Mariner OTS out of Port Canaveral tranportation

[Jim C.]

I was torn between posting this in the Ports and Hotels area or this one, but since I figure more RCCL's may read this forum, I decided on here.

I think we have comitted (at least I have, the wife has to get past the price first ) to taking the Mariner out of Port Canaveral. We looked at doing the Liberty, but the extra expense was a deal breaker. Anyway, my question is this. Has anyone done their one transport to the port from Orlando (airport) and what did you do? The flights don't seem to get in early enough to make me feel comfortable about taking a flight the day of the and we normally fly in the day before and hotel it for a night. So... do you stay in Orlando and go to Port Canaveral in the morning. Are there hotels near the port? How do we get to and from the port to the airport? Renting a car for a week seems like an expensive option. Is there bus service to and from (aside from the cruise lines transport).. or do we fly in, stay in Orlando, go back to the airport and take RCCL's transport to the port?

So many questions I know, but I'm sure someone out there has done this and can offer some thoughts on the best way...

Thanks Jim

[doublebb1]

I don't know if this helps but this is what we're doing. We're flying in Friday morning (Orlando International Airport), renting a car and spending 2 nights in a hotel in Downtown Disney. On Sunday we'll drive to Port Canaveral and leave the car at an Avis rental car place and for the trip back - we're getting shuttled back to the airport by Royal Caribbean.

[Jim C.]

That's a good idea... I hadn't thought about mixing in a Disney day with this. Do you mind telling me what they are charging for a one way rental on the car? I had thought about renting a car, but couldn't see paying for a weeks rental AND parking at the Port.

How do you plan on getting to the Port from Avis?

[Cruise Fanatic]

Jim,
Mears is the biggest shuttle in Orlando area. www.mearstransportation.com . Or you could stay in a hotel by the airport like Embassy Suites and take the hotel shuttle over to the airport and catch the RCI shuttles. Going to Disney for one day will set you back about $112 per adult (10 and over) for a one day park hopper pass. $67 per adult if you don't want the hopper pass and just stay in one park all day.

[Jim C.]

Thanks CF! I'll check into that too. I assumed that there had to be some form of shuttle service other that the RCCL one. Disney is a good idea because the wife is a Disnet fanatic and has been complaining about the cruises taking away the Disney trips.. this is an idea on how to get both in...

[Jim C.]

Doublebb1-

Nevermind the price.. I went on line and got one. My question then becomes, what were your plans for getting from the Avis place in Cape Canevral to the ship/port? I will try to call them and see if they have a shuttle or such...

Thanks in advance...

[Jim C.]

Ok.. time for my "public service message" post. While no one else posted on this subject, I felt that what I ended up doing was worthy of mention since someone else may be doing a cruise out of Port Canaveral.

My original Q- "How are you getting to the port if you fly in a day early?" What we are doing turned into a differnt thing, but we found that through AVIS, you can rent a car at the Orlando airport, drive to the port and drop the car off at the AVIS there. They are 2 miles from the port (I called and talked with them) and they provide a free shuttle that goes to the port every 15mins or so. Cost - we are getting a mini van for about $62. Which is what the cruise line charges per person for their bus service. The bus may be more convienent, but with 4 of us going, we can save money AND we are not at the mercy of the bus schedule.

We are also doing Disney Word for a couple of days on the return, so the rent a car on the way back seems like the best approach too.

Oh, and Dave and Sonny... notice the ship.. I finally took your advice and I am trying an RCCL cruise . I almost book a liberty cruise, but the extra cost for that and the port it sails to did not inspire the wife. Once I folded the Disney part of this into the mix, doing the Mariner out of Port Canaveral worked well... Should be a great vacation!