Tampa Carnival Pier

[alysiasc]

I am planning my honeymoon, and we will be driving from South Carolina to Tampa to get on the boat, what I don't know is what I do about the rental car? Is there a rental car drop off point at the pier or do I need to find somewhere else to drop the car off at? I cannot seem to find any info on the Carnival site.

[Shirley and Les]

I suspect you will have to return your rental car at the airport. It is a 20 to 30 minute drive from the airport to the cruise terminal. From the airport, you can catch a cab or shuttle to the pier.
If you are staying in Tampa the evening before the cruise departs, I would suggest one of the airport area motels that offers both airport and cruise terminal shuttles. If you are staying in town overnight, check in at the hotel and take the car back to the airport when you are finished using it. Take the motel shuttle back to the motel and then on to the cruise terminal. The Airport Hilton offers free airport shuttle and a cruise ship shuttle for just a few bucks. If you are driving back to South Carolina after the cruise, you might want to check out renting a car in South Carolina and keeping it until you return to SC. If you get involved with drop-off charges for a one way rental, it might be less expensive to park the vehicle in Florida while on your cruise.
For cruise ship terminal information, do a web search for "Port of Tampa" and you should come up with the site for the cruise ship terminals.
Going on a cruise has to be a great way to start a marriage.
Best Wishes,
Les

[Orcrone]

We took Carnival out of Tampa last year. We flew in two days early and rented a car from National. When we returned the car they had a free shuttle service to the cruise terminal. For the return trip we took a cab. It was a little over $20 with a tip, if I remember correctly.

You may want to call around. Some car rental companies provided a free shuttle, some didn't.

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam