SteerageJoe

1 hour ago, lx200gps said:

+1 on Uber, we used it for the first time last month to go from the Renaissance to Terminal 2 at PE. Couldn't be easier.

 

Question for you experienced Uber users: When we disembarked at T2 after our cruise, I wanted to Uber from there to FLL. When I turned the corner and proceeded to the rideshare pickup area, there were a million people crammed around, all staring at their phones trying to find their driver and car. Ubers were double- and tripled parked loading people, blocking traffic and it looked very unnerving. We got scared off by seeing that and grabbed a taxi instead, as there were no lines and taxis are very plentiful. Do you find it easy to find your driver in that pandemonium, I'd really like to try it on our next trip in May? Thanks...

Finding your Uber at a cruise terminal is multiple times easier than fighting a rowdy crowd leaving a rock concert!!! 
 

The App has many features to help connect you with the driver. This is why folks are on their phones comparing location spots. spotlight, lIdentifying the vehicle (color, make, etc) and using msg to communicate with the driver. 
 

It helps to wear something bright like a hat, or move away from the busiest spot to a wall with a number or paint color or something identifying. And it really works best if you study the App and know all its pickup features.

15 hours ago, ClaireA1978 said:

CBE don't operate after 8Pm unfortunately. We will use Uber/Lyft

Another way to save on transfer costs when arriving after dark - overnight near the airport (hotels have free shuttles) then grab a cheap shuttle to PC in the morning. 
 

and the airport hotels are generally cheaper than the beach hotels

Ok, now it makes sense - after hours you will probably not find any cheaper from the usual recommended transport companies.

Uber / Lyft is your best best but try one other company - Cocoa Beach Express. They show really cheap rates $28  - for all shuttles on the website ( and check their Facebook page). These guys are affiliated with the Radisson and other local hotels so I trust them. But it is your call! 
 

Do let us know what they say - this service could be a game changer for folks staying near the Port before a cruise.

5 hours ago, ClaireA1978 said:

Hi can anybody advise how much a taxi is from Airport to Cocoa Beach area or recommend a shuttle (not CB Shuttle as they are quoting $88 per person)

 

Thank you

This seems high for CB Shuttle who is generally one of the cheaper options. Is this an after-hours or off-cruise day booking? Private or shared? 

Generally private vans are per ride, not per person and shared shuttles are per person somewhere in the $20 - $40 range.

Yes, you can. One issue is the walk past all the never ending construction with luggage from your ship to the Trolley. The closest stop is between Terminals D and E. 
 

Look at the Trolley Tracker online to see the live route and then plan your walk accordingly. 
 

The second issue is getting off. The first stop is on the wrong side of busy and wide Biscayne Blvd. Again, more walking with luggage to Bayside.

You can also grab a cab for under $20.
 

39 minutes ago, trctjs said:

Thank you so much for this rec!!! All the other places were totally booked but they were not! Cost more but we now have our own private transportation to and from hotel/port!

Happy Limo is quite expensive. Are you paying upwards of $220 for a one-way private ride? If so, there are other excellent options but I guess it is too late now!

Your group is large so a private van is highly recommended (not a shared shuttle). Best to shop around for the best private rate.

Any of these trusted outfits may have a private van available on your date:

Cruise Control Transport

Cocoa Beach Express

Port to Port Shuttles

Grays

Orlando Port Shuttles

Airport Canaveral

Port Canaveral Connection

Cortrans

Cocoa Beach Shuttle 

Mears Shuttle

Orange Tours and Transportation 

Access Line Transportation 

For example:

Can you please clarify your destination?

Port Canaveral is on a different island. Not Merritt Island. Are you staying in a hotel in Orlando or on Merritt Island (only 2 hotels there) 

Regardless, Uber/Lyft is your best bet unless you stay in an Orlando hotel that's on a shared shuttle service route to the Port.

yes, different company. This is the Park Port Canaveral company.

They started this service around Oct 1 2022 I believe so you will not find many reviews (yet).

Still, this outfit transfers hundreds of people every day to/from Port Canaveral and Park Port Canaveral and several hotels in the area! Many people use them daily without knowing they also offer MCO transfers!

I did not know they offer scheduled departures. Are you sure? The last time I talked to a driver they were an on-demand service. They do try to load several guests if they can but shared or not, the pricing is very reasonable!

Go for it - it is a well-known company around here!

The hotels can be grouped into 3 different views. Needless to say, book the highest floors for unobstructed views of the Port of Miami:

• Across Port – The Intercontinental and YVE look across the access roads and parking garages of Port Miami. One sees the upper structures of most cruise ships at the Port.
• Head-on Port – The Holiday Inn and Gabriel look at the west-facing dock V, dock G, and the turnaround basin. 
• Cruise Ship Docks – The Hilton, Marriott, and Doubletree actually offer full views of the ships at their docks. These 3 hotels get my vote for the best cruise ship views at Port Miami.
   

Here was my view from the Intercontinental 

and from the Doubletree

Hard to suggest a specific shop without knowing where you are driving from. Yes, if you see a Publix they are great.

In Downtown Miami,  CVS has wine, Whole Foods, and Chandi Liquors (they delivered wine to our hotel a few years ago). Find them on the map below. 

22 hours ago, Candleonwater said:

I have a similar situation, but I'm more curious about suggestions for hotels. Didn't think about the fact that I'm sailing during spring break and some of the hotels are ridiculously priced. Can anyone chime in on good places to stay? Is the airport area okay? Just staying the night before our cruise. Had already decided to suck it up and park at the port.

look for hotels away from the beaches. Even if you get a decent rate somewhere you may find yourself in the midst of an all night party - the students know about the “cheap” hotels too!

Miami Airport, Doral, Miami executive airport is further away but decent rates, Hollywood, West Ft Lauderdale, etc!! 

Just a heads up - Budget has the smallest office and they get very busy on cruise days. Best to read the online reviews where folks complain constantly about the wait times for vehicles. 
 

Do consider Avis, National, Alamo or Enterprise in your research! 

You must book the Budget Port Canaveral Shuttle Service CC5 as your start or destination.

it runs on demand. I saw it last week 

For the sake of accuracy and assuming this is done for the adventure and to save money, the Tri-Rail option is this:

shuttle bus from FLL to Tri-Rail

Tri-Rail transfer to MetroRail at the Transfer Station

MetroRail transfer to free MetroMover at Government Center (Brickell Line going south)

Disembark at Riverwalk Station

Walk 2 minutes to the Comfort Inn

This require no Ubers etc. Once you get into Ubers (such as when using Brightline from FLL) you can just as well skip the trains and ride directly to the hotel IMO. 
 

As stated, this is an adventure trip. You will move a lot with your luggage in tow and it’s not for everyone! But doable if not in a rush.

The bus from FLL to Tri-Rail takes about 15 mins. Luggage space is limited and it takes time to load everybody with their bags - so you need more time. 
 

I assume you won’t have checked bags? Even so the slightest delay will cause anxiety for sure! You will have at most 30 minutes from landing to bus in my estimation. 
 

Hopefully you can move fast with your luggage but the train should be easy. There are large luggage racks in some cars but most folks just store under the seats etc. You are not allowed to block the aisle. 

We've used them. Very good and one of the closest to the Port. Fun restaurant too!

I am sure they don't do transport. Maybe rent a car for the afternoon?

Ybor City here they come!!! Fun place!
3 hotels in the area, free trolley to the Port.

I’ve not seen the garage 6 full but you can also park in the surface lot next door. There are many folks directing traffic so you will know where to go. Best to drop your luggage first then park.

Directions - I use Grills Restaurant in Cape Canaveral as my waypoint to the Port. Then I just follow the cruise ship signs as I get closer. The signage is very good. It will tell you what ship, the terminal and where to turn. Then just let the attendants direct you as you approach tterminal 6

There is a minimum taxi rate of $15 for departures from PortMiami so with tip it is not a bad deal for the driver in my opinion to drive from A to F. He/she will probably pick up another ride soon after dropping you.

6 hours ago, sacteach said:

Fair point, but as a solo traveler, I'd honestly rather save some money if I can. $30 compared to $60-$75 which is what I've seen is the average price for a Lyft. But, it could definitely be an option. If I were traveling with someone else, I'd definitely take Lyft/Uber as I'd be splitting the cost. 

Yip, makes sense. My next suggestion is to take the free hotel shuttle back to MCO and take the earliest shared shuttle van you can find.

GoPort departs at 10am or as soon thereafter but with a big bus to fill
Cruise Control has a 9:30am I believe for $25. 
Airport Canaveral shuttle has a 8am for $20 when I last checked on busy cruise days.

There are others too. Most shuttle vans try to fill the van before departure so there can be a 30 min window after the scheduled departure time. Just be aware of that.

14 minutes ago, michelle028 said:

Thanks so much for your help - What is the publix stop? I am trying to match it with the routes that I downloaded from 321transit.com

Cornerstone Plaza!

On the return you hop on across the street at Hendry Av. Just remember the trolley circle is anti-clockwise.

If you book a hotel in Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach, or visiting via cruise ship (terminals 1 and 3), you are never far from the Beach Trolley - Route 9. You do not need a car on the island!

It is a cheap and efficient service to explore the area, visit the beach, shop for groceries and more. 

The official Transit Authority created a great video to show the trolley in action while visiting local hotspots such as Ron Jon’s etc.

16 minutes ago, TSUmom said:

Thank you!  I was not aware of a trolly that would take us to CB pier and DH was hoping to spend some time there.  I just might look at flying in 2 days pre-cruise so we can spend time in CB and check out restaurants near the pier.  

https://321transit.com/route-stops/route9/14/map/0/weekday

most visitors do not know about the trolley. You can even pay with the Token Transit app! 

another option is to rent a bicycle. The area is perfect for cycling on the beach or along the wide sidewalks

Parking at Terminal 1 is fine. Enough room for all. The issue is the parking garage that may fill up at times. Then you simply park in the surface lots as directed by the attendants. 
 

Bring a car cover just in case you have to use the surface lot.