Airport to Port Canaveral

[Joey G 1947]

Hi everyone, We just booked the 4 night Bahama cruise leaving on May 9th. I had a few questions regarding transportation.
How often does the shuttle run from the airport to Canaveral?
Our flight arrives in Orlando at 9 am. If we leave for Canaveral that early , is there anything to do to pass the time while waiting to board? We are planning on calling member services to book the shuttle they are currently using. I'm just curious as to what to do while waiting . Your replies are appreciated.

Thank You

Joe G

 

[musicgirl]

Hi,

The DCL buses will load, as soon as one is ready, they will start another one. Since you are coming in the day of the cruise, you'll have your cruise tags on and DCL will pick them up and transport them for you.

You'll be met in the lobby, you'll get checked in for the bus. I would imagine this will take at least 30 min depending on how many early flights there are for DCL.

So if you leave the airport around 9:30, you will be at the terminal around 10:15. This is just about the time that they will let people go into the terminal. You will have to go through security and then check in and get in line.

This time will move quickly. There are movies playing in sitting areas, the model of the ship to look at and characters for pictures. You really won't need to find anything to do.

Have fun!

 

[kcashner]

Ok....by "the shuttle" do you mean the DCL bus? WHen you said "member services," I trust that you mean DVC member services, in which case, they will use the DCL bus.

The first bus leaves the airport area about 9:30, although they will tell you that it leaves at 10. They run as often as necessary based on how many people are booked to come in on various planes. This is usually every 15-30 minutes. As soon as a bus is full, it leaves for Port Canaveral. When you get off the plane, you meet the DCL personnel in the airport atrium and they direct you to the bus. DCL transport includes baggage handling. That means that provided you have placed the DCL tags on your luggage, they will pick it up from baggage check at the airport and the next time you will see it is in your cabin on the ship.

The port opens to incoming traffic at 10:00, and the check in counters open at 10:30. It takes about 45 minutes from airport to Port Canaveral, so a bus leaving between 9:30 and 10 gets you there as soon as check in opens. Remember that with a flight arriving at 9, you will still need a few minutes to de-plane and get to the bus, so you really won't have more than a few minutes wait.

While waiting to board, there is a map on the floor to explore, a model of the ship, an overpriced snack shop, and intermittent Disney characters. Cast members will show you the model and help you identify your cabin, etc. You will, of course, need to check in. Boarding the ship begins about 11:45.

Alternative transportation is provided by several different limo services. These will pick you up at any time you specify, and if you wish, will make a 15 minute stop for anything you choose on the way to the port (some people like to stop to buy bottled water, soda, or something they might have forgotten.) If you use these services, you will need to claim your bags in the airport and take them to the limo. They will then drop you at the porters at the port, who will take the bags--again, you will next see them in your cabin on the ship. The break even point from a cost standpoint is 3 people--under 3, DCL bus is cheaper, over 3, the private limo is less.

Long answer....did I cover all your questions?

 

[JC Butterfly]

To piggy back on this . . . does everyone fly into MCO?

Are there other viable airport options?

Brenda

 

[din]

Depends on if you want to use DCL transport. DCL only runs from MCO. I have found some good fares flying into Tampa, and it is only a 2 to 3 hour drive. Also there are some smaller airports, though I am not sure of the fares there.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

We flew in to Tampa for our last cruise because it had better prices. We rented a car and drove to WDW for the night and drove to the port in the morning. I am surprised that you could still do a one way rental from Tampa to the port. I thought they would only do them from MCO.