More Transportation Questions

[Luv2cruise!]

We are a group of 14 flying in the day before our cruise leaves- it is typically cheaper to rent cars or have a company transport that many of us to the port and then back after the cruise? Also, we once had an experience where we had to make a last minute (like, day before cruise) decision to fly rather than drive to Florida, and once we got to MCO to rent a car, we all got a super cheap deal because they had vans that they needed taken to the port anyways... has anyone else ever just not booked a rental car ahead of time and had luck at getting a really good deal, or would we be crazy to not book them ahead of time?

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

When I have "booked" Rental cars for cruises, they are fully refundable, right up to the last minute. So you reserve a car(s) but don't pay for them until you walk up to the counter (though now some car companies, like hotels are giving you a small discount if you commit to a non-refundable price). This is one of the great parts of a rental car to me, and why I choose it over other (non-refundable) options.

Thus, I'd say reserve rental cars but keep your ears open for last minute deals. If you find something else, call them and they will give your cars to someone else, if you don't find something better, then you won't be stuck paying through the nose.

Have a great trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

we once had an experience where we had to make a last minute (like, day before cruise) decision to fly rather than drive to Florida, and once we got to MCO to rent a car, we all got a super cheap deal because they had vans that they needed taken to the port anyways... has anyone else ever just not booked a rental car ahead of time and had luck at getting a really good deal, or would we be crazy to not book them ahead of time?

Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. Book something at a price you can live with, and make sure you can cancel it. As you get there, check it out to see if there are better deals. If so, book it and cancel the first. If not, at least you have the first. It's all based on business decisions of what that location has and where they need certain vehicles to go. You can't assume anything in the rental business.

 

[jennRR457]

Some rental car company websites tell you if you are booking during a busy time or not. For my next cruise out of PC it has been difficult to find car rentals at the price I normally find them because (according to the website) it’s a busy time. They may just be putting that on there to try and force me to buy quickly, but it’s still something to consider.

That may help you when planning, cause a busy time would probably be less likely to have nice deals later on.