pooh/tigger

We will be on the Epic soon.

Our flight home will be 1:30 out of MCO. Airline just changed it yesterday.

Never sailed from Port Canaveral. Assume that's a make-able time without rushing?

Getting shuttle at 10am a good time to avoid craziness at Port and highway (if any) leading to MCO?

Grazie

When you embark on Deck 6, do we go left or right to get to O'Sheehans?

Thought I'd add a fun question. :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Ooops, Grand Pacific.

As you enter here, go left and then back.

Passengers embark on deck 6, if you need to go to guest services, take the escalator down one flight

Thanks.

No guest services, just wondered if they use the escalator as a small "show off" when passengers embark.

Left or right for O'Sheehan's when we embark on deck 6.

Also interested in hearing about Go Port Canaveral

Rent a car.

We found a coupon online for Avis. Used their main website to book

For the 4 of us, $41 (includes taxes and fees) to and $61 back.

The Avis lot is in the Cocoa Beach area so not as crazy as the ones close to ship.

Their shuttles run every 15 minutes. And if you are booked with them, in a hurry and shuttle is taking to long, take a cab to their lot and they will subtract the fare from your car rental

When you go in the MDR, there is a quiet dining area to your left and then back. Just ask the concierge and wait if no table available. It's an area you almost always have to ask to be seated in.

It's very quiet and the service is much better. Not saying MDR service is bad. It is just better back there because very few tables and 2 to 3 servers and busers for the section.

We were a group of 5. Had the same server each night for dinner so we got to know each other well.

Each night, he would bring a sample plate of all the desserts available that evening and our group would share.

He found out (we didn't tell, he just heard us talking) that this trip was to celebrate mom's 80th. He had a beautiful cake brought out, a special birthday crown and sash and then proceeded to escort mom throughout the MDR as everyone sang Happy Birthday to her.

He made her feel so special, she was crying.

Back to the point. That area is where to go for dinner.

If you just want some quiet time to read and look out at the water, Spinnaker is place to go. The bar is suppose to open at 4pm up there but once in a while, the bar tender would open by 3pm.

And if you have a drink up there, ask for bar snacks. They don't always bring them out.

BTW, we tipped that server $100 at the end of our cruise.

Is the "up" escalator where passengers embark (deck 5)

It is limited, usually they say 100 passes (maybe more on the larger ships). Also keep in mind that on the newer ships lots of people have access to the spa with their cabin.

 

They also limit the number of people in the spa at any one time, so even if 100+ people theoretically have access to the spa, they can't all be in there at the same time.

Thanks for the information. Thermal spa on Epic looks really nice.

We didn't purchase at booking because we had to wait for others in our party to book and then decide if they were doing. Our PCC, who is sweet as heck but not very good, said "you can book online and save $20 up to 5 days before sailing and get a week for $179. NCL said the changed the price recently so no longer available at that price. Our mistake for waiting.

Regarding the spa pass, do they have a limit they will sale per cruise?

Let's use Epic as an example. Limit to certain number or try to sell 4000 for max profit.

We took advice from JohninDC and booked a one way car rental thru Avis. We got a Prius, just 2 adults, for $42 total.

Going thru Avis website was cheaper than using Costco. They came in cheaper than everyone else and we liked they weren't in the port but Cocoa Beach area. Figured it wouldn't be as crazy as rental places in Port. They have multiple shuttles and run every 15 minutes (they said)

Thanks JohninDC for your excellent advice.

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For those of you sailing the next couple months, let us know how it is getting to the terminal for embarkation.

Curious if traffic backs up because of all the cars coming in to pick up and drop off in the morning.

You need a smartphone with the app downloaded. You set up a payment account (I used my Apple Pay) but you can use a credit card. To request a ride, you open the app, type where you want to go, and request a ride. It will give you an estimated time of arrival for your driver and you can see their location realtime.

 

When you arrive at your destination, it will calculate the fare, bill you accordingly, and send you a receipt. Tips aren't available in the app, so would be cash if so obliged. I don't believe there are any special fees for using them at the port. Much easier to use than it sounds, I recommend downloading the app and taking a look at the functionality it's pretty straightforward.

Are you required to have CC stored in profile or can you just input with each transaction? Thx

Best Western Cocoa Beach anyone? Our parents and friends were getting good senior rates from them.

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I've never used Uber and, obviously, neither have they. How does it work? Do they have to have an account to use it. Can they choose who is their driver/car?

Are there any extra Port fees using Uber over a taxi? Thanks

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Found great one way deals (with coupons) thru Avis.

Close to their hotel and they can just take a taxi morning of the cruise.

Taxi rec's?

Looks like 888 is the only one from the port, are they best to the port as well? Reviews on a trip site had Happy Hour shuttle listed as a good one too

Why would you pay to park a rental car while cruising? :confused:

 

Why not return the car, save the rental fee and parking, and pick up another car after the cruise if still needed? :confused:

Hey John,

Knew you'd be the first to respond. Your the area pro, I see.

It was just something they rattled around. The rental places told them they couldn't take them to the port via shuttle until after Port gave permission ("we are given the greenlight after 10am, usually between 10:30 and 11am") That was from all except Budget.

Because of they are VIP/Haven, they are scheduled for check in time of 9:30 and 9:45.

Mom said "we can't walk over. That's too far and if shuttle won't take us at that time, what can we do?"

Their flight home isn't until 2:30pm. The rental places there told them to get off the ship early because it's a madhouse after 10am. I assumed it would be busy earlier.

I've cruised most ports but not this one so relying on friends here to help.

Parents will have a rental car next month for their Norwegian cruise.

Better to park at the Port garage or Park Port Canaveral?

They are VIP/Haven passengers so planned to arrive early. If at the Port garage, easy to find a spot (disabled spot?) at 9:30am? Is it a mad house in the garage that early?

Are the Park Port Canaveral shuttles able to run early or only when the Port says they can?

Thanks.

My experience is that the shuttles sort of run continuously. If they just missed a shuttle and do not want to wait for it to return (probably about 20 minutes) they could call a cab or an Uber.

 

Unless your return flight leaves after about 1:00 or so I would not bother with the car rental - between the shuttle, stopping for gas, drop off at MCO it is not worth the hassle. If you have an afternoon or later flight then grab the car and go someplace fun for lunch before heading to MCO.

Their return flight is 3pm.

Good idea about the lunch. Maybe a place in Cocoa Beach and let the highway to MCO clear out some. :)

All of the car rental agencies have offices in PC/Cocoa beach and offer free shuttles to/from the port. We have been happy with Avis service and the corporate rate I get, but all of the major agencies are there.

Parents are going in December and thinking about renting a car at MCO.

Dropping off, cabs ready to take to port? I assume shuttles run at a certain time. They are Haven passengers and board first so want to be there in time for that privilege.

Upon return, is it crazy at the rental counters to get back to MCO? Certain time better than others?

Thanks

We always arrive in the port city the night before the cruise. In the case of the Port Canaveral, we flew into Orlando and stayed at an airport hotel the night before the cruise. (We sailed in April 2016. The Spirit was sailing the same itinerary as the Epic will). On the morning of the cruise, we took the free hotel shuttle back to Orlando Airport (MCO) around 9:30 a.m. and caught the NCL transfer from the airport to PC.

 

It's about an hour's ride in full size motor coaches from MCO to PC. We got boarding group numbers and as we got on the motorcoach, the driver took our suitcases and that was the last we had to deal with them until they showed up in our stateroom.

 

wrt the Epic Thermal Suite, it is one of the best in the fleet IMHO. Large windows in the sauna so you can watch the ocean as you "cook". An outdoor balcony on the aft of the ship (not found on any other ship). It was the first large thermal suite that NCL built and it was well done.

 

Enjoy the Epic, we have sailed on her 5 times in the Caribbean, Europe, and the Mediterranean.

Have seen the "stay at airport hotel and use NCL transfers" on here but couldn't find the answer to this question. Maybe I missed it. Wouldn't be the first or last. :-)

When you board the coach and get your group number, is there a special line for these folks when you get to the port to check in and avoid standing in long lines?

Since you have done this, please explain a bit further.

Thinking this may be a good option for parents and their friends instead of standing in long lines.

Thanks

Instead of starting a new post, figured I'd jump in on this one.

We will be traveling with MIL who uses forearm crutches (both arms) to assist.

Will they take her out of line and allow her to get signed in so she can get to a seat before boarding starts?

We are fine standing in line but would like to get her to a seat

As mentioned above, you dined at the same table and same guests. On our first cruise aboard the Norway a very long time ago, the table was 10 chairs.

If you didn't like the guest you were seated with, you just asked and they moved you quickly.

I think the best parts of dining back then was you had the same waiter every day, for every meal and everyone dressed very nice for dinner. Men in collared shirts/tie and women wearing dresses. Even the kids dressed each night.

Having the same waiter for each meal is something I wish they would do today.

Back then, your waiter would get a feel of your likes and dislikes in the first day.

For example, he knew our daughter loved watermelon so with each meal, he would bring her watermelon and each time it would be in different shapes. One meal in round ball, another in stars, one day he made a Pooh bear face on a flat piece. Our daughter was 8 years old and felt like she was a princess.

Her birthday happened on this trip and our waiter found out thru our table mates. He arranged for everyone to stop serving and whole dining room sang happy birthday to her.

The Captain and Concierge would make their rounds each night to each table during dinner service.

Every afternoon was coffee/tea and fresh baked cookies.

You didn't have fighting for pool chairs or people creating huge islands with chairs in pool area. You could actually pass thru easily.

Back then, the buffet wasn't a big deal. Most ate in dining room.

Cabins were much bigger. The doors going outside on the Norway were wood and you had to step up and over the lip. Just like you would see on military ships in movies.

You stayed dressed for the shows after dinner.

The kids had a dance area at night after the shows. They could dance, play games or just visit. They would serve small snacks and each night before closing, they would have a chocolate desserts.

While the kids did their thing, most adults would meet in a huge cocktail area and mingle.

Back then, smoking was allowed everywhere. That was the worse part.

tipping was done in cash and using an envelope.

It may have cost more back then but was well worth it.

You felt like royalty when you went home. From inside to suite, no was was treated any differently. Not saying they do that today but there was a whole different feel back then.

Have seen those for under $200 RT (not including 20% gratuity) for sedan. His said limo so was hoping to get company info so we can contact and book. That price for a limo is a great deal

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Tmilak, please post info on this company. $200 RT for a limo is $300 less than the 23 companies who we got quotes from. $200 is a awesome price I'd like to take advantage of.

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We booked with Happy Hour shuttle. $140 RT for 2. Not a bus but our own car/van