Walczak4, In answer to your question, a lot of us have stayed at the Radison the night before the cruise. We usually have some kind of get together planned. Folks arriving late Friday usually stay somewhere closer to the airport. Ron Jon's new resort was also booked by a lot of cruisers last year, but the resort had to shut down due to hurricane damage. That left some folks trying to make last minute plans.
I can tell you this, if you want to start the fun on Friday just let us know what your plans are. We have had groups that meet (some for the first time)
at the airport and share a van to the port on Friday. Others have stayed in Orlando Friday night, then meet up Sat. morning for a shared limo ride. It's really up to you.
Since I live in FL, the port is a 6-7 hour drive for us, we tend to leave home Friday morning and drive to the port arriving before dinner. We stay at the Raddison, and leave our car parked there (free) while we cruise. Room cost us about $80-90 but parking would be $70. So we figure the rooms really cost us $10-20.
Hope this helps.
Avé

I can tell you this, if you want to start the fun on Friday just let us know what your plans are. We have had groups that meet (some for the first time)
at the airport and share a van to the port on Friday. Others have stayed in Orlando Friday night, then meet up Sat. morning for a shared limo ride. It's really up to you.

Since I live in FL, the port is a 6-7 hour drive for us, we tend to leave home Friday morning and drive to the port arriving before dinner. We stay at the Raddison, and leave our car parked there (free) while we cruise. Room cost us about $80-90 but parking would be $70. So we figure the rooms really cost us $10-20.

Avé