Port Canaveral Transportation-- can't decide

[Lady_K]

Hi all,

 

I've been researching my options to get from the Orlando airport to Port Canaveral for my Glory cruise next month and I can't decide which is best. All 3 options cost the same (around $50) so price isn't really the problem.

 

Situation: The two of us are flying into Orlando late Friday night and staying at a hotel near the airport. The cruise leaves Saturday.

 

Option A - Carnival transfers. We'd take the hotel shuttle back to the airport to catch the Carnival bus.

 

Option B - Art's Shuttle. I've read a few good reviews about this company. I guess they would pick us up at the airport and take us right to the ship.

 

Option C - Rent a car. My husband's least favorite option since he thinks it would be a hassle, and we'd only use it just to get from Orlando to the port the next morning.

 

We will also need to decide how to get back to the airport at the end of the cruise. I'm thinking renting a car wouldn't really be feasible for this, so we'd have to decide on Carnival transfers or the shuttle company.

 

Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[mojean]

What time are you flying in on Friday? May be worth the car rental. There's plenty to see and do in Orlando. What time does your cruise depart on Saturday?

 

Who say's heaven isn't right here on earth??

 

 

Conquest 07/04

Fantasy 07/02

Destiny 05/01

[Facation Fanatic]

Geezz...I don't know. I am facing the same decision for my October cruise. I am with you and thinking the car rental is just too much of a hassle.

 

I have read some complaints about it taking a while for the Carnival buses to load. From what I've read, it sounds like it is more of a patience problem to me. I may be wrong. Personally, I don't care how long I have to wait just as long as I get back to MCO for my outbound flight, which is at 12:35PM.

 

The closest price I have found to the $50 R/T fare for Carnival is $65 R/T. With 2 people, that's $30 difference for completing basically the same task of getting me and wife to/from the airport to the port.

 

But, please let us know which you decide and how it worked out when you get back.

 

Thanks!

 

Facation Fanatic

 

Fantasy - 6/02 Bahamas

Fantasy - 12/02 Bahamas

Victory - 9/03 NE/Canada

Sovereign of the Seas - 1/04 Bahamas

 

Sovereign of the Seas

 

 

Carnival Glory to the Eastern Caribbean

[ChiBearsSuperFan]

We used Basik Shuttle. They picked us up at the bottom of the escalators at the airport and took us to our pre-cruise hotel. Then when we came off the ship with our luggage they were waiting there for us and went straight to the airport. We took a Lincoln Towncar but I know they offer the same service should you decide to go in a van.

 

Carnival Pride - May 2003

Carnival Glory - April 2005

[Guest cruzr44]

We also went the day before. We got to Orlando pretty early so renting a car was what we did. We went to Daytona Beach and then drove down to and stayed in Pt Canaveral. It was nice to have the car there as we went to the store to pick up some water and also to breakfast in the morning. We returned the car and took the Avis shuttle to the port at about 10:30. We opted for the Carnival transfers to get back. We were in the bus and on the road at 9:00am. We may have waited 10 minutes for the bus to fill up and get loaded with all the luggage.

 

Sharon

 

11/30/03 - Radiance OTS

9/28/03 - NCL Majesty

1/25/03 - Carnival Pride

10/6/02 - Enchantment OTS

2/16/01 - Carnival Victory

2/15/98 - Carnival Destiny

 

[Lady_K]

We won't get into Orlando until after 10:00 pm... by the time we find our luggage and check into the hotel, it will probably be at least 11:00. While we'd love to hit Margaritaville or Pat O's, I'm sure we'll be wiped out from traveling and will just crash. So a rental car won't really be needed for sightseeing around town.

 

I'm leaning towards the Carnival transfers at the end of the cruise... still undecided about how to get there though. If anyone else has any helpful suggestions, please keep 'em coming.

 

Thanks for the ideas so far.

[juniperjen]

I am curious: what did you end up doing?

We are in the same situation for our cruise next month.

Thanks,

Jennifer

[dbcruzin]

Personally, I'd take the car rental option and go ahead and make the 1 hour drive to the port and stay there, no matter how late it was. I much prefer to be within shoutin' distance in the morning and not worry about having to get up early to make it on time. Plus, you'll have the car in the morning to do any last minute shopping or to go someplace to eat other than the hotel. We have always rented a car and it has never been a hassle. Have a great cruise!!:D

[punknhead]

When you rent the car, do you park and pay the 70.00, or return it to the company at the port?

 

We have used Happy Limo and have been very pleased with their town service and rates.

 

I am interested in finding the least expesive option as there will only be two in the party flying in.

 

Punk

[davisrb]

We are using Alpha Omega - $30 pp

[dbcruzin]

When you rent the car, do you park and pay the 70.00, or return it to the company at the port?

 

We have used Happy Limo and have been very pleased with their town service and rates.

 

I am interested in finding the least expesive option as there will only be two in the party flying in.

 

Punk

Turn it in at the port. Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National all have offices in the port area. Only National doesn't offer a shuttle over to the port. At the end of the cruise you can have another rental reserved for the trip back or find other means.:)

[Cruise cutie]

Is that round trip? I called Art's Shuttle and they quoted $65.00 one way for 4 of us....I guess I should call back and line him up!!

[CatP27]

I just escorted a group of 37 people on a cruise on the Glory. We used Art's Shuttle for transportation from Orlando Airport to a hotel in Cocoa Beach and from there to the ship. We also had them pick us up from the ship and take us to Downtown Disney, than to the airport. They did a fantastic job and the prices were very good. I did alot of research before choosing a company that I could rely on with low prices. I would recommend Art's Shuttle and will definitely use them in the future.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Sea ya,

Cat

[gsb]

Art's is great! you won't be sorry.

[dsclark]

Why are people so afraid to rent a car? I traveled with four people and there is no way we'd pay $120 just to get to the pier!

I rented a Mercury Sable intermediate sized car from Budget for around $45, tax included. Figure in gas and tolls, It cost us around $55 to get to their Canaveral area dropoff, then the shuttle tooks us to the pier. That's almost $70 saved for just ONE WAY!

On the way back, we got an SUV for $55 and with the $ we saved by not blowing it on a shuttle, we spent a few hours at the space museaum, then drove to the airport.

I think a good rule of thumb is that, if you ever have to drive more than 20 miles, then you should consider renting a car, rather than a cab.Not only can you save $, you can go shopping as well. If you have more than two people, then rent a car.

[davisrb]

Alpha Omega is $30pp round trip. They will pick up at the airport or nearby hotels.

[davisrb]

Alpha Omega just went out of business. There goes my good deal. Suggestions accepted.

[davisrb]

Still searching for a shuttle between Orlando and Port Canaveral on Dec. 25 and return on Jan 1. Our original shuttle ALpha Omega is going out of business. Just called Art's shuttle and he quoted me $150 round trip. Our previous reservation was $120. This is not fun. Thought I was all set.

[NeedstoCruise]

Someone recommended Orlando Shuttle to me. We booked them based on that. Give them a call and compare. 407-522-0100 or 1-800-814-0516

[jimbug]

When I was considering going on the Mariner of the Seas out of Port Canaveral in March, I started researching transportation options from the Orlando airport. I compared prices on just about every shuttle, limo, and cab service I could find. They were all going to cost nearly 4x as much as renting a car from Avis - twice!

 

Avis was around $25 for a 4-dr compact w/ auto transmission each time. Since we'd have the car each way for less than 24 hours, it would be around $50-60 with tax included.

 

Most of the shuttles I was looking at were anywhere from $50-75 ONE WAY. This would be, obviously, $100-150 roundtrip. I don't know what Carnival charges for their transfers, but the car rental seemed to be the best choice.

 

It's also fairly convenient. You can pick up your Avis rental at the Orlando airport, and putt around Orlando Friday night. Saturday morning, you drive your Avis car down to Port Canaveral and drop it off at the Avis location, which is fairly close to the port. They have a free shuttle to the pier.

 

Same goes for the return trip--take the Avis shuttle from port to Canaveral location, then drive to Orlando and return at the airport--relatively hassle-free!

[davisrb]

when I checked car rentals they were about $72 for the day and that was the base price before all the taxes.... Found a town car for $130. I am leaning towards that. I will check the car rentals again. Thanks