DCL transportation or car service

[blessed32]

Hello I am going on my first disney cruise next year November 2010 and I wanted to know those of you who cruise disney before which one do you use DCL transportation to get to the port or do you use a car service or private service. I am trying to decide which one is better to use. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or answering my question.

 

[Edd]

The car service is definately better. No waiting in lines to get on a bus, if you have younger children, carseats can be provided, you have a live driver who can give you a bunch of tips and stop for water, brew or other things before you board the ship, no waiting for the bus to fill when you disembark, walk outside to the gates, at the port, and your car service will pick you up immediately. Car service is direct transportation from the luggage carousels to unloading at the ship, with bus transportation you need to set aside 1/2 to 1 hour waiting and boarding the bus before you get going, not so with car service. The best thing is the price!

Disney charges $69.00 per person round trip. Five passengers in your group will cost you $345.00 on the Disney bus. Car service runs anywhere between $180.00 to $240.00, or more for the Limos, for up to 10 passengers. Of course you have to call around and talk with the different companies to get your ride and to set up your rates. There are many excellent car service companies that will provide with the service you cannot get from Disney at a cheaper price.

 

[nordkin]

The least expensive way is a one way car rental. Budget, Avis, Hertz and Enterprise have one way rentals to Cape Canaveral with shuttles to the port once you have dropped the car off. Just reverse it to go back to the airport.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have driven a rental car, and left it parked, at the terminal, before. That was terrific. But, because we were continuing on for another 4 days in Tampa, we got a great rate, even when adding in parking fees. I haven't found such a good rate again. I hate having to go pick up the car, drive it over, return it, after filling it up, then taking a shuttle over to the ship, and then reversing the process. Just too much work for me.
I have used a car service, which was wonderful. Yes, a bit more expensive then renting a car, but so nice. You get dropped off right at the entrance to the terminal, when you want to be dropped off. You can get make that grocery stop for extras on the way. Then, your driver is waiting for you to get off the ship at a predetermined time. It really is nice. We had four people, so the cost of close to $200 wasn't all that big a deal...we splilt it.
If you have more than one or two, the DCL bus isn't really cheap.