jeep rentals at pier

[lori A.]

We will be in Aruba in December and are wanting to rent a jeep to do our own tour of the island and beach stops. Does anyone know if there are rental agencies at the pier, and if you have used them, would you use them again? Do they have a time set that you have to return them (our ship is in port until 1 a.m.) or do they have to be returned to the airport? Any information and experiences that you would like to share would be most appreciated. Lori

[pholter]

Lori-

 

I'm waiting for some email responses back on the same topic. It will be cheaper to book in advance and pick up at the pier from the pricing I've seen so far. It's roughly $80 walking off the ship, but $55-$70 booking a 4 x 4 of any kind in advance. My first response uses Super Car Rental at the pier and suggests a Geo Tracker 4 x 4 with a soft top for $65. This price is with advance booking.

[agold1176]

My husband and I have rented twice in Aruba coming right off of the ship. We never paid more than $50 for a 4x4. I would certainly recommend it. You can see alot more!

We never reserved in advance. There is a whole bunch of companies right at the pier and they vie for your business so you get good deals.

[pholter]

Thank you agold1176..... I'll definitely consider waiting to get a better deal... All I've heard so far on this POC board is $80 and from some online agencies, too. Do you remember which companies you've used in the past so I can look for them?? That would be great to save some $$$$ and have some lunch and a rental... :)

[lori A.]

agold1176-

Do you remember if these 4x4's they had at the pier were covered and had a/c, or were they open? Were you able to return them to the pier or did you have to return at the airport and catch a cab back to the ship? I am also wondering if they seat 4. Lori

[agold1176]

The 4x4's were covered and had A/C available. They definitely seat 4 because we were a group of 4 and we all fit. We returned the 4x4 to the pier around 7 or so and spent the rest of the time wandering around the shops, casinos and bars by the piers. I remember using Super Car Rental and one other company but can't think of the name. Just make sure you get off the ship as early as possible to ensure the best selection.

[lori A.]

Thank you so much for the info. I will check with the rest of our party and see if they are comfortable with waiting until we get to the pier to rent. It makes sense that they will barter a little when several companies are there vying for your business. Lori

[jmore66213]

Hi, we rented a jeep at the port a few weeks ago. There were lots of jeeps and cars available. I could see them bringing them all over to the lot at the pier, while I was sitting on my balcony. (ohhh, wish I was still there sitting on my balcony!!)

 

The going price for a 4wd jeep was $60.00. This was for a covered, air conditioned jeep that fit 4. Jeeps needed to be returned to the pier at 6pm.

 

I would like to say a big Thank you to RK and Biedjma of Royal Car Rental. We had some problems with the car rental and they took very quick action to correct things.

 

I have to also recommend American Car rental. We left our camera in the glove box, (remembered it after they put the cars away, but thankfully before we sailed away!) They went and got our camera for us.

[Host CJSKIDS]

I emailed both American Car Rental and Royal Car rental and they both e mailed me back that the price for a jeep was $85, which I thought was high considering I wanted to book ahead of time. Anybody know any other rental agencies at the pier or should I simply wait and try for a jeep when we get there? I do see that the Carnival Destiny is in port the same day as us (Golden Princess) so that will add to the crowds.

[tccgirl]

i also emailed American car rental and they said it was $85...should i just take the chance a rent when we get there, or just pay the extra money to be sure we get a jeep.

[jmore66213]

We rented at the pier. American was 60$ for the day. All the companies were 60$ because we asked around to see if we could get a better deal. You can go on here http://www.arubabycruise.com/stats/ to see how many ships are in port the same time as you. The destiny was the only ship in port that day, and we had no problem going about an hour or 2 after the ship docked.

 

This was just our experience, hopefully it will be the same for you. We had thought about renting beforehand, but figured, it would be the last port we went to, and wanted to have some flexibility in case we changed our minds on what we wanted to do. It worked out great for us.

[mringenoldus]

I just rented an a/c Wrangler from American and they sent the confirmation with a $90 quote. I was surprised because the website had indicated $65. I have written for an explanation. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[pholter]

From the quotes I've been getting online, $90 is really high unless they are planning a rate increase. The Suzuki Jimney's are running anywhere from $55 - $70 and they are also 4 x 4's. If you're reserving online, make sure you are also getting a soft top jeep if you're gonna pay those kind of prices. I've noticed you can get jeeps cheaper, but they are hard tops and standard transmission. Automatic seems to run more. I'm hoping that we can get a deal at the pier, but I'm still considering renting the Jimney in advance. There are alot of rental companies that also do pick up and drop offs even if their office isn't located at the pier.

[Host CJSKIDS]

I just rented an a/c Wrangler from American and they sent the confirmation with a $90 quote. I was surprised because the website had indicated $65. I have written for an explanation. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

Here is the response that I got back from American when I questioned them about the exact same thing. Interesting explanation!

 

 

Dear Smith,

 

The cruise have other prices,it's not the same .

The time by the cruise start at .7.00am untill 6.00pm.

By the cruise terminal are the prices higher.

 

Kind regards,

Aarti

[H20]

Hello Would you please let us know what the names are of the rental car companies other than American and Super Car Rental, which both have "offices" at the cruise terminal, that will indeed offer pick-up AND drop-off at the cruise pier?

 

ALSO, is a 4WD vehicle REALLY necessary to get around Aruba and see the major tourist sights (Alto Vista Chapel, natural bridge, Malmok beach)? OR would a regular "car", which is much cheaper, work just as well? Are the roads there THAT bad? We'd like to see the windy side of the island with the "moon rocks" and rough seas. But we're not planning on playing in sand dunes.

 

Opinions/past experiences would be much appreciated. Thank you!

[pholter]

http://enjoyaruba.com/carrentals/index.htm This is the site that I used to find out information. If I remember correctly, Caribbean Car Rentals was the cheapest. I cannot tell you for sure which ones offered pick up and drop off either- please try their websites; they will usually say on them.

 

From what I understand, you need a jeep to really enjoy the "other" side of the island and drive on the beaches there. Otherwise, a car is just fine for you.

[mringenoldus]

After a number of emails with responses similar to the "smith" reply, I ended up with a Geo Tracker for $65. It has airconditioning. I still think it's odd that the people walking off the ship to rent may pay less.

[pholter]

After a number of emails with responses similar to the "smith" reply, I ended up with a Geo Tracker for $65. It has airconditioning. I still think it's odd that the people walking off the ship to rent may pay less.

Do you recall which company you decided to go with?? My email went down when SP2 installed last week and I don't have access to any of my previous correspondence to the companies I contacted. I still think it might have been Advantage sending me to SuperCar Rentals for $65 Tracker as well.

[mringenoldus]

I ended up staying with American Car Rental. It appears to be the same price as Super Car. Sorry about your computer - good luck, hope you find a great deal on a jeep!

[tccgirl]

i also got the same $85 response form American Car rental. I held one anyway and if i find a cheaper jeep, i'll just cancel with them. They said they would give the jeep away after 9 anyway. We are the only ship docking in aruba that day.

 

AOS 9/5/04

[Kelfly]

I sent an e-mail to American Car Rental about a week ago looking for a quote, etc. to book a jeep. I haven't had a reply yet. How long did it take you to hear anything back initially?

[signman]

Roads, ROADS, There ain't no roads up to Natural Bridge and Alto Vista. You definitely need a 4x4

[Kelfly]

I just heard back from American Car Rental for the first week of December (3 months away!) and they said they have no availability of 4x4's then ?? Guess now I am worried and will try to book in advance in case we can't get anything by just walking off the ship. We called Super Car rental, and he took our first and last name and said he'd have one for us, but didn't take down any other information, and didn't have a confirmation #. I tried to e-mail Super Car Rental, but the e-mails come back as undeliverable. Any one had experience reserving with them ahead of time, and how did everything work out? We've been planning for months to rent a 4x4 in Aruba, and I really want it all confirmed ahead of time, but I'm running out of options. I can't locate any others with web-sites that have pick up and drop off at the terminal when we'll be there. Thanks.

[Jodyflower]

I highly recommend More 4 Less jeep rentals. They will provide transportation to and from your destination (airport, cruise terminal). They were great to deal with and very reasonable and we were able to rent same day without a reservation. Have fun!

[twocats]

I hope all these people who have finished their cruises will write back in and let us know how it all went. It will help those of us still waiting for our cruises. :D