Renting a car to get to port?? Money saver?

[Scherzermk]

We are taking a 7 day cruise from port Canaveral in May. We typically drive the minivan to the port and park right there. However, for 8 days of fees, I am looking for ways to save on parking. We are coming in from a retirement community between Ocala and Orlando. I know about the 40% off if you stay near the port, but has anyone rented a car to save money? A quick search says the rental would be a total of $100 -$120 for the whole family. How much does this save me and how much time/frustration does renting a car take? Thanks

 

[MUN]

We are taking a 7 day cruise from port Canaveral in May. We typically drive the minivan to the port and park right there. However, for 8 days of fees, I am looking for ways to save on parking. We are coming in from a retirement community between Ocala and Orlando. I know about the 40% off if you stay near the port, but has anyone rented a car to save money? A quick search says the rental would be a total of $100 -$120 for the whole family. How much does this save me and how much time/frustration does renting a car take? Thanks

We do 2 one-way rentals and have found it is cheaper than other forms of transportation. Plus, we fly in a day or so before our cruise and the car gives us more flexibility.

MUN

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We are taking a 7 day cruise from port Canaveral in May. We typically drive the minivan to the port and park right there. However, for 8 days of fees, I am looking for ways to save on parking. We are coming in from a retirement community between Ocala and Orlando. I know about the 40% off if you stay near the port, but has anyone rented a car to save money? A quick search says the rental would be a total of $100 -$120 for the whole family. How much does this save me and how much time/frustration does renting a car take? Thanks

I found this online, http://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Directions-Parking

It's only $120 if you reserve and prepay and you park right there.

 

[Scherzermk]

Thanks so much. If it's the same price, it is much more convenient to park there.

 

[dmunsil]

There's an independent parking facility called Park N Cruise close to the port that has gotten good reviews. It's just across the bridge that connects Cape Canaveral to the mainland, so maybe 3 minutes from the port. They have a shuttle that goes back and forth every 15 minutes while ships are embarking or disembarking. We have not tried it but we've heard good things. They have some small discounts for AAA, AARP, Military and some other categories.

http://parkcruise.com/

Another option that might be worth considering is to stay one night at a local hotel that gives you 7 nights of parking with your 1-night stay, like the Country Inn or the Residence Inn. The cost of the stay will sometimes be as much or more as the cost of a week of parking, but it allows you to get there a night early, which is a little bit of a buffer in case you have problems. Usually they have a "cruise package" which is about $30-40 more than just the room by itself. That's a great deal if you were going to stay overnight anyway. And sometimes they have specials or AAA deals or something. We've done this at the Country Inn and it worked out fine. They have a shuttle that takes you to the port and picks you up when you get back. The shuttle is included in the cruise rate, but most people tip the shuttle driver a few bucks each way.

 

[hardis5]

We've done Country Inn's park and cruise twice for 7-day sailings without a problems. Figuring you are staying for $50+ (when taking off what it would cost to park at port), having access to a free (entertaining) shuttle both ways, and breakfast the morning, we have found for longer cruises it being a great option.

For a shorter cruise, we have parked at the terminal a rental which was cheaper even with parking than 2 1-way rentals.

Doing 1-way rentals can be a little stressful if not planned out well or anticipating what it will be like. I drop all off at the cruise terminal with luggage and drop-off the car alone. One would be surprised how many large parties with all their luggage wait impatiently at the rental locations for the shuttle to arrive and take them over. Being a single rider with no luggage, I can get (normally) on the first shuttle. Price out all options and plan well the option that balances your savings vs convenience scale. Ours always tilts towards savings and if convenience there or to be found, a bonus.

 

[JW9DVC]

Car rental has always been great for us. Much less than transfers, I get a corporate daily rate that allows 1 way rentals for same as round trip. So that does help.

We have priced out many options like Limo and shuttle. This saves considerably of $100s.

JW

 

[minorthr]

I priced out one way rentals and it was cheaper to keep the car and just park it at the port the entire time. That was for a 5 day cruise.

 

[JW9DVC]

I priced out one way rentals and it was cheaper to keep the car and just park it at the port the entire time. That was for a 5 day cruise.

Many are $35 a day. Depends on your rates or corporate discounts. Costco sometimes can help with this or your travel agent.

 

[minorthr]

Many are $35 a day. Depends on your rates or corporate discounts. Costco sometimes can help with this or your travel agent.

We are there a few days before and after and all the ones I looked at where cheaper keeping it even with paying for parking.

 

[JW9DVC]

Many have a weekly rate at $140. Seems like you have done your research and what works best for you. Good job!