Princess Transfers Question

[CruisinFinsUp]

Hi, we are booked via Princess precruise at FLL Renaissance on 17th. We have Princess transfers airport to hotel, hotel 2 nites, then Princess transfers from hotel to port FLL.

 

In your experience, WHAT TIME do the princess transfers take you to the pier??

 

I've read that you can board the boat (Star Princess Sunday April 16/06) as early as 11:30 am, yet our paperwork sez later - can anyone explain please?

 

Finally, newbie question: :confused: when folks are posting, they often refer to other cruise X - What does X mean ???

 

Thanks!!

[TrentS]

I can't help you with the Princess transfer question, but personally I would forget those and just grab a taxi. It's MUCH easier and more convenient. The Renaissance on SE 17th Street is literally just across the street from Port Everglades, why wait around and get crammed onto a bus for such a short, inexpensive cab ride???

 

The cruise lines tell you embarkation begins at 1pm, 2pm, or so to cover their butts in case of a delay. Under normal circumstances embarkation begins somewhere between 11am and noon.

 

X is Celebrity Cruise Lines.

[CruisinFinsUp]

Thanks TrentS, The transfers "came with" the hotel booking so I'm trying to figure out which is better - the transfer, or taking our own taxi.

 

We want to get on the ship as early as we can. Can anyone tell me please if there is just one departure time, or if there are many, and at what time for the Princess transfers? I called Princess and got the "I don't know, all that will be in your cruise docs" standard reply.

 

The reason I'm trying to figure all this out so early :o is because we are flying down with 2 small kids, and are trying to decide if we should rent a van (need to reserve early) and carseats for precruise as we have 2 nites there, so I'm trying to get as much info as possible to see how much time we'll actually have, plan our activities and figure out our transportation needs, and see if we can get away without the precruise rental of van and car seats (big $$ on Easter weekend!!!). Post cruise is easy - we'll rent a van and carseats and drive to Orlando for a few days.

 

Thanks!! Again - this board is great - thanks to everyone for all their info!!

[salamicruiser]

It would be better to get a taxi and be independent, otherwise you have to hang around waiting for the masses to board the bus, I won't do Princess all inclusives any more for that reason.

[Riba]

We waited for the transfers from the hotel to the port on one of our cruises. Never, never again......we had to wait outside in the heat to watch our luggage and the bus was packed. We now take a taxi and go when we want to go.