Car Rental and drop off logistics - Port Canaveral

[ixmnrs]

Hello fellow cruisers,

 

We are sailing on the Wonder of the Seas out of Port Canaveral; there are six of us flying into Orlando the day before. Plan was to rent a a car both for the trip there and pick up for the trip back . What is the recommended procedure most people would do? I am travelling with a couple in their 80s.  Would it be best to drop off everyone at the port and then go return the car and shuttle back vs take everyone to car rental place (national/enterprise) and shuttle.  Or forget about the car rental and use a GoPort type service.

Edited July 26, 2023 by ixmnrs

[smokeybandit]

We always rent a car when flying into Orlando. That way we can do a few things the night before/day of.  Then dropping it off at enterprise and taking their shuttle is easy.

Now as for if you should drop off your crew and return the car yourself vs. all six of you dropping off the car, 50/50 on that one.  Though there is an indoor waiting area for the shuttles, so for a couple in their 80s, that may be better than having them fend for themselves for a bit at the port.

[HaveWeMetYet]

You are making it way to complicated. Just get uber or a port shuttle. Now, if you are going to use the car for other things that may be different. 

[irishgal432]

I drop off first then shuttle back to the port.  On the way back I would use the shuttle as traffic can be heavy and there may be a line to get cars.

[Ourusualbeach]

We used Enterprise and it was very easy. 

[S.A.M.J.R.]

My suggestion is to get a hotel near MCO.  Use their free shuttle to get you from the airport to the hotel.  Arrange for private transportation (there are a LOT of them) to get you from the hotel to the port the next day (because you are flying in the day before, right?).  Yes, more expensive, BUT less hassle.

 

If you need a car, based on what you've written, I would drop off the two 80 year olds, luggage, and four others at the pier.  Go return the car with someone else (keeps you company) and catch the shuttle back. 

[alfaeric]

IF you were to rent a car, drop everyone off, then go drop off the car. 
 

But given the number of people, a rental car for 6 plus luggage vs a service to move all in a van- a van may be cheaper. And pretty easy, as you might only need to reserve a service from the port. Some hotels do offer both way transportation even back to MCO. 

[OCSC Mike]

23 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

We used Enterprise and it was very easy. 

 

No 21-hour drive that time I guess.

[Ourusualbeach]

7 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

No 21-hour drive that time I guess.

That was Feb 2021, took my daughter on a 4 day cruise on Indy and came down a couple days early.  One of the few times we have flown. 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

You are making it way to complicated. Just get uber or a port shuttle. Now, if you are going to use the car for other things that may be different. 

It gets expensive with 6 people with luggage. 

[MD_Dan]

2 hours ago, ixmnrs said:

Hello fellow cruisers,

 

We are sailing on the Wonder of the Seas out of Port Canaveral; there are six of us flying into Orlando the day before. Plan was to rent a a car both for the trip there and pick up for the trip back . What is the recommended procedure most people would do? I am traveling with a couple in their 80s.  Would it be best to drop off everyone at the port and then go return the car and shuttle back vs take everyone to car rental place (national/enterprise) and shuttle.  Or forget about the car rental and use a GoPort type service.

I'm assuming all six are going to the Port Canaveral.  For four, I would definitely rent a car (about $100/day)!  But a six passenger car will also be difficult.  It looks like Enterprise has a 7 passenger minivan for $180 per day.  That's exactly what you'd pay for a shuttle.  So I'll revert back to a previous answer.  Stay at a property north of MCO that shuttles pick-up from.  Rent a car for the Orlando part of the trip but return it on the evening before you cruise (so you don't get charged for an extra day).  But on the cruise day, arrange for a shuttle to Port Canaveral.  It will save you the hassle of returning a car before your cruise. 

[vswan]

I have rented a car like this several times. I like having a car so I can go to the beach, restaurant or even grocery store. I would drop off the luggage, and return the car with maybe one other person. I would drop off anyone who is in same cabin together so they could get started checking in. It's also great on the way back if the flights are later in the day. Why hang at the airport all that time.

[sailor05]

I usually drop the luggage off then all of us go do the car return. Much easier to not have all the bags

[SG65CB]

Shuttle is much easier if you don't have to schlep six people AND all their bags onto the shuttle and then off the shuttle. Drop off everyone and all bags at the port then go return the car by yourself. Take shuttle back to port with no bags. 

 

[Ashland]

We had 6 people and after looking at rentals that would accommodate us all and luggage we opted for a private shuttle (Cruise Control) and used them round trip.

 

 

[molly361]

9 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

That was Feb 2021, took my daughter on a 4 day cruise on Indy and came down a couple days early.  One of the few times we have flown. 

I was there!!!

[ixmnrs]

Thank you for all your replies. No horror stories so far so I think the plan is set then. Flying in day before in Orlando and late flight on disembarkation day means I will have use of the car makes more sense for this many people. I have the minivan reserved so hopefully big enough; didn’t want the transit van! Lol