Cape Canaveral Car Rental on Disembarkation Day

[Off to Neverland 7]

After 3 cruises and using DCL transportation, DH and I will be getting a car rental after disembarking for the first time this upcoming Dec because of a late flight. Does any one have experience with the car rental companies at Cape Canaveral? Is one better than the other? Thrifty & Dollar have cheaper rates but the reviews prove why. I'm reading horror stories of car rental shuttles having waits up to 3 hours and it's making me a little nervous. We have late seating but are considering eating at Cabanas on disembarkation day to skip the lines. Thank you in advance!

 

[fredandkell]

I've rented from Dollar and Hertz and both shuttles were fine.

 

[MickeyD]

We have rented from Avis, Budget, and National. Of the 3, I would definitely use National again. Super easy in and out (we are Emerald Club). Have had bad experiences at both Avis and Budget (and we have Fastbreak and Avis preferred and it did NOT make a difference). Check before you sail and see how many ships are in port. If more than 2, go with Hertz or National. Avis and Budget are not set up to handle a huge influx apparently. When we disembarked this last time we had to use Budget because they would not let us cancel our reservation without a $50 penalty (the ressie was for $34!), so we suffered through their incompetence. It wasn't too bad as far crowds because only the Fantasy and the Carnival Magic were in port, but Budget took forever to check people in and there were people (like us) waiting to get a car. We have been at Budget before when 5 ships were in port and we had to line up in the parking lot (in the heat) and wait and wait. Port Canaveral does not use Fastbreak.

 

[lorimay]

We used Budget in May after a re-po cruise. There was a bus waiting for us when we walked off the ship.
We had our car and were on the road home about an hour after debarking, no issues.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I'm reading horror stories of car rental shuttles having waits up to 3 hours and it's making me a little nervous.

Do express disembarkation. I don't think I've ever waited more than 10 minutes on a car rental shuttle, maybe another 10 minutes or so picking up my car and a couple minutes later I am on the road. Usually less than $100 for a full size car dropping back off at MCO or Disney World.

I've used Budget and Alamo and both without any issue.

 

[Off to Neverland 7]

Thank you all for your responses. This is super helpful information!!

 

[PurplePencil]

FYI when booking use the name Port Canaveral.
For Budget (the only one I know of) it is the same place but they get very upset if you use the wrong name. There is also a "port" surcharge to be aware of

 

[bobbiwoz]

We always use Avis, and have been pleased.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We have only used Budget. In line by 8:00 or so outside ship for shuttle. Shuttle shows up about 8:20. One of us grabs bags from shuttle, other jumps in line. Quick. I will say, however, that early, there is sometimes an issue with the size of car we rent not being available. Usually we luck out with an upgrade.