Dropping off rental car at the Raddison

[carolina gal']

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could answer a question for us. Husband and I are flying in the night before our 7 day Eastern cruise on January 11th. We will be arriving fairly late, so we have decided to stay near the airport and rent a car with AVIS and drive to the port the following day. My question is to see if it were possible to drive the the port first and check in our luggage and then drive to the Raddison to drop off the rental car?? I hate to haul a large amount of luggage from the car to the shuttle, then to the Port. My concern was with all the security measures, I was not sure if you were required to check in directly after your luggage was given to the porter?

Also, is it a long drive from the hotel to the port?

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

Lisa and Ben

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Not only is your scenario possible, but it's the much easier way to do things and the way I recommend doing them.

The Radisson/Avis is a 5-10 minute drive from the cruise terminal.

 

[mmouse37]

We will be disembarking the Magic on the 11th. We plan on doing the same things in the beginning of the week on Jan 4th. We are staying at Radisson on the 3rd and then dropping luggage at the port, then returning the car and taking the shuttle. Much easier that way. Have a great cruise.

MJ

 

[4crusinransiers]

Piece of cake and as Dave says"the way I recommend doing them." Easy, Hubby dropped me and the kidos and all the STUFF at the port, drove back to the radisson, returned the car and then took the shuttle back to port. When he returned we were all checked in and standing at the front of the line!

 

[sgtpet]

That is what my family and I did a few weeks ago.

 

[AnnMorin]

Ok DH does NOT want to return the car and take the shuttle himself. So can you take the rental car to the port first, check our bags (where would we park?- Cost etc.) and then go return the car as a family? Yes we do tend to do things as a pack in this household

 

[Michelle]

Ann, yes, you can do it that way too. Just drop the bags curbside and you can all return to the port via the AVIS shuttle. Be sure to take your carry ons with you as well.

 

[AnnMorin]

Now don't laugh.. When you say drop your bags curbside, does that mean a porter will check them in? I don't want to just leave my bags. Especially with my new dress. Ok stop laughing and spell out to me EXACTLY what I need to do and at what time I can start to do it..I see you giggling stop it.. I need to give DH explicit directions, this is the first time we have not used disney transport and he is thinking I am making a big mistake.

 

[disney6]

It's really VERY EASY! Just drive to the port, tell the security people you are dropping luggage and then returning the rental car, you go to curbside where porters are waiting for you. Get out of car and put luggage on curb (they will be right there so no searching for someone). They will make sure all bags are tagged, you tip them, get back in the car and back to the hotel. Keep your carry ons with you of course. Get on the shuttle and to the port and check in!

I have to add this is the greatest vacation a family can take (IMHO). We have done it twice and all the kids are begging to go back! The 3 year old literally cried on the way off the ship.

Don't sweat the small stuff ------ have a great time!

 

[Michelle]

Yes, the porters are right there and they will meet your car to unload and take the bags. I always tip them on the FRONT end too, for taking the bags. Just be sure that all your bags have the baggage tags on them at that point and that you leave everything you want them to transport for you.

 

[pal2pluto]

After you get off the ship it is equally easy.......just tell the porter who takes your bags that you need the Avis shuttle and he will take you and your bags directly to the shuttle. He really earns his tips, so treat him well.

 

[AnnMorin]

Yup... I gotta make sure I have it just right., hey I am the artist he is a lawyer.. My idea of specifics and his are both sides of the rainbow..
WE drive the rental car to the port- (will print out dave's directions)
tell security we are dropping off luggage-
****what time are the porters there???***
take rental car back and return with carry on via shuttle?

 

[AnnMorin]

Tee Hee.. obviously you did not read about how I tipped last time, it was more than my mortgage payment.. I thought the recommended amount was per day not per cruise! I always tip well!

 

[carolina gal']

Thanks to everyone for your replies!!! I am glad to know that we will be able to drop off the bags first!! I hope everyone enjoys their cruise. Have a great night....By the way, how far is it from the Raddison to the Port??

Thanks again!!!

 

[pal2pluto]

I'm guessing about a mile? Maybe 1 1/2 miles? Not far.....get on dave's site ... www.dcltribute.com and you can print out directions and a map........