mvanstone Posted January 10, 2011 #1 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Sailing on Freedom in May and having a little difficulty finding a cost-effective transport from Orlando to Port Canaveral. We're staying at a hotel the night before the cruise, and cocoa beach shuttle wants to charge $30 extra to come to the hotel. Rental car looks like a good option, but my girlfriend and I (age 24 and 23) will be forced to pay under 25 charges. From what I've found so far, round-trip ground transportation is going to be in the $150 range. Any suggestions on a cheaper way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nschille04 Posted January 10, 2011 #2 Share Posted January 10, 2011 I'm actually in the same boat and it looks like we are going to have a towncar take us from Orlando to Cocoa beach. Looks like its in the $100-$150 range and a lot nicer than a shuttle. Now we are just trying to pick one. None have stellar reviews Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTO-Girl Posted January 10, 2011 #3 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Sailing on Freedom in May and having a little difficulty finding a cost-effective transport from Orlando to Port Canaveral. We're staying at a hotel the night before the cruise, and cocoa beach shuttle wants to charge $30 extra to come to the hotel. Rental car looks like a good option, but my girlfriend and I (age 24 and 23) will be forced to pay under 25 charges. From what I've found so far, round-trip ground transportation is going to be in the $150 range. Any suggestions on a cheaper way? http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=26606302&postcount=862 Use this link from to find any and all info on the PC area. Shirley and Preston have done a wonderful job of compiling. If you have any questions just ask them......they are the best!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbillybob Posted January 10, 2011 #4 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Have rented a 1 way rental and dropped off in cocoa. Been around $75 if I recall . Hertz and Budget have offices in cocoa and these rental offices have shuttle dropoff to the port terminal. Limos and town cars and shuttle services way too expensive. Plus with rental,you can go out to dinner, do your errands until you have to drop off in cocoa. just my .02. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyG12 Posted January 10, 2011 #5 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Agree with a rental. Even with the under age charges it will still be easier and cheaper to do a rental. Besides, that way you can get your last minute stuff. Are you staying in Orlando or PC? We stayed at the Radisson and ate dinner at Grills .... it was wonderful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvanstone Posted January 10, 2011 Author #6 Share Posted January 10, 2011 thanks for all the suggestions! that was fast! from what i'm reading and researching, the flexibility and price of renting a car looks like the best bet. thanks again everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacation Boy Posted January 10, 2011 #7 Share Posted January 10, 2011 We have used FL Tours several times, and they have always been outstanding. They have several options from one way, round trip, and a 3 way, which takes you from the airport to the hotel, then hotel to the ship, and then ship to the airport after the cruise. They are professional, and stop at a local grocery store for you as well if you want to take anything with you on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bevomom Posted January 10, 2011 #8 Share Posted January 10, 2011 We rented a car. There are enough hotel and car options, that with a little research you can find an agency close to your hotel for the return. The shuttle to the pier was very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finbar127 Posted January 10, 2011 #9 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Try Dollar Rent A Car with promo code oi1054. Also try booking without the code. If you see a red box that reads "special rates for your city" or something to that effect click on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigers2425 Posted January 11, 2011 #10 Share Posted January 11, 2011 thanks for all the suggestions! that was fast! from what i'm reading and researching, the flexibility and price of renting a car looks like the best bet. thanks again everyone! we used avis from orlando to cape canaveral. it was so easy and they then transport you to the pier when you drop your car off. great service! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B J Posted January 12, 2011 #11 Share Posted January 12, 2011 By far the easiest is to rent a car, look on mousesavers.com for car rental discount codes B J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maybaybie10 Posted January 12, 2011 #12 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Sailing on Freedom in May and having a little difficulty finding a cost-effective transport from Orlando to Port Canaveral. We're staying at a hotel the night before the cruise, and cocoa beach shuttle wants to charge $30 extra to come to the hotel. Rental car looks like a good option, but my girlfriend and I (age 24 and 23) will be forced to pay under 25 charges. From what I've found so far, round-trip ground transportation is going to be in the $150 range. Any suggestions on a cheaper way? We are sailing on Freedom on May 8th. What sailing are you on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PH8 Posted January 12, 2011 #13 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Hilton Garden Inn (Orlando) has shuttle service to and from the port....... http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/specials_detail_popup.jhtml?ctyhocn=ORLAHGI&promoId=137850022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvanstone Posted January 12, 2011 Author #14 Share Posted January 12, 2011 We are sailing on Freedom on May 8th. What sailing are you on? We're doing the western caribbean itinerary on the 15th. Found a great deal on a balcony - the price jumped almost $300 in the couple days after we booked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedleann Posted January 12, 2011 #15 Share Posted January 12, 2011 We are sailing on Freedom on May 8th. What sailing are you on? *waves* We will be there with you. And we are in the same boat...no pun intended.....as far as trying to decide how to get from the airport to the hotel and which hotel. I cant decide between the Radisson and Country Inns. Waiting on my parents to see if they are going to rent a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjtt Posted January 12, 2011 #16 Share Posted January 12, 2011 By far the easiest is to rent a car, look on mousesavers.com for car rental discount codes B J Thanks B J for the car rental codes, is there one for hotels? I'm looking into hotels, and transportation for August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanner14 Posted January 12, 2011 #17 Share Posted January 12, 2011 By far the easiest is to rent a car, look on mousesavers.com for car rental discount codes B J We couldn't use these being from the UK but even without the mousesavers codes, Budget was very reasonable. We collected from the Budget desk at Orlando Int'l, used the car for 3 days, drove down to Port Canaveral. Returned the car at Budget's Port Canaveral office and their free shuttle took us and our luggage straight to the ship. On the return journey we just did everything in reverse. Budget's Port Canaveral office is much smaller than their office at Orlando Int'l though so be sure to book your return car at the same time as booking the car from Orlando to Port Canaveral! Really great service and so reasonable - even us Brits could navigate to Port Canaveral (with a little help from SatNav and helpful CC members!) :):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maybaybie10 Posted January 12, 2011 #18 Share Posted January 12, 2011 *waves* We will be there with you. And we are in the same boat...no pun intended.....as far as trying to decide how to get from the airport to the hotel and which hotel. I cant decide between the Radisson and Country Inns. Waiting on my parents to see if they are going to rent a car. ((waving back))) There are a lot of people staying at the CI&S on our roll call too. It's getting close....:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahcd Posted January 12, 2011 #19 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Definitely look online for rental codes - took a one day rental from $75 to $45. Make sure you know what the code is for... If it's an American Express code, you'll have to pay with an Am Ex card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debde Posted January 12, 2011 #20 Share Posted January 12, 2011 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=26606302&postcount=862 Use this link from to find any and all info on the PC area. Shirley and Preston have done a wonderful job of compiling. If you have any questions just ask them......they are the best!!!! OMG that is the greatest post!!I've been going back and forth to that for help with a Freedom cruise I am planning. That so deserves being a sticky!!!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpnfish Posted January 12, 2011 #21 Share Posted January 12, 2011 We are taking the Freedom May 8th and what we always do when we cruise out of Port Canaveral is we stay at a hotel (there are plenty of nice ones) near the Orlando airport that has an airport shuttle, let them take us back tpo the airport the morning of departure, and pick up the Cruise's shuttle there. In other words, we hit the "easy" button. We are on vacation, and I don't want to mess around with rental cars, gassing them up, picking up and turning them in, arranging your shuttle to the port after you turn in the car, etc. if you don't mind paying a little eaxtra for cruise shuttle to port, it is the easiest, most painless way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musik07 Posted January 13, 2011 #22 Share Posted January 13, 2011 we just did coco beach and they didn't charge extra for hotel pick up near MCO for us. And they gave us 10% off for mentioning cruise critic. If they want to charge you extra stay at a hotel with an orlando airport shuttle and take it to the hotel when you get in and the next morning take it back to the airport and ask to be dropped off where the shuttle would pick you up! We stayed at teh Hyatt Place Orlando Airport North and they offer free shuttle to the airport and within 3 miles of the hotel. We made a quick run to Walgreens the morning of the cruise to pick up a new toothbrush and something for my back (i guess i packed to much...) and they were really great about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc50 Posted January 13, 2011 #23 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Hilton Garden Inn (Orlando) has shuttle service to and from the port....... http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/specials_detail_popup.jhtml?ctyhocn=ORLAHGI&promoId=137850022 We're signed up for that in a couple of weeks. Call it a Bon Voyage package and the rates are pretty reasonable. How did this work out for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianm27 Posted January 13, 2011 #24 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Hampton Inn Orlando Airport has a "Bon Voyage" package that includes airport pickup/dropoff, overnight at the hotel, and round trip to Port C. for $169 on the weekend we are cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jz6982 Posted January 13, 2011 #25 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I haven't read all the posts in this thread so I apologize if someone else has mentioned this... but try cruise express. We used them last month for transportation from MCO to Port Canaveral. It's $20 pp. They likely could pick you up from your hotel if you ask. Visit cruisexpressfl dot com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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