Rental Cars and Port Canaveral

[abuck75]

I have a car rented from National to get to the ship, and just was wondering from others the best process. I assume there is a "Rental Car Bus" similar to airports. I will have DW(40) and DS(9) and (5) with me. It seems like it might be easier to drop them off with luggage first, and me return car *if* there are porters there we could tip to help my DW (with luggage).

I'm just wondering the best process for those who have utilized rental cars in and out of the port, and if there are employees to help with luggage (would be tipped).

 

[Juan M]

Cruised the Fantasy on 09/16 and we picked up a minivan from Enterprise in Orlando and i dropped off everyone at the curb in Port Canaveral. There was a porter right there with a dolly waiting to help take all checked bags from everyone and direct them on where to go into the terminal. It was a short 5 minute drive to return the car at Enterprise (which shares a building with Alamo and National) and they had mini buses lined up outside to take people back to terminal. I arrived late, about 2pm, so it was just me and one other person on the bus.

On the way back, we had a rental as well, but we all picked up bags at the terminal, again with a porter to help for a tip, and boarded the bus to the rental place together. really easy and totally the way to go in my opinion.

Hope this helps!

 

[MUN]

It seems like it might be easier to drop them off with luggage first, and me return car

IMHO, this is not easier. There can often be traffic at the port, so you wait to drop off passengers, get caught in traffic to drop off the car, wait to get on a shuttle, wait in traffic to get back to the port. Yuck! Not a good way to start a vacation. We've rented cars before, but we've stayed together, instead of making things "easier" by dropping people off at the port. IMHO, this is just STUPID! Why double the hill.

MUN

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I'd say this. If you are looking for the least total time, take all 4 of you to the rental place and all take their shuttle to the port. But if you want the least total hassle, to me dropping the family off is much better.

As you asked, there are porters right there to take your checked bags, so your wife and kids would only have to carry your carry-ons.

I dropped my wife and teen-aged sons off at the port, and yes then I had to drive to the car place, and then shuttle back to the port, so more total driving, but to me, so much more relaxing. My wife and kids went through security, checked in, and were having fun in the port (taking pictures etc.) while I only needed one spot on the shuttle bus and didn't have to lug any luggage. If all four of us were at the rental place, I would have had to carry a lot more luggage onto the shuttle. When I got back to the port, I zipped through security, checked myself in, and was ready by the time they called our boarding number. So for us, it was the right call.

For the return trip, we all caught the shuttle to the Rental Car place so we wouldn't have to go back to the port. Expect some lines for that, though.

 

[AndreAggie]

We did the same thing...husband dropped me and son off. I have one and he's 7. Big enough to carry his own bag, which was a backpack. We checked in quickly and our boarding group was called before he even got back. We rent with Avis and they're one of the further rental car places.

Are you renting a car after?

 

[abuck75]

I will be renting a car both ways.

At this point I think I'll drop off luggage and DW with the oldest. I'll bring the 5 yo with me to return the car.

Thanks everyone

 

[AndreAggie]

If you rent after, there are shuttles that pick. They. Take. Forever.

We were trying to get to WDW after our cruise. We did self-debarkation. Husband called AVIS as we were getting luggage and they said they'd be there shortly. 45 minutes later someone arrived, then we had to go pick up at 3 other cruise terminals. Next time we're calling Uber to take us to the rental car company.

 

[abuck75]

Thanks for the advice on pickup

 

[Capt_BJ]

Has a BUNCH to do with the day of the week you are talking about

or more correctly, how many ships are flipping on the day in question

If you are the only ship turning around ... the shuttles tend to be pretty quick. And the days with 5 big ones ...... do the math.

Yes the companies can bring in more drivers BUT ..... experience says a busy day is a busy day. even if you get a shuttle fast the line at the rental office is long.

 

[mmouse37]

Anyone dropping people at the port first....make sure you have government issued photo ID to get into the port on your return.

MJ