Port Canaveral Hotel - shuttle/rental car

[familycruzinnewbie]

We (me, hubby and two teens) are going to Universal for a few days pre-cruise and were considering either staying there until embarkation morning or leaving the morning before and exploring/shopping for the day and staying closer to the port. If we do that latter what are your suggestions for hotels and rental cars We would probably just get a rental car the day we check out of Orlando and return it the next morning near the pier. Thanks

[Clarea]

There are many rental car agencies with offices near the port:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46477988&postcount=5

 

We've used Residence Inn in Port Canaveral several times. The Hertz office is walking distance from that hotel.

[familycruzinnewbie]

We are spending the night post cruise. I think we will rent a car and drive to Orlando for some shopping and then to the airport the next morning. So just looking for a convenient hotel to airport and shopping (free parking, pool, possible free breakfast)

[E&B]

We prefer to spend the night near the port before the cruise. I've heard an accident on the one road going from Orlando to Cape Canaveral can shut it down for a while and we just don't want that stress. Plus, we just like hanging out in Cape Canaveral pre-cruise. We like the Residence Inn, but there are many hotels in the area. We also rent a car to give us freedom to explore the area the day and evening before. All the major rental companies have offices near the port and shuttles to get you to the ship once you return the rental. Just be sure you search for "Cape Canaveral" as the drop-off location.

 

 

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[Clarea]

We are spending the night post cruise. I think we will rent a car and drive to Orlando for some shopping and then to the airport the next morning. So just looking for a convenient hotel to airport and shopping (free parking, pool, possible free breakfast)

We've stayed at the Springhill Suites in Lake Nona. Nice hotel, only a couple of miles from the airport, free parking, free breakfast, and free airport shuttle.

[Teeara]

We are staying a few days in Orlando prior to our cruise in 2 weeks. We are renting a car from Alamo at MCO. Driving to PC the day before the cruise to do Kennedy Space Center then spending the night at Country Inn & Suites. It is about 1.5 miles from where the Alamo drop off is which is very close to the cruise port (we are sailing RCI). Much less stressful to already be in the area on embarkation day. Plus, if you are in the area the day before, you can watch that day's ships leave port!

Edited April 8, 2016 by Teeara

[familycruzinnewbie]

I still haven't arranged this yet. Did any of you get deals for picking up car in Port Canaveral and returning to Orlando airport the next morning?

[JohninDC]

Usually no drop fees for one-way rentals in FLA, :D but you may not qualify for the lowest rate. :(

 

Car rental rates fluctuate like airfare - book something now that you can cancel without penalty and then keep shopping. Check AAA, Costco and other discounts, and sometimes discount codes show up on some of the WDW boards.