What hotel did you stay at the night before - Port Canaveral

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Does anyone know what time the DCL busses start from the Hyatt? Thanks!

When I did this in December they asked us to be back in the boarding area around 9:15 (we never left the area) and I think it was around 9:30 they started loading the first bus and it left shortly after that.

Radisson for us. Free transportation from Orlando airport to the hotel and it only cost less than $10 to be dropped off at the ship. Saved us from renting a car following our flight.

Thanks for sharing! I wasn't aware they offered a free shuttle from MCO to the hotel! Something to consider down later...

Heather

 

[lark]

We've done the Country Inn and Suites and the Hyatt MCO. The latter is better, but was too expensive last time. The CIS is easy. Very short shuttle ride, nice hotel, and only 15,000 Club Carlson points for a free night, which are very easy to earn.

As of two weeks ago, the first bus left MCO at 9:30. It's just a podium now, not a full check in. We didn't know that they no longer give boarding passes at MCO and instead everything is tied to the port arrival time you select online. It's lucky we are type A and got the 11:00 a.m. boarding time even though we didn't think we needed it. (There really ought to be a sticky about this -- there were definitely some people surprised they would be sitting around the terminal and didn't get an early boarding time by virtue of taking the transfer.)

 

[Nikisha421]

our flight comes in late the night before our trip so we are staying at the Hyatt MCO

 

[momto3gr8boys]

We've done the Country Inn and Suites and the Hyatt MCO. The latter is better, but was too expensive last time. The CIS is easy. Very short shuttle ride, nice hotel, and only 15,000 Club Carlson points for a free night, which are very easy to earn.

As of two weeks ago, the first bus left MCO at 9:30. It's just a podium now, not a full check in. We didn't know that they no longer give boarding passes at MCO and instead everything is tied to the port arrival time you select online. It's lucky we are type A and got the 11:00 a.m. boarding time even though we didn't think we needed it. (There really ought to be a sticky about this -- there were definitely some people surprised they would be sitting around the terminal and didn't get an early boarding time by virtue of taking the transfer.)

We also got an 11am PAT, but are you saying they made people wait for a later DCL bus, or they could still get on an early bus out of MCO but then would have to wait at the port? Have they been strict about sticking to the PATs and allowing (or not allowing) people to enter the port early?

 

[lark]

We also got an 11am PAT, but are you saying they made people wait for a later DCL bus, or they could still get on an early bus out of MCO but then would have to wait at the port? Have they been strict about sticking to the PATs and allowing (or not allowing) people to enter the port early?

They let you board the bus without regard to your PAT and they let everyone who comes by bus enter the terminal without regard to your PAT -- at least they did with the first bus. However, they are pretty inflexible about enforcing PATs once you get to the terminal. Your boarding number is based solely on your PAT.

We went with another family that had checked in a couple of days before the cruise, and so they had a 3:00 or 3:30 PAT. We had 11:00 or 11:30 -- can't remember. They let all of us board the 9:30 bus and they let all of us in the terminal when we arrived and before the opened the terminal to others, but they were pretty hardcore about boarding numbers. Eventually, we talked them into letting our friends be in our boarding group (like 11 or something). We got lucky -- our reservations were linked by our TA and we used that to argue we should all be able to board together. They made an exception, but seemed pretty willing to make our friends sit around if it had come to that. They were unmoved by the explanation that when we selected PATs, the old procedure (boarding cards at MCO) was still in place.

I'm actually not all that sure how much it would have mattered, though. The boarding was rapid. Boarding started around 11:15 and boarding group 11 was called within 20 minutes or so. Apparently, once the terminal empties out, they will let anyone board, not matter what your number, and the PATs make it so the terminal isn't quite so crowded. I think our friends would have been able to board by a little after noon anyway.

So, if you end up with a late PAT, you may still be able to get on board early by virtue of taking the bus, just because they will let you enter the terminal if you take the bus -- at least, they will for now.

 

[MND]

Currently looking to book the Hyatt Orlando, but wondering if I should stay closer to the port.

We stayed at Four Points Sheraton in Cocoa Beach. It is right next to the Ron Jon Surf Shop and a short walk to the beach. We liked it so much we are staying there again for our next cruise.

Mike

 

[4 DZNY NUTZ]

We stayed at the Hampton Inn our last cruise. Booked the Fly, Snooze & Cruise package. Included all transfers to and from MCO and the cruise terminal. Standard hotel with ocean views with direct beach access via a short path.

Thanks for this info!! We were deciding if we wanted to stay at the airport and use DCL buses or if we wanted to stay closer. We will definetly be using the package and staying there. How was the shuttle to an from the airport?

 

[mattcrimson]

Radisson for us. Free transportation from Orlando airport to the hotel and it only cost less than $10 to be dropped off at the ship. Saved us from renting a car following our flight.

Which Radisson did you book?

 

[TARIE7291]

In the past we used to stay at a WDW resort, but the last cruise in October 2012 we stayed at CI&S at the port. It was convenient to stay at the port but the hotel was just ok. I've stayed at much nicer CI&S at other locations. The free breakfast was not very good either. Again I've had better at other CI&S or competitor hotels. We are cruising again this May and may give the Holiday Inn Express a try.

 

[FAIREST1OFALL]

We stayed at the Country Inn as well the night before we cruised. It was clean and the owners were extremely friendly. I'd stay there again pre-cruise.

We stayed at the Hyatt at MCO the night before we flew home. Our room was lovely and the bed was very comfortable.

 

[DLW8]

We fly in late the night before, so we stay at the Hyatt and have a car service pick us up from there in the morning.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Unless we fly in many days before our cruise, we always stay at the Hyatt MCO and use DCL transfers the next day. We'll be doing this in 5 days

It's too bad that they don't do a full cruise check in and give you your stateroom key at the bus desk any longer. I wonder why they stopped this nice little perk? I booked the Hyatt and Disney bus just for this reason and now they have discontinued it.

 

[Beermam42]

Only sailed out of Galveston, but after reading and watching on you tube CSI will be our pick. Will go eat at Fishlips night before. Been watching web cam for over a year that is located on top and all the sail always. We are looking at 12 to 13 hr drive. May stop in Tallashee for a night.

Port Canerval web cam. http://portcanaveralwebcam.com/

 

[Hunclemarco]

We stayed at the Residence Inn at Cape Canaveral. The evening we were there they served a dinner there a la carte with beverages. Was a quick 5 minute ride to port. We'll probably go there on our cruise next year.

 

[Aura of Foreboding]

We stayed at the Residence Inn at Cape Canaveral. The evening we were there they served a dinner there a la carte with beverages. Was a quick 5 minute ride to port. We'll probably go there on our cruise next year.

That`s where we stayed as well, and it worked out perfectly for us. We got a rental from Budget and drove to Cape Canaveral (there were seven of us, so it was cheap). The Residence Inn was within walking distance of the Budget location in Canaveral, so we got checked in at the hotel, dropped off the car and walked back to the hotel (about 5 or 6 blocks). The morning of the cruise, we used the hotel contracted shuttle at $3 per person to get to the port - we were at the port by 11:25.

As for the hotel, it offered a VERY full continental breakfast. There were the standard yogurt, breads, cereals, waffles and juice, but also an oatmeal bar, tons of fruit and three or four hot options per day (which changed from day to day) like burritoes, scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon.

As well, on Monday - Wednesday they have a manager's reception over the supper hours where you could have a light supper.

We managed to get a two bedroom suite for the seven of us for around $200/night. We would stay at the Residence Inn again in a heartbeat.