jmho but we've done many cruises and have tried private transfers, rental cars &
DCL transfers. We find the whole rental car process a PITA. To me it's not worth the little bit of savings. Some will say they don't mind but if you're traveling with kids and want to make it easy as possible, I'd vote for DCL transfers. It's not the cheapest but then again neither is DCL.
On one cruise we used
Budget while my parents took the DCL bus. After waiting in the queue for the shuttle at the port, as we were about to board (2nd in line) someone from way back slid his luggage in front of the line.
So we schlep our bags onto the shuttle and head to the office. We have a plan that I'll head into the office while dh gets the bags. I'm first in line and get the keys to the vehicle. Unfortunately other cars are parked soooo close to both sides that even my 8 yr old couldn't get the doors open.
So I have to go back into the office. Now I'm at the end of the line so I patiently wait and the clerk cannot believe I would say such a thing and bets me $1 she can get the car out of its spot. After she agrees it's wedged in tight and wants to give me the $ (I just want the dang car.) She has to move the other cars so we can get to this one. ok fine. She goes back inside. Once the cars are moved, we cram the trunk with 8 nts of clothes, formal wear, pirate gear, etc. then notice a large dent on one door which is not marked anywhere on the paper work.
So back in I go for a 3rd time to have the damage noted. By the time we got on the road, my parents were halfway to the airport. Also by using DCL transfers and a participating airline, they qualify for Onboard Airline Check in & get their boarding passes delivered to their cabin with luggage tags at the end of the cruise. When they put their bags out the last night, they don't see/touch them until arriving at our home airport. They simply hop off the bus with BPs in hand & head to the gate.
We, OTOH, had to take the car back to the rental area of MCO, unpack our bags, get a cart to haul it all inside the terminal to wait in yet another line to check the bags.
All that after a beautiful, relaxing cruise just to save $50. Never again. Now we intentionally choose a participating airline & use DCL transfers. Easy peasy way to disembark.
Maybe we were just spoiled by Onboard check in before that anything else is just too much work while on vacation. ymmv.
