SteerageJoe

Other than rideshare:

First Choice -Airport, Disney, Universal, Kissimmee, SeaWorld, International Drive and Buena Vista hotels

Tropicana Transport (Port Canaveral Shuttle Service) – Airport, Disney, Universal, Kissimmee, SeaWorld, International Drive and Buena Vista hotels

Port Canaveral Quick Shuttle – Airport, Disney and International Drive hotels

Orlando Express Shuttle – Airport, Disney, Universal, Kissimmee, SeaWorld and International Drive hotels

There are two new places on the water near Rusty's - Junkanoo and Gators.

The Cocoa Beach pier was mentioned.

There is also Island Time (near Florida's Seafood) thats very popular with locals. Its a marina with large restaurant/bars.

We also like The Island a bit further west just over the bridge.

Further south, Squid Lips is right on the water.

Not knowing your budget and needs, tough to recommend a hotel but since you may be looking for hotel parking in June, here is a comparison matrix:

Best is obviously a private service of some kind - Limo, Private car/van, Rental Car, Uber/Lyft

Cheapest depend on how many people.  A rental car can actually be cheapest at times. With enough passengers even a private ride can be comparable in cost to shared rides.

Shared rides are popular because those are generally cheaper and worry-free (as long as they show up on time)

Here is a list of popular shared transportation companies:

Here is a list of new or fairly new properties that "may" fit a $250 budget:

Fairfield Inn Las Olas

Comfort Suites Dania Beach

Wyndham Garden Dania Beach

Tryp by Wyndham

Home2Suites Airport

Deco

I agree with John - no need to change if you are willing to walk 0.8 miles to the strip mall? Daytime is fine but the walk will be dark after sunset.

Airpark Plaza Info

There is nothing else in the area however, so if you want to explore then I agree with the other suggestion - Brickell or even Downtown.

Since you're arriving the day before, a rental car will be most convenient. Pick any of the ones listed on the map below.

Then consider a hotel with free parking during your stay end drop tghe car on the morning of your cruise:

All the cruise hotels have pools! What is your budget?

Here is a comparison of parking costs:

One more discount idea - check if your work company is a corporate member of https://www.ticketsatwork.com/tickets/

One can get decent discounts that way but unfortunately your employer has to be a member!

One more suggestion - there is a new kiosk at Cocoa Beach Pier operated by Westgate in partnership with Tickets2You. They have several young sales guys/ladies trying to sell me discounts every time I walk by! 

I hear folks are getting some discounts for Disney and KSC - give them a look. 

https://www.tickets2you.com/

I have a season pass so I am not familiar with one-day discounts other than sending you to my goto site for family/friends when they ask me the same questions:

https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/ticket-calculator-disney-world-ticket-discounts#

About which park?  Nowadays we spend much more time at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios because of the new attractions there. The problem is you cannot rope-drop and you won't get fast-passes I am sure for any of the top rides.

That's one of your dillemas.

EPCOT has many areas closed off. Went there last week and won't return for a few months until new changes are in place IMO. But if you won't see it for a long time then it is still a great place to go next week.

35 minutes ago, kstrittm said:

Uber and Lyft may indeed be less expensive, but I don't feel safe using them.  The drivers are not bonded - they only have to show a valid drivers' license and proof that their auto is insured (don't even have to have medical coverage for victims in case of an accident).  I've seen too many of these drivers lost and confused (looking at their phones while driving).  I'm not saying that shuttle drivers are better behind the wheel, but at least their company will cover insurance issues.  Lyft and Uber deny all plausibility and will not get involved in the event of an accident.

 

I was surprised to see Super Shuttle as well.  The driver said he's heard rumors that they may shut down, but he hasn't heard anything official yet.

I respectfully disagree. And you ended up in a bad situation because of your reluctance to use rideshare. Chances are nearly 100% your rideshare experience would've been MUCH MORE positive.

I am not a lawyer and rideshare issues depend on States and Cities and Counties but in general, 

If the accident occurs during the course of your trip and your ride-sharing driver is at fault, you are covered under a $1 million liability policy that Uber and Lyft have through James River Insurance. You can also contact a lawyer who specialize in rideshare accidents and you will get all the help you need. If someone else was at fault - well, then we know what to do, right?

You also have the benefit of evaluations. Each driver get evaluated by every passenger. You do not get that with drivers from transport companies!

And so on - these rideshare companies have been in business for a long time now and the issues you mentioned are well-understood by the legal community, the drivers and the riders.

You will be just fine using Rideshare!

Here are all the off-site parking options with sample pricing for a 7 night cruise

To the OP, if you tell us your hotel name/location then I can help you find a place to shop!

As for sodas in carryon bags - on our last Carnival cruise it was 12 cans or cartons PER PERSON. I believe RCL limits are PER STATEROOM (bottles OK). Norwegian - NOTHING!

My family stayed there last year. They liked it. We ate at Casablanca (one of three restaurants in the Grand Retail Center attached to the hotel). It was good with beautiful water views.

We rode the free Metromover (Adrienne Arsht station is just a block away) to Downtown and back!

One of their rooms had a Port view!

I's say go for it! Good location near the Port and ship shuttle services too!

On 1/15/2020 at 5:44 AM, illiniwahoo said:

I've been researching shuttle companies. We are taking Cortrans to the port since the pick up directly from our hotel, and the pictures online show smaller vehicles than GoPort so I'm hoping there will be less stops.  (I know this is an assumption).

On the way back, however, I'm having trouble deciding what service to use. We are picking up a rental car, so no strict time deadline to be at MCO. GoPort seems to just put you on the next available bus, and when it's full, it leaves. Cortrans give you a shuttle time. This seems a little more stressful - trying to guess how much time it takes to get through customs and immigration so we won't miss the shuttle.  But I have heard other posting referencing long lines for GoPort (although they all refer to "hearing" goport had long lines, not a first hand experience).

Anybody use either of these services that can share their experiences on the transport to MCO? (or have a better shared ride shuttle to recommend?)

Is renting a car from Port Canaveral instead of MCO not an option for you? Then you do not have to deal with shared shuttles!

We arrived at California Grill just before 5pm yesterday (Wednesday).

Check-in is a counter (2 staff members) on the 2nd floor between the elevator and escalators. There were about 30 folks in line  (after checkin ) waiting for the ride up to the restaurant level.

Those who arrived soon after (without reservations) were told not to worry, there are several tables in the restaurant available!  That was the good news! One could just show up with a ressie and get seated!

The bad news - the lounge/bar are was closed for a private function! We were planning drinks at the bar (and not a grand dinner) so we decided to try again in the coming week or so.

At least this time of year, if you arrive early around 5pm, it seems reservations are not needed!  

16 hours ago, kelship said:

Hi all. I've never cruised out of Port Canaveral before. Is there a free parking option? (3 of 4 in my party are driving)

Also, I'm flying in the night before. Any hotel suggestions? Cruising in April, if that matters. Not sure if it'll be just me or all 4 of us yet.

FREE parking near Port Canaveral is available - just choose a hotel in Cocoa Beach with a cruise package as shown in this image!

Some tips:

Check/compare the regular room rate with the package rate. Mostly it will differ by $40 or so which is really the return Port transfers for 2 (in most cases) at about $8 per person each way. Parking is free. 

With 3 or 4 persons on one package plan, you can avoid extra charges by dropping them first at the Port then return to the hotel to park and catch the shuttle.

23 minutes ago, BlueHerons said:

Joe, we will be up there a week from today so if you find out, please let me know or email me at Jo Jo Siesta Key at g mail dot com.

 

Thanks!

We're planning to go this Wednesday - will let you know if we made it to California Grill!

3 hours ago, jcool said:

Can someone tell me about parking in Miami cruise port? How do I find parking? And does anyone know about Lot #2? Also how do I drop off my bags? 

Lot #2 is an open-surface lot across the road from Terminal E. See picture below on the left.

You can also see the lot in this video: 

Parking at PortMiami Terminals 

California Grill is not an option unfortunately (unless a Sunday?). It opens at 5pm and the OP flight is at 8:30 pm.

Last year I checked in at the reception (no reservation) on the 2nd floor and they called up and found us a table in the lounge. I do not think they allow "walk-ins" just to have a drink at the bar for example. Will check it out soon!

3 minutes ago, Stonymtncruiser said:

 We are thinking of doing a cruise that ends in Cape Canaveral and then catching another cruise out of MIA that starts on the same day. Question to all, is this doable and what are our options? 

 Do not really want to fly BTW. 

Absolutely possible!  Rental car is easiest. Here are the companies represented at Port Canaveral (free shuttles from Port to offices).

In Miami, you can drop at the Airport or Downtown - which area depends on the company you picked and your tolerance for smaller branch offices with perhaps longer lines for shuttles to PortMiami.

In Downtown, Hertz, Budget and AVIS will shuttle you to the Port. 

• AVIS – Book Port Of Miami Shuttle For Cruise Ships, Q8M
• Hertz – Book Miami – Port of Miami, 229 Southeast 2nd Street
• Budget – Book Port Miami Cruiseship Shuttle (P2F)

Airport Location

Alamo, Enterprise, National, Dollar and Thrifty rental car offices are located in the same building at Miami Airport! Once you return the vehicle, you will be directed to their Port of Miami Shuttle van just outside the door. Sometimes the wait can be as long as 45 minutes depending on traffic.

You must book the Miami Cruise Ship location (National – MIA/Dollar – MIAP01/Thrifty – PM4), as the return location and return the vehicle to the Alamo, Enterprise, National, Dollar or Thrifty rental counter at 3900 NW 25th Street (Miami Airport location) .

I like Drive Shack just south of the airport - they have 3 or 4 golf games in a fun setting with drinks etc.

Then there is Machine Gun America where you get to shoot really big guns - AK47's etc!

You can park free at ICON Park at International drive and plan things along IDrive from there. There are so much to do!

You can park free at Disney Springs and just explore around Disney using free boats and buses - later in the day you can do a Monorail PubCrawl 

There are many breweries in Orlando http://centralfloridaaletrail.com/

12 minutes ago, CSloan said:

Has anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise/Airport?  Any opinions on this place? It seems moderately priced.

 

They say they have a 24-hour airport shuttle, and are in walking distance to the port (or a port shuttle for a fee).  

 

We'll be arriving late night on 4/10/20 at about 1230am, and getting on the Sky Princess the next day.  I'm wondering what they mean by "walking distance" to the port.

 

Thanks, 

Cathy

Stayed there a few times with no issues except for slow elevators near the entrance!

Assuming you have very light luggage, you could walk to terminals 2 and 4 on a nice morning but I highly recommend Uber, etc.

The Holiday Inn outsource the port shuttle service to a local company ($8 a person)

16 hours ago, BlueHerons said:

Do not stay on Cypress Creek Road.  It is sketchy as hell and will take forever to get to the port.  It isn't convenient to anything but Cypress Creek Road.

 

Marina Mile also has really dismal hotels.  Avoid Rodeway Inn, Red Roof or Red Carpet or whatever it is and Candlewood Suites.  

 

That Southland Shopping Center is GROSS.

 

On your list, the areas in this order:

 

Las Olas Boulevard (three new hotels have opened in the past six months_)

17th Street

Plantation/Sawgrass

 

I like the hotels out by the TriRail Stop and Bass Pro Shop but that area is a little depressing and not where I'd want to start my vacation.

I stayed at the hotels around the Southland Shopping Center numerous times. Never had any issues whatsoever. Saved a lot of money over the years. 

I stand by my suggestion to consider hotels such as the Hampton Inn next to Southland Shopping Center. Not all of us want to spend $400+ a night for lodging before a cruise. A weeklong vacation hotel choice is one thing. A decent/safe/affordable place to sleep close to the port before a cruise is another.

Tripadvisor agrees with me - 2400 reviewers rate the Hampton Inn 4.5 out of 5 stars. Read here. Many call it the PERFECT cruise hotel!

While there, also read the reviews for the EXCELLENT Mini Pita in the same shopping center - Check it out.

And that's all I have to say about that....