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I booked 2 one ways using Costco discount car rental for about 50 each way. That is much cheaper than rcl transfers we did for port Canaveral

I thought of renting a car but decided against it. We just want to be picked up and dropped off. No worries. No hassle about dropping off the car and waiting on a shuttle. I just want someone to come pick us up early at the hotel and bring me directly to the port of Tampa. Although a big part of that was when I was looking into renting a car it was quite expensive to pick up in Orland and drop off in Tampa. So for me it seems to make more sense to let someone else do the driving. We are flying into Orlando but I have booked flights home from Tampa. Still plenty of time. Will let everyone know how I make out. I can say with confidence having used VIP limo in the past I am sure it will all work out fine. :)

Norma,

 

Can I ask how much VIP is charging for the Orlando to Tampa run? We have also used them in the past for PC & they were great. We are doing a land vacation in Orlando this year & it is considerably less to fly into Tampa than MCO, but we don't need a car the whole time.

 

Thanks,

Virginia

Once I have confirmation I could let you know. He offers van or limo so I would think it will differ based on what is chosen. Although if you called Michael I am sure he could give you a quote for the service. We will be in Orlando going to Tampa. Not sure if this will make a difference. It is not his usual run so I feel like he is going above & beyond for us. Not sure if he has to start in Orlando or not. I know when we go out of Miami we always fly into FLL. SAS has to have a starting point in FLL to Miami. You can't hire from a Miami hotel to FLL only from the port and I think only if you started in FLL. Not sure if all companies have to follow the same rule.

Norma

Really nice pictures. May I ask why did you like deck 9 better then deck 10? I am doing the reverse going from deck 9 to deck 10. Would just like your imput. Thank you.

Just an update with my findings. Seems to be too early to get low prices for a rental car. I will try in a few months. I will say I heard back from Michael..VIP Limo and he said that he would make the arrangements for us. This makes me real happy. I can have someone pick us up and drop us off. This may be worth it for me coz it becomes real convenient. I wouldn't have to worry about renting a car and dropping it off. I am all about convenience.

Thank you to all for the good advice. It is really appreciated.

Norma

I did a google search and started contacting shuttle services. I also remembered Michael from VIP limo. I had hired him last year from Orlando airport to port canaveral. So, I called him to see if his company could accommodate me. He actually doesn't normally do the run but would help me out if I need him to. What a great service he has...Anyway, at least I have time. I do appreciate all the help from everyone here. I am going to contact Hertz seems to be the most convenient and see what they say. I am not a Cosco member but I am BJ's, AAA & AARP. Hope one of those services will help with a discount. :eek:

I will keep you all informed with what I find out in case anyone else has the same question..

Norma

We went from Orlando to Tampa with Hertz rental, my husband dropped me and the luggage at the port, looped back to the Marriott hotel to return car and then walked back. He was gone about 25 minutes total. It was very easy. Total price with Costco rate was less than $70 for the 2 of us for a small car.

 

There is also an Alamo location in the Westin Hotel about a mile from the pier. If you drop the car there they will shuttle you to the pier. We picked up there after a cruise and it was very easy and convenient.

Thank you I will try to contact them this week.

Thank you so much. I will start calling to see what I can do this far in advance. I knew I could rent a car. We have used National at the Dolphin in the past. Just wasn't sure where to bring it back to near the port of Tampa. I really just want someone to pick us up and drop us off so I don't have to worry about any of it. Usually we go ahead 1 day and stay close to the port. So this is different for us. Again, to you both thank you.

Norma

You can look at this option, but for the typical family of 4 my guess is that a rental car will work out cheaper and easier.

 

http://www.floridabustickets.net/?gclid=CJG49KXmu7UCFY07OgodVAIALQ

 

Good luck! :)

That actually would have worked. There are only the 2 of us. Just 2 BIG kids... On the site it says it has discontinued the Orlando -Tampa route. Oh well. I guess I am back to the drawing board...

Rental car is your best option; there are rental car locations scattered around WDW - the convenience may be worth paying extra instead of going outside or all the way back to MCO.

 

You might look at renting the car at MCO for your stay in WDW -- sometimes a 2-3 day rental is not much more than a one-day rental.

 

There is a Hertz located within walking distance of the Tampa port if you don't want to mess with a shuttle or taxi from TPA. Good luck! :)

Thank you.. We have the Magical Express to get to Disney. Didn't really want to have a car for the days we are there. Although it may be my best option...So glad I have a little time to plan. I guess I was hoping that there was a shuttle service to do the driving to get us to the port. Sometimes the best made plans don't always work. Other alternative is just going to Tampa. Again, thank you. I appreciate all the responses.

Norma

Has anyone gone from Disneyworld to the port in Tampa? Looking for the best way to get there. We have time to look into this so I thought I would ask here. I would prefer to find a shuttle service or bus transportation. If anyone could recommend or a rental car but when I do a mock booking it seems to be very expensive to rent a car for 1 day to drive from Disney to Tampa. Anyway, we would like to go to Disney for a few days before the cruise so I hope someone has done this and can give me some good advise. Thank you in advance.

Norma

Thank you SO very much. Just the info I was looking for. 13 more days!! Were you in a suite? I've heard wonderful things about Anoop but was wondering if you had info about the butlers.

 

Thanks!

Yes we were in a suite. We were in the Haven 16025. I will try to answer any question you may have.

Wow...we had a different captains he 19th-26th. Guess the switchover happened in Miami on Saturday the 26th.

Possibly. My understanding is there are 2 captains that rotate. Frank ? & Sverre Sovdsnes. Not sure when they switch over. Anyway Sverre Sovdsnes was great.

Just returned from my EPIC vacation. Here is the list I have put together. Hope it helps as I know I always like to know this info before we travel..

Captain : Sverre Sovdsnes (sp)

Hotel Director : Kaj Turunen

Assistant Hotel Director: Carolina Clavijo

Concierge : Anoop Bhanu

Assistant Concierge: Elvina (sp)

Cruise Director : Ken Mills

Assistant Cruise Director: Simon ?

Casino Host :

Chief Engineer :

Food & Beverage : Mustafa Gulbahar

Restaurant Manager : Deepak Gonsalves

Beverage Manager : Norman Anderson

Group Services Coordinator : El ( sorry I didn't write her name down but she was awesome)

Executive Chef : Charles Fernandes

Executive Housekeeper: Marites Sonza

Guest Service Manager: Joe Boyle

Butlers : Rogin, Armando, Jonathan, Maxi, plus a few more...

Hope this helps anyone going on the Epic..Some of the people will be leaving for their vacations. Some will be going over to the Breakaway.

Norma

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Great idea for 2013 as I was following the old thread. Leaving this weekend on the Epic. Will report when we get back.

Thank you so much for taking the time to post your review and the wonderful pictures. These pictures are awsome. I will keep coming back to this thread to make my time pass until January. I also appreciate you taking the time to post the Epic menus. I have read & reread them several times already. Can anyone tell I am anxious to get on the ship?? :D

Thank you for sharing these menus. These are the ones you can never find even when doing a search. Looks like breakfast & lunch are pretty much the same as other ships have in Cagney's. That's great!!! Can't wait for my crabcakes benedict, frittata & fruiti de mer. YUM! No No not all at once. Also, glad to see what is offered for the dinner menu. Actually looks good. Getting hungry already and have to wait anoth 130+ days. UGH!

Thank you so much for sharing and making me miss my favorite ship the SUN. We will be on her again in January and can not wait. I followed your week away and I must say your pictures are wonderful. I feel like I was traveling with you.

On the coffee - since I have no idea about these machines - do they also have espresso pods?

 

Any input is appreciated as DH & I LOVE coffee/espresso and, if they do not supply these, I'll try to order some before we go on the Gem.

 

Thanks so much!

 

(Gosh, I haven't been this excited for a cruise in the longest time!!!) :D

They had the expresso pods the last 2 times we cruised on the Dawn. Ask and you shall receive. :D

Thanx mousecrazy. Anyone know about the AC (aft) or AB (fwd). Trying to get all my information ahead of time. Really want to know the updates. Also, do the still have soda & water (no charge) available in an AB? It has been a few years since we have been on the SUN and would like to see what has been updated. Pictures would be fantastic. Thanx

There has got to be someone who is recently back from a cruise on the SUN. Anyone???

I am also hoping to see pics of the updates. Would like to know if they updated the coffee pot with the Lavazza or similar coffee pot. Wondering about the TV and also did they go from 2 beds to be put together to 1 queen bed. Anyone??

We have 9076 the 29th of January. Will take aft(er) shots.....

Could you possibly post some after pictures. Going back on the Sun in January and would love to see the updates. Thanx

I love the Sun. We had 0265 both times on this ship. The outdoor cafe never bothered us. I always prefer higher up decks. The balcony well you've heard is too die for. There is also a whirlpool tub in the bathroom... You will definatley enjoy whichever suite you choose. Expect to be pampered.

Does anyone have an opinion on cayo beach escape vs the Resort? I am sure the 2 are different anyone who has been to both or comments about either would be very helpful.

Thank you