Which airport to use?

[linkerbink]

We will be cruising out of Port Canaveral next summer, flying in a day early from Pennsylvania. I guess MCO is closer to the port but we are tempted by the crazy low rates on Allegiant to Sanford out of Allentown. What are some recommendations re: where to stay (area/hotel), transportation to/from port, etc? We have cruised from Miami before but never from Port Canaveral. Any and all suggestions/recommendations are welcomed. Thanks in advance!

[skrufy]

46 minutes ago, linkerbink said:

We will be cruising out of Port Canaveral next summer, flying in a day early from Pennsylvania. I guess MCO is closer to the port but we are tempted by the crazy low rates on Allegiant to Sanford out of Allentown. What are some recommendations re: where to stay (area/hotel), transportation to/from port, etc? We have cruised from Miami before but never from Port Canaveral. Any and all suggestions/recommendations are welcomed. Thanks in advance!

Sanford is a nice small airport, have flown in and out on numerous occasions. Not much of a hotel choice right by the airport, there’s a Marriot in Heathrow a few miles away.  PC is about 60 miles from Sanford. Transportation will cost you quite a bit. There’s bus service for $30.00pp and Sanford Shuttle Service for $60.00pp round trip. 

[linkerbink]

So would you recommend MCO? I know it’s still quite a distance from the port. Don’t know if there is a tradeoff between airfare vs. ground transportation. Good thing we have. a year to figure this out.

[BoozinCroozin]

Only you would know the flight differences. There may be less shuttle/ride options from Sanford. MCO is closer (I think) with a straight toll way shoot out to the port. MCO area hotels are generally cheaper than PC. You can get a hotel and shuttle service to PC for the same price as a hotel alone in PC. You'd still have to pay a shuttle fee to get to that hotel. 

 

It all really comes down to what the whole purpose is. I know Alegiant only flies every 2-3 days from my airport. If there is an issue, then you are stuck 2-3 days until they can resolve it. In the end, if you are saving $100 going to Sanford, that put a PC hotel and Shuttle at the same price as MCO. Anything above that in savings is even more money saved.

[linkerbink]

Yes, the Allegiant flight schedule is weird. The more I look at this issue, it looks like going right into MCO is. the best option. To me, less hassle is worth a little extra cost! Thanks so much for your insights!

[skrufy]

1 hour ago, linkerbink said:

So would you recommend MCO? I know it’s still quite a distance from the port. Don’t know if there is a tradeoff between airfare vs. ground transportation. Good thing we have. a year to figure this out.

I’d choose MCO, more hotel. choices near MCO and PC. Also more transportation choices at a cheaper rate. Go Port Canaveral is used by many cruisers. It’s a 45 mile ride to PC.

[linkerbink]

Thank you all…MCO it is!

[thinfool]

48 minutes ago, linkerbink said:

Thank you all…MCO it is!

Too bad, MLB is the closest and the best, IMO.

[EatonDoolittle]

4 hours ago, thinfool said:

Too bad, MLB is the closest and the best, IMO.

 

Agree.

I have seen people on here say the drive time to the port is the same as Orlando, but they must be driving a golf cart. A straight shot north on US1 then A1A, a half hour tops. 

 

Also, Alligiant has a nonstop Pittsburg to Melbourne - tho I am not sure where Lehigh Valley is in PA.

[linkerbink]

1 hour ago, EatonDoolittle said:

 

Agree.

I have seen people on here say the drive time to the port is the same as Orlando, but they must be driving a golf cart. A straight shot north on US1 then A1A, a half hour tops. 

 

Also, Alligiant has a nonstop Pittsburg to Melbourne - tho I am not sure where Lehigh Valley is in PA.

The Lehigh Valley is near Allentown, about 50 miles north of Philly and quite a drive from Pittsburgh.

[BoozinCroozin]

I choose MCO because there are options in case of canceled flights on main carriers. They have options to get you on standby with other carriers. If the worst happens and have to wait a day, there are 100s of hotels. 

[EatonDoolittle]

Agree that MCO certainly has more air and lodging choices.

The MLB option should be at least mentioned, as it does work very well for some. 

 

If a tertiary airport/airline is being looked at, is sure beats the Sanford option for getting to Port Canaveral. 

[KeepCalmBearOn]

20 hours ago, linkerbink said:

The Lehigh Valley is near Allentown, about 50 miles north of Philly and quite a drive from Pittsburgh.

 

"What was the word you've just said, Allentown? I'm offering you a chance to star in the biggest musical Broadway's seen in twenty years and you say: "Allentown?"

 

Sorry, I digress....  I would use Orlando over Sanford or Melbourne for lots of reasons. If you arrive early in the day I'd transport to Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach and stay the night there. After 7PM or so I'd stay near MCO.

[MississippiMom]

On 10/10/2021 at 10:52 AM, EatonDoolittle said:

Agree that MCO certainly has more air and lodging choices.

The MLB option should be at least mentioned, as it does work very well for some. 

 

If a tertiary airport/airline is being looked at, is sure beats the Sanford option for getting to Port Canaveral. 

Looks like Delta, not a tertiary airline, has several flights from/to MLB/ATL.  Very promising for  those of us who wind up having to go through ATL anyway.