Rental Car What Would You Do In This Situation?

[Guncho]

I've heard getting a rental car upon disembarkation can be a 2 hour nightmare. I would imagine most people are in a rush to get to the airport but my family and I are heading to the Best Western Hotel and Suites in Cocoa Beach for three nights so not in the same hurry.

What would you do to avoid the two hour rental car wait in our scenario?

Should we take a cab into Cocoa Beach and either get to a rental car company not swamped by cruise goers or at least kill some time to the rush dies down? (Can a 3 and 6 year old ride in a cab with no car seats?)

Is it possible for me to get off the cruise ship super early, beat the rush, get a rental car and go back and pickup my family?

Any other suggestions?

 

[mmouse37]

Welcome to the cruise board!!! I can tell you I have NEVER had a 2 hour wait. Yes, all the rental car companies can be swamped on cruise mornings with people picking up and dropping off cars. You would have to check the hours of the rental car place you are interested to see how early they open...but, even if open early, they may not have the car you want. People usually start dropping cars off around 10 or so so if you go early their inventory may be low until people start dropping the cars off. Not saying this will happen but it is a possibility.

Have you thought of keeping the car the whole time (while you are cruising). Park at the port and then just drive to your hotel from the port. We have done it both ways and I loved having our rental at the port.

MJ

 

[bumbershoot]

I've never experienced a wait anywhere near that. And that was before the big national/alamo facility and after.

(Can a 3 and 6 year old ride in a cab with no car seats?)

The 6 year old, with lax FL laws, sure. The 3 year old? No. please no.

Wait. You're getting a rental car and don't have seats? Oh you're probably renting them.

For the 6 year old get a Bubble Bum backless booster. Weighs a pound and does it's job (to bring the child up to fit the seatbelt) perfectly.

 

[MUN]

I've heard getting a rental car upon disembarkation can be a 2 hour nightmare. I would imagine most people are in a rush to get to the airport but my family and I are heading to the Best Western Hotel and Suites in Cocoa Beach for three nights so not in the same hurry.

What would you do to avoid the two hour rental car wait in our scenario?

Should we take a cab into Cocoa Beach and either get to a rental car company not swamped by cruise goers or at least kill some time to the rush dies down? (Can a 3 and 6 year old ride in a cab with no car seats?)

Is it possible for me to get off the cruise ship super early, beat the rush, get a rental car and go back and pickup my family?

Any other suggestions?

I would get off the ship whenever you want and take the shuttle to the rental car agency. I have rented cars after cruises on 3 occasions at PC and have never had a long wait. IMHO, going back to pick up your family is a hassle. I would have everyone ride to the rental car agency in the shuttle.

MUN

 

[Guncho]

Welcome to the cruise board!!! I can tell you I have NEVER had a 2 hour wait. Yes, all the rental car companies can be swamped on cruise mornings with people picking up and dropping off cars. You would have to check the hours of the rental car place you are interested to see how early they open...but, even if open early, they may not have the car you want. People usually start dropping cars off around 10 or so so if you go early their inventory may be low until people start dropping the cars off. Not saying this will happen but it is a possibility.

Have you thought of keeping the car the whole time (while you are cruising). Park at the port and then just drive to your hotel from the port. We have done it both ways and I loved having our rental at the port.

MJ

I think you're on to something. Picking up a car in one place and dropping it off at another is expensive.

If we picked up a car in Port Canaveral and returned it to MCO in 5 days it would cost $331. We would also have to pay roughly $140 for ground transport to the ship form Orlando for a total of $470.

If we picked up the rental car at MCO the day we arrive and returned it the day we leave it would cost $387.21 + $128 for Port Caveral Parking for a total of $515.

So 5 days with the car $470.

A car for the entire 12 day trip $515.

That's a pretty easy call.

 

[Guncho]

I've never experienced a wait anywhere near that. And that was before the big national/alamo facility and after.



The 6 year old, with lax FL laws, sure. The 3 year old? No. please no.

Wait. You're getting a rental car and don't have seats? Oh you're probably renting them.

For the 6 year old get a Bubble Bum backless booster. Weighs a pound and does it's job (to bring the child up to fit the seatbelt) perfectly.

Yikes rental car companies charge $10 a day per seat. Ouch.

The bubble bum backless booster sounds like the way to go. I'll order one online and have it shipped to the hotel in Orlando we are staying at the night before our cruise.

What to do for the 3 year old? I would rather go buy a seat for $60 and give it to the a charity rather than pay the rental car company $120 to borrow one.

 

[coloradocutie]

We bought the Graco Contender to travel with for our 3 year old. We bought it before our last cruise and my husband (who knows how much I loved our expired Britax) heard me say again and again how much I loved that car seat. Lightweight, easy to travel with in regards to storage in the room, super easy to install, and my little one loved the cup holder. Here is a great review on it. http://csftl.org/graco-contender-review/
We got it at Walmart for less than $100.

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

[Guncho]

I actually just read that WestJet (we're from Canada) allows you to bring car seats at no charge so if we're renting a car the entire time we might as well do that.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think you're on to something. Picking up a car in one place and dropping it off at another is expensive.

If we picked up a car in Port Canaveral and returned it to MCO in 5 days it would cost $331. We would also have to pay roughly $140 for ground transport to the ship form Orlando for a total of $470.

If we picked up the rental car at MCO the day we arrive and returned it the day we leave it would cost $387.21 + $128 for Port Caveral Parking for a total of $515.

So 5 days with the car $470.

A car for the entire 12 day trip $515.

That's a pretty easy call.

It's easy if it works out that way. I've never had a situation anywhere like that. For us it's $45-70 (sometimes using a free day) for the day rental each way, a few bucks to tip for the shuttle, vs the park charge and the cost for the week. But it's never just a week because we have the car before (we rarely are there just for ancruise...says the person typing from the hotel for the 5 day precruise stay in San Juan).

Everyone has to run their trip's numbers.

We bought the Graco Contender to travel with for our 3 year old. We bought it before our last cruise and my husband (who knows how much I loved our expired Britax) heard me say again and again how much I loved that car seat. Lightweight, easy to travel with in regards to storage in the room, super easy to install, and my little one loved the cup holder. Here is a great review on it. http://csftl.org/graco-contender-review/
We got it at Walmart for less than $100.

Enjoy your cruise!!

Not sure if they exist anymore but we traveled with the Cosco...oh drat I've forgotten the name. Nice convertible light and narrow and safe seat.

I actually just read that WestJet (we're from Canada) allows you to bring car seats at no charge so if we're renting a car the entire time we might as well do that.

Cool. I think all airlines allow car seats free. Consider gate checking them rather than letting them tumble all the way through the inner workings of the airport.

And the bubble bum is still awesome. DS carried it on his own. It's a pound and is in a carrry sack.

 

[Guncho]

It's easy if it works out that way. I've never had a situation anywhere like that. For us it's $45-70 (sometimes using a free day) for the day rental each way, a few bucks to tip for the shuttle, vs the park charge and the cost for the week. But it's never just a week because we have the car before (we rarely are there just for ancruise...says the person typing from the hotel for the 5 day precruise stay in San Juan).

Everyone has to run their trip's numbers.

Sorry I'm not following. Are you saying my numbers or math is off?

I just found out about Park N Cruise so that will save another $60.

 

[CamperMomma]

We did this back in October. Rented a car from MCO; flew down with a Graco Nautilus for the 2 year old (gate checked) and a backless booster for our 5 year old (who is the size of a 7 year old). Used the rental car for the first portion of the trip, left the carseats in the car while on the cruise (and some other things we didn't need, it turned out to be very handy storage!) and then picked it up after the cruise and continued on our trip. We managed to score a minivan from Alamo for $311 for 12 days. Still not sure how I lucked out on that price! Add in the parking at PC and it was well worth every dime to have a vehicle at our ready both coming and going. Left us a lot of freedom!

 

[LSUfan4444]

I think you're on to something. Picking up a car in one place and dropping it off at another is expensive.

If we picked up a car in Port Canaveral and returned it to MCO in 5 days it would cost $331. We would also have to pay roughly $140 for ground transport to the ship form Orlando for a total of $470.

If we picked up the rental car at MCO the day we arrive and returned it the day we leave it would cost $387.21 + $128 for Port Caveral Parking for a total of $515.

So 5 days with the car $470.

A car for the entire 12 day trip $515.

That's a pretty easy call.

Why not pick a car up from MCO and return it to PC, then pick up from PC and return to MCO? Depending on the car you need, I got a full size (Altima) for $114 going to Port Canaveral and a full size (Altima) for $89.50 coming from Port Canaveral (both includes the car seat rental but need to pay for gas/tolls).

Not only is it cheaper than Disney transfers, I am on my own schedule.

 

[MunFam]

We happened to save DDs Britax carseat box, so whenever we fly, we just box the carseat up and check it at the curb. If Britax is willing to ship them to stores (and by UPS) in that box, it will be fine for the airplane. Then we just flatten the box and put it in the bottom of the trunk of the rental car...repeat for the way home.

 

[FigmentSpark]

It's easy if it works out that way. I've never had a situation anywhere like that. For us it's $45-70 (sometimes using a free day) for the day rental each way, a few bucks to tip for the shuttle, vs the park charge and the cost for the week. But it's never just a week because we have the car before (we rarely are there just for ancruise...says the person typing from the hotel for the 5 day precruise stay in San Juan).

Everyone has to run their trip's numbers.

It all depends on the rate you can get for the rental. I ran numbers for my trip and have checked rates every day for the last 8 months. I got a minivan for 11 days for $511 (Alamo) (+ $128 parking) and that's the best it's been without going to the bargain rentals. Compared to the cost of returning and re-renting, sure, it's a little more, but the convenience factor is worth it for my husband. And it's not that much more for the spring break time of year, maybe even less now that prices have risen.

So for some people, it might not be worth it, depending on that price, but if that math works out, I think it's easier than trying to return and re-rent. Obviously, the easiest is to use the shuttles, but if you're staying extra days on either end, you likely need a vehicle anyway.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Here is my advice. Use your biggest asset, time and don't sweat it. The person who is racing for an 11:30 plane has to get out first thing, and every minute in line probably feels like an hour. You know you don't have any deadline, so just relax. Get off the boat when you want (everyone is off by 9:00), wonder over to the shuttle line, get in the rental line, rent your car, maybe let that guy who is behind you uncertain if he'll make it to the airport in time get ahead of you. You have time. In the end, I bet it won't take you all that long, but I know it doesn't have to be stressful, if you remember you are not in a hurry.

Everyone's experiences are different, and I'm sure it varies by time of year, rental company and luck of the draw.

I can say that when we did this in August, two, one-way rentals were MUCH cheaper than renting for a whole week. (Especially when you add in a week of parking). I can also say that when we rented from Budget, a full-sized car was about $70 for a day, but since you are staying 3 extra days, the rental company will consider that a week. So for you, a single rental for the whole time might be cheaper. Check out the prices both ways. Also, for us, it didn't cost extra to pick up/drop off at a different location. (Though some have had other experiences with certain companies. Shop around.) Also, we reserved our car and type on the website ahead of time, and they asked us what time we needed it, and I selected a time about an hour earlier than I thought I would arrive, so that they would have it ready. I suppose they might not have had it, but again, that was not our experience. In the end, yes there was a line, but definitely not two hours. 30 minutes at the port to get the shuttle (maybe less), and about the same to pick up the car.

 

[Guncho]

Why not pick a car up from MCO and return it to PC, then pick up from PC and return to MCO? Depending on the car you need, I got a full size (Altima) for $114 going to Port Canaveral and a full size (Altima) for $89.50 coming from Port Canaveral (both includes the car seat rental but need to pay for gas/tolls).

Not only is it cheaper than Disney transfers, I am on my own schedule.

I think the difference is we are not going directly from the ship to the airport. We are spending a few days in Cocoa Beach.

The total prices including parking are:
12 day rental car: $441.11
Two separate rentals before and after the cruise: $403.59.

So for $40 we have somewhere to store our car seats, whatever else we don't want to bring on the cruise and don't have to deal with renting a car after the cruise.

 

[FigmentSpark]

If it were me, I'd say that was totally worth the $40. Good find.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I think the difference is we are not going directly

Yep. It will be different for each person, their length of stay, their number of people, and what deals they could find.

For us, keeping one car the week we were on the cruise would have cost and extra $350. Definitely NOT worth the convenience.

Each person should consider all of these good options and what works best for them and fits their budget.

 

[smiths02]

When my son was 4 and we flew, I had him buckled in his car seat (FAA approved) on the plane

 

[hardis5]

I actually just read that WestJet (we're from Canada) allows you to bring car seats at no charge so if we're renting a car the entire time we might as well do that.

Most airlines will allow you to check a car seat at n/c when checking in with a child flying. Do not record as a piece of luggage if paying for and when getting to check-in you mention the car seat and they will print another tag for. We just bring clear bags to wrap the seat in. We've even flown Spirit (who would charge for cabin air if they could) from 2 US border cities to FLA and have never been charged for a child seat or booster tagged at check-in. We always prefer our own and have when doing 2 1-way rentals, just added to the luggage stored under the bed.

Check your rental prices often for our last sailing (where we did terminal parking) our original reservation 9 months out was the cheapest until a week prior and then I re-reserved at lower rates almost daily. Last summer we did two one-ways cheaper (4 days prior MCO to PC and a 1-day after PC to Tampa).

IMHO the ease in driving up to the terminal to walk-on (3rd level so the walk way is right there) and being able to wheel off your luggage right to your vehicle after is worth that $30-40 difference if the two scenarios are that close. When we end up parking at the terminal (or stay and cruise if a local hotel) we always unload some of our post-cruise gear or stuff bought prior we do not need for the cruise.