Orlando to Pt. Canaveral????

[mulvihill]

Can anyone give us some advise about how to get to Pt. Canaveral port from Orlando airport without spending a small fortune? Is there a good place to stay in Pt. Canaveral as we usually arrive a day ahead, or should we stay in Orlando?

 

Any suggestions will be appreciated. We are thinking of going on the Glory next Feb. and are trying to see if the additional cost to flying into Orlando then having to get to the coast is worth the effort.

 

For people that have done this is there a particular airline you were able to get a cheaper air fare?

 

Sorry for all the questions ... this is the first time from this port.

 

Thanks

 

Anne

[loveJake]

You will get more replies if you poston the Florida departure section.

 

We have cruised out of Port Canaveral 8 times with #9 coming up in September, so I am familiar with the port. For us airfare is cheap, we fly Southwest either out of Baltimore or Philidelphia, both are the same distance for us. We have had flights, without taxes, as low as $49 each way per person, the average is around $59. I just purchased our airfare yesterday and the cost was $64, with the price of fuel I did not think

that was bad.

The cheapest way to the port from the airport is to rent a car and return at the port, do the opposite on the ay back. Our 2 way rental this time is arount $70.

If you are arriving early in the day I would drive to the port and stay there, a lot of hotel options. If you are arriving late I would stay in Orlando. Get a hotel with a shuttle and the next morning use the shuttle back to the airport to pick up the rental. We arrive late and stay at the airport hotel, it cost a bit more, but you cannot beat the convience, cost is $150, I think you can get other hotels for less. Anything else just ask, don't want to ramble too much.

[thinkpink]

a rental car is pretty cheap.. just go to the major chains and inquire about the prices

 

the raddisson is GREAT! on saturdays they have an amazing seafood buffet .. (if you're there then) http://www.radissonportcanaveral.com/

 

some places to eat are:

 

subway :right next door

kelseys: an italian family owned place right next door .. sooo yummy!! http://www.thebeachsideresident.com/kelseys-pizzeria.htm

mcdonalds: across the street

fishlips: GREEEAATT FOOD! waterfront dining http://www.fishlipswaterfront.com/

grills: waterfront dining http://www.visitgrills.com/

rustys: http://www.rustysseafood.com/home.asp

[LisaRhea]

Port Canaveral is SOOOOOOO easy to get to and a wonderful place to stay the night before your cruise. We ALWAYS rent a car and drive to the port. We like the freedom it affords and the car rental companies provide a free shuttle for you to get to the port - this doesn't happen in some ports - Miami car rental companies are not as generous!!!! Before the cost of gasoline went up, it was cheaper, but it may not be so now after you factor in the re-fueling costs.

 

We have stayed at the Radisson, the Doubletree and a Clarion. The Radisson is nice and close, but not our favorite. We LOVE the Doubletree, but it is not as close. It is right on the beach and an easy drive to the car rental place and close to Wal-mart for those left-behind items. There is also a new Marriott very close to the port that I have heard nice things about. As for the Clarion.....YUCK! Research the age of the hotel you want to stay at. This area has some older properties that look nice on the web sites, but the rooms are very old and out-dated.

[EBFURR]

We have sailed out of PC 6 times going way back 1997 (Big Red Boat). The last 5 times we have stayed at the Raddison and we second thinkpink's reccomendation for that hotel. If you are on the north side, you can wakeup & look out your window to see the ships. It is VERY close to the port and they do have a free shuttle which we have never used. Cab fare from the radisson is about $2-3 per person and we like the flexibility to go when we want to and not have to be in a crowd.

 

With regards to transportation from Orlando, it somewhat depends on how many in your group. Last August we had six in our party and I wanted to give them a treat, so I secretly booked a limo with Happy Limo in Orlando, which I heard of on cruise critic. They were SPECTACULAR. I told them on my reservation that we had six people and a lot of luggage & booked a 10 pax limo (around $100). They showed up with a giant stretched Excursion SUV that was super nice. On the way back after the cruise I had booked a 10 pax airport van (around $85) and they came in a nice new stretch limo instead. Both ways we got way more than we asked for. The cost was way less than we would have paid RCL for transfers in a shuttle bus (yuck). We would not have fit in one rental car unless it was a mini van, which was about the same price as the limo. Plus, I did NO driving and we arrived at the Radisson in grand style! If you are interested, just Google Happy Limo Orlando.

[snelsonbrown]

Can anyone give us some advise about how to get to Pt. Canaveral port from Orlando airport without spending a small fortune? Is there a good place to stay in Pt. Canaveral as we usually arrive a day ahead, or should we stay in Orlando?

 

Any suggestions will be appreciated. We are thinking of going on the Glory next Feb. and are trying to see if the additional cost to flying into Orlando then having to get to the coast is worth the effort.

 

For people that have done this is there a particular airline you were able to get a cheaper air fare?

 

Sorry for all the questions ... this is the first time from this port.

 

Thanks

 

Anne

 

Here is a couple of links for information:

ADDRESSES TO MAP QUEST FOR DRIVING TO PORT CANAVERAL

http://www.portcanaveral.org/directions.php

 

IMPORTANT ON EXIT FROM AIRPORT TO PORT

TRAVELERS TO ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (OIA)

As of 6:00am this morning the exit to Orlando airport off the Beachline has changed. Those traveling from the east coast on the Beachline will find the new exit about 1/4 of a mile BEFORE the old exit. The old exit is closed. You no longer go under the bridge and exit to the Orlando Airport. You exit along with the SR 436 Rd exit and bear to left to go to airport. Be sure to pay attention to the new exit signs.

 

 

AIRPORTS CLOSEST TO PORT CANAVERAL

http://www.orlandoairports.net/ ORLANDO, FLORIDA

ADDRESSES TO MAP QUEST FOR DRIVING TO PORT CANAVERAL

http://www.portcanaveral.org/directions.php

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=436720

[NYCKaren]

I will be taking a 4-night cruise to the Bahamas on the Carnival Sensation from May 25-29. We'll be flying from New York to Orlando the day before & staying at the Radisson at Port Canaveral...

 

What's the cheapest way to get 2 people from the Orlando Airport to the Radisson in Port Canaveral? (We're not really interested in renting a car).

 

Once on the cruise, we'll be spending one day in Nassau & one day in Freeport. We've heard that the Atlantis is a must-do in Nassau, but it seems pricey. I've seen other posts about people buying cheap hotel rooms that give free access to the Atlantis.

 

I've also heard that Port Lucaya is great in Freeport..

 

Any & all advice is welcome:)