service seven days a week: from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, eastern time.

Local Air Canada Vacations office

The local office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Should you require the services of an Air Canada Vacations representative, outside of scheduled desk hours, please call 242-424-8228.

Emergency

Medical facilities are excellent. The major Bahamian hospitals are in Nassau. Please contact your Air Canada Vacations Representative if you require assistance. Keep all your receipts.

Banking

Business hours: Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some Canadian banks are represented in Nassau: Scotia Bank and Royal Bank of Canada.

Currency

The currency in Nassau is the Bahamian dollar, at par with the American dollar, whose value is quoted in the business section of major newspapers. Traveler’s cheques are accepted by most hotels and stores. U.S. dollars are imperative for travel to the Bahamas. Canadian currency is not accepted but can be exchanged at all banks.

Long distance calls

Please note if placing a call from your hotel room, to ask the hotel operator about connection service charges. Using a pay phone will avoid these service charges from the hotel.

Credit cards

Credit cards such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard are widely honoured.

Shopping

Nassau is an international market place. Stores are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The best buys are imported goods: cameras, Swiss watches, Scottish tweeds, French perfumes and leather goods. Bahamian craftsmen also produce handmade straw goods, wood carvings and shell jewelry that you can bargain for at the straw market. Bargain at the straw market but not in the stores.

Local transportation

Taxis are readily available at all hotels in Nassau. Cabs are metered and their rates are fixed by law. The jitney is a minibus service that runs from downtown Nassau to the outskirts of the city for approximately $1.

Car rental

Air Canada Vacations and AVIS* offer you the possibility of a car rental. Kindly contact your Destination Representative for rates and details upon arrival.
*Renter must be over 25 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license and a major credit card. Remember to drive on the left in the Bahamas.

Sightseeing

Optional excursions are a great way to enhance your Air Canada Vacations holiday. Choose from a wide variety of activities and excursions available at your destination. For more information or to reserve your excursion, please see our local Air Canada Vacations Representative or Ground Handler Partner.

Tipping

Most restaurants add 15% to the bill which covers all services. If not, tipping is at client’s discretion.

Water

Majority of tap water is safe to drink, but check with the hotel first.

Electricity

120 volts, 60 cycles, the same as in Canada.

Language

English.

Religion

Most religions are represented: Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Jewish. For more information, consult your hotel front desk or your Air Canada Vacations representative.

Time zone

When it is noon in Nassau, it is
1 p.m. in Halifax
12 p.m. (noon) in Montreal or Toronto
11 a.m. in Winnipeg
10 a.m. in Calgary
9 a.m. in Vancouver
The above times are for the winter season only ; it does not take into account Daylight Savings time.