New/Conflicting info about reserving Shuttle at Radisson

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone:

I called the Radisson at the Port last night to ask a question. While I had them on the phone I asked them how far out I could add our names to their shuttle list. Before I even gave them our dates, the woman told me that ONLY those who are booked with their "cruise special package" would be allowed to pre-reserve the shuttle. She even checked and looked up my reservation and told me "No, you're not on the cruise package, so you will have to wait to put your name on the shuttle list until you get here". Well, if all they have left by that point is a very late shuttle, my DH is not going to be happy at all. Neither will I! We'd rather pay for a taxi and go when WE want to go. The problem is, I just read on another thread that there weren't even enough taxis around to take passengers to the ship.

Has anyone else been told this new info??? I wonder if this is like when you call CRO; get a bad CM, just call back and get a different one who'll tell you otherwise.

 

[QueenTrident]

Call back. The first time I called, they told me the same thing. I waited a few hours and got someone else on the phone and had no problem.

However, you can easily wait a bit longer, since your trip is still 6 months away (according to your countdown clock). I called at two months out.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks! I didn't want to put my name on the list when I called last night, I was only asking them WHEN I could do that. That's when she told me that unless we had the cruise package, we couldn't do it in advance.

Thanks for the info, I will wait a few months and call back and hopefully be able to add our names to the list before we check in

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

http://www.artsshuttle.com/
if all else fails you can call this place. ive been told its $3 a person.
maybe this might make things better

 

[QueenTrident]

Got it. Funny, but the first time I called, I asked them the same thing. That's when I couldn't do it. Then, when I called back, I told them to put my name on the list.

Maybe that was the difference. There's wiggle room if you ask. But if you tell, then they have to put their customer service hats on and do what you say.

 

[SeaSpray]

John: Thanks. I added that site to my Favorites. I'll bring their phone number with us, just in case!

QT: Thanks for the tip, when I call back I will say that I am calling to add my name to the list. I won't make it sound like a question.

 

[Mary Anne]

Sea Spray, I'm in the same boat (pun intended as you) I'm concerned now too about getting on that shuttle. Perhaps, I should plan on keeping the car till that Saturday morning and having DH drop us off at the ship and then have him take the shuttle from the car drop off to the ship.

 

[FredS]

When we cruised in October we stayed at the Radisson. We did not have the cruise package, and when I booked (probably three months in advance) I asked if we would still be able to use the complimentary shuttle. They told me for that reservation the answer was yes, but that would be changing in the coming months, and you would have to book the cruise package to have the shuttle included.

I was concerned enough that I emailed and asked them to verify in writing that we would be allowed to take the shuttle and they send me a response verifying that, and also specifically saying that would not be the case in the no-too-distant future.

We are not staying at the Radisson for our upcoming cruise, partly because our room was not that great (we checked in late and were in the section in the back, which I got the feeling was not the nicest area of the resort) and because we just decided having a car would work better, so we could get dinner the night before and have DH drop us off at the port and return the car. Adds some convenience and ends up being less expensive. (Another reason is probably because we were stranded in the parking lot at the port waiting for our towncar for an hour!)

 

[kcashner]

Another hint. Have DH take the family and luggage over to the port, then drive back to the hotel and park. He needs to remember to keep his documents with him. Mom can get in the check in line. Dad can then hop the shuttle back to the port.

It is easy for one person, no luggage to get on the shuttle, even if not "pre-registered. It is a major issue for a family of 4 with all bags.

At the port, they will even allow mom to check in DH. When he arrives, he will just need to go to the counter, show picture ID, and the DCL rep will give him his KTTW card. Didn't even require us to wait in line...just walk to the gal who handled the check in, and as soon as person she was with had finished, she handed over the KTTW.

Although some may get nervous at the family being separated, this method really works well. Dad will be back at the port and have KTTW card well before the check in line is moving.

 

[Gigashadow]

We had the "Cruise Package" for our July trip and until now didn't know that I could have pre-reserved our shuttle time. Mabye we had an off day, we made the reservation when we checked in for 11:00am shuttle and there was only 1 couple that was in the van with us, the resort was pretty full.

 

[Muushka]

We have reservations for March 19th. I called last week and made our shuttle reservation and they didn't even ask if we had the shuttle package. Which we don't.

I guess it depends on who answers the phone .

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

I called this week to reserve the shuttle for April 18th. They said I could not reserve until day of arrival because I booked through a hotel website instead of directly. Based of some of your experiences, I will probably try again.

 

[SeaSpray]

Ok, I just called again. By the way, I call the resort directly, not their 800#. Anyway, this person took my name, the date, and told me that Disney shuttles start at 10:30am (she had an accent, I think that's what she said, anyway) so she asked what time I wanted to be marked down for. I asked her to please put us down for that first shuttle. She said we're all set. I just hope so! I'll call back periodically, just to be sure.

It's amazing how we can get all different answers like this. Also, she didn't check my actual reservation or anything, just took my word for it that we did have a reservation there.

 

[crisi]

We are the people who had trouble with a cab.

We did the four day, which leaves on Sunday. That also happens to be the day the RCCL Mariner of the Seas - the biggest darn cruise ship afloat - sets sail. A third ship sets sail that day as well - and it was no little boat.

The cab driver said Sunday is the only day cabs are really bad - due to the Mariner.

We didn't want to bother with the hotel shuttle, figuring we could grab a cab and have better and easier service (hah!) so we didn't prebook the shuttle, and when we got to the hotel, the first shuttle available was at 1:30.

I'd recommend people sailing on the four day not renting a car do their overnight near MCO and take their towncar direct to the port Sunday morning.

 

[Mary Anne]

Sea Spray - I'm confirmed on that same shuttle as you! We'll both keep checking and hopefully end up on that bus!

Does anyone know how many people can fit on that bus?

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Mary Anne
Sea Spray - I'm confirmed on that same shuttle as you! We'll both keep checking and hopefully end up on that bus!

Does anyone know how many people can fit on that bus?

I hope so too Mary Anne! Did you just call this evening to book the shuttle? At least we've both been given the same info on this...let's hope it stays this way.

 

[winnyis]

Boy who would have thought we could sign up for the shuttle 6 months in advance. I also called the Radisson --- they told me my rate didnt qualify for the advance sign up-- but for $20 more it would and that included breakfast so I upgraded for my family and my sisters.. We are also booked on the 10:30 shuttle.

She did tell me that it holds 35 people.

Thanks for the heads up on this Seaspray... I would have been pissed had I shown up at the Radisson on the 27th and told all the morning shuttles were filled.

GInny

 

[KarenB]

Hi Seaspray

DH just made ressies this afternoon for the night before our cruise. I called the hotel number a few hours later and got us signed up for the 10:30 shuttle!! Thanks for the information about signing up early.

Karen

 

[prymsu]

thank you for sharing this info. We usually stay at the Radisson, and i wouldn't have realized that this was the case for this new change.

 

[QueenTrident]

She did tell me that it holds 35 people.

The shuttle I was on did NOT hold 35 people. More like 11, with a person in the front seat. It was just a minivan.

Also, we were booked on the 10:30, but went out at around 10:05 or so. Since the other 10:30s were already out there, they left at around 10:10. Just something for you to consider.