PreCruise stay & transportation questions

[jg&emom]

My family is taking our first cruise in November the I have a few questions I need help with! There are 5 of us and we plan to fly to Orlando on a Thursday, visit Kennedy Space Center on Friday, and depart for the cruise on Saturday. Should we rent a car at MCO? Can we return it at the Port? Would we then have to rent another car for the return flight? Also, could anyone recommend a nice hotel near the Space Center. Are there any suite-type hotels, or is our only option getting 2 rooms?? (My kids ages are 10,9, and 6). Thanks so much!!!

 

[DrCavin]

Yes rent a car at MCO.
Yes you can return it near the port & some have free shuttle to/from terminal
Yes book return rental when booking original

Dave's website, www.dcltribute.com, has some great reviews of area hotels. His site has not been updated in a while, so not every hotel is listed. There have been some added recently that are not listed. Ron Jons seems to be a popular choice lately for familys.

 

[jg&emom]

Thanks so much! The website you directed me to seemed to answer all my questions.

 

[jkfreeman33]

We just got off Carnival Glory from Port Canaveral on 6/25.
We went 2 days before the 6/18 sailing and stayed at the Radisson at the Port. We could see the ships from our window. We got the 2 room suite and it was beautiful. Nice bedroom with jacuzzi bathtub, french doors leading to the kitchen and livingroom. Vey nice.
We rented a car at MCO and as part of the package deal with Radisson, left it there for free and they shuttled us back and forth to the port. Very convenient. We then drove back to MCO and dropped the car off. We got the smallest and cheapest car available from National. It cost us $145.00 for 10 days then we had our own car and left on our own time, etc.
We spent the day before at the Kennedy Space Center and really enjoyed it.
Had to keep reminding myself it wasn't some Disney attraction. This is the real thing!! The Discovery shuttle is out on the launch pad waiting for a July blast off.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[ShannonRT]

We're doing the exact same thing in December! Arriving on Friday, visiting Kennedy Space Center on Saturday and cruising on Sunday. Plan to rent a car at MCO and return it at the port. Then rent another one when we debark on Thursday for the trip back to MCO. Last cruise we did the Disney transportation which was fine, but with the extra days on the front end and a late (4:40 pm) flight home, we needed the flexibility of the rental car.

Have reservations at the Radisson for two nights before the cruise. I haven't ever stayed there, but most reviews here have been positive. I got a rate of $110 per night for government employees.

 

[DIS NURSE]

I would personally look into Ron Jon's resort (right there also)....especially if you have kids! It has a mini water park on site and wonderful beach access. Maybe alittle more than the Radisson but the "suite" style you are looking for is there...witht a mini fridge and microwave. Even the "studio" (cheapest) seems like plenty for us for a few nights before the cruise. Check out Trip Advisor's reports of this resort.....I doubt you would be disappointed.

When are you going in November? We are scheduled for a 7 night Eastern on the Magic.....Nov. 12

DIS NURSE

 

[lilo62]

Ron Jon's is a GREAT place to stay!

 

[Jsme]

I looked into Ron Jon's before booking Radisson and I could not get a room for just one night. The resort looks awesome but it just did not work out for us.

We have stayed at the Radisson two times and we are happy with it. It is not Ron Jon's but it is nice enough for us.