Car rental logistics

[S.A.M.J.R.]

313 days until we board the Oasis (but who's counting?).

We are flying into Orlando instead of FLL (saving >$200 each RT). Flights are booked. Arrival is 1:30P into MCO (subject to change of course, this is Delta).

National rental car reserved from MCO for drop off at FLL. Second car reserved post cruise from FLL to MCO (total for both cars is still cheaper than airfare to FLL).

Hotel is not booked yet. So, logistically...
Pre-cruise, do we:
Option 1) Drive to hotel, drop off bags, go have dinner, drop off car at airport and shuttle/cab back to hotel
Option 2 Drop car off at airport Saturday morning and shuttle/cab to port

I'm leaning toward Option 1 so we don't have to drag our bags back to the airport.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Thanks

PS... yes, our flight gets into Orlando the day before the cruise.

[boo214]

Originally Posted by S.A.M.J.R.

313 days until we board the Oasis (but who's counting?).

We are flying into Orlando instead of FLL (saving >$200 each RT). Flights are booked. Arrival is 1:30P into MCO (subject to change of course, this is Delta).

National rental car reserved from MCO for drop off at FLL. Second car reserved post cruise from FLL to MCO (total for both cars is still cheaper than airfare to FLL).

Hotel is not booked yet. So, logistically...
Pre-cruise, do we:
Option 1) Drive to hotel, drop off bags, go have dinner, drop off car at airport and shuttle/cab back to hotel
Option 2 Drop car off at airport Saturday morning and shuttle/cab to port

I'm leaning toward Option 1 so we don't have to drag our bags back to the airport.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Thanks

PS... yes, our flight gets into Orlando the day before the cruise.

you could try option 3: drop bags and people (or just bags) at port saturday morning then drop car at airport then shuttle/cab to port.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Originally Posted by boo214

you could try option 3: drop bags and people (or just bags) at port saturday morning then drop car at airport then shuttle/cab to port.

Didn't know dropping bags only was an option. It's just DW & I travelling, I don't think she'd like it if I left her at the port.

[JohninDC]

Go with option #2 -- otherwise you'll still need a cab or shuttle to the port from your hotel. Good luck!

[Langley Cruisers]

Originally Posted by S.A.M.J.R.

Didn't know dropping bags only was an option. It's just DW & I travelling, I don't think she'd like it if I left her at the port.

It is an option but I agree with you on not leaving her alone! Also, the traffic into Port Everglades can be a madhouse so better to only have to do it once, right?

Option 2.
.

[boo214]

Originally Posted by S.A.M.J.R.

Didn't know dropping bags only was an option. It's just DW & I travelling, I don't think she'd like it if I left her at the port.

probably not but i bet you would (at least until you got back there )

[DanJ]

There are a few small dollar variables to throw around. National has a free shuttle to the port from the airport. I don't believe it starts until 11am, and I would definitely call them at their direct number and inquire what kind of schedule it runs on, as it's only one bus, and probably takes an hour for it's round trip.

Depending on the hotel you choose, you might get free shuttle from airport to hotel and/or to the port the next morning. Some hotels charge for parking. You could also rent from Hertz, who has return locations in many of the hotels and saves the hassle of returning the car altogether. Although, you will probably pay more for these type of hotels and most of them don't have shuttles. But cab fare is pretty cheap too.

You are looking at a 3.5-4 hour Friday afternoon drive to Ft Lauderdale, so you won't arrive until 6pm or so. For me in that situation, I'd drop the stuff at the hotel, have dinner, and return the car that night. No real reason to keep it for the night, and then just call a cab to the port, unless the hotel has a shuttle that looks like it won't be a clusterf in the morning.

Also, what time is your return flight? Since you booked, I won't suggest pricing out what West Palm Beach would have been LOL.