Experienced Cruisers

[krzkat]

Hey All,

I need some help, never been on DCL before. If I don't rent a car how do I get to and from the airport. Also, any suggestions on a hotel as I would fly in the night before. If someone could help me out or direct me to where I can find this info I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

We fly from LAX and arrive the day before the cruise. We always stay at the Hyatt at Orlando airport, because it is right in the terminal. It's very convenient, but a bit more expensive. There are a lot of airport hotels which offer shuttles to and from the airport. There is some good info on hotels at Dave's site:

http://www.dcltribute.com/lodging/MCO/

For transportation, we usually book the cruise line transfers. They cost $49/pp. For a family of two, it's not too much more expensive than renting a car, but it's much much easier. Many people book towncar/limo service to transfer them to and from the airport. Hopefully they can add to the thread with some info on this. I have no experience with it.

 

[tkd lisa]

We've always rented a car. The main car rental agencies allow one-way rentals too and from the port. We've used Hertz and Avis. I think Budget and Enterprise are available.

www.dcltribute.com has a lot of info on the cocoa beach area, including rental car information.

As far as hotels, we've always pricelined for a hotel near the Orlando airport.

 

[hydster]

You didnt say how many people would be with you. We found that if we had more than 3 people it was cheaper to hire a car service to take us to the port than to use the Disney transfers not to mention you can decide when to leave and you are on your own schedule not that of the Cruiseline itself. Also depending on what time you are due to arrive in Orlando would be a big factor to me on where I stayed. If you get in early morning maybe get a WDW hotel and go to Disney for the day. If you arrive mid-afternoon get a car service and head to the Port area and if you arrive at night I'd stay at the Hyatt and leave for the port the next morning. I would think it is all a matter of preference to you. We HATE trying to figure out how to drive where we are going so we get a car service to take us. Some people drive to the port (it's about an hour away) and stay the night at the Radisson on somewhere nearby so they can be close on the embarkation morning. We go down a few days early (just to be safe and not chance missing the cruise) so we stay at a WDW property with the kids. I dont know if I would like to have to drive to the Port area at night after flying but that's just me.

Heidi

 

[krzkat]

thanks so much for all of your info... it'll just be me by myself. My brother will be working on the ship at the time I go, so I'm just going for a visit.

Thanks again!