Transportation options from Fort Lauderdale to the World?

[Dean1972]

My DW & I will arrive at the cruise terminal in Fort Lauderdale following a transatlantic cruise from Barcelona.

We will be staying at WDW / Universal hotels in Orlando from 9th December - 20th December
My question is : what travel options / costs are best to leave from the cruise terminal in Ft Lauderdale to Orlando?

It will be just DW & I & as we are from Australia ( & drive on the opposite side of the road as you guys ) we do not intend on renting a car & driving ourselves. driving ourselves scares the life out of me & having macular don't want to drive where m not familiar with. DW has flatly refused to drive . Lol

We will use Magical Express from the Beach Club to MCO, but are at a dilemma in how to get from cruise port to Orlando in general. Any suggestions? ... thanks..

 

[kab407]

You may be able to get a direct flight from FLL to MCO. Spirit Airlines may still have this route. The other option would be to hire a car service to drive you.

 

[glen65]

Renting a car in FLL and dropping it off in Orlando may be much cheaper than a flight or a car service.

 

[SteveMouse]

Renting a car in FLL and dropping it off in Orlando may be much cheaper than a flight or a car service.

OP stated they didn't want to self drive. The FLL airport is very close to Port Everglades ($15-$20 cab). SW Air discontinued their flights between FLL and MCO, but Spirit still flies the route.

A personal driver would be very expensive- it's about 3:45 one way.

There may be bus service, but I have no one that I can recommend.

 

[Dean1972]

Thanks for your info everyone

I have had. Look at flights with spirit at 10:15am depart from FLL.
Cruise ship ( Celebrity ) arrives at 6:00am ( without possible delays ) but I am not sure on actual disembarkation time & if we will be ready for the 10am flight ? .. Scared...
I might look into bus / shuttle services ( if any? ) - I didn't realise Orlando was almost 4 hours drive away. Lol

 

[Lewisc]

Check United (Silver Air?) Spirit luggage fees and 40lb weight will significany in increase your cost
Check with your cruise line. They might have a bus available.

 

[Dean1972]

Thanks for the tip. We will be arrivîng with luggage and would prefer to pay more for air fair if luggage is included.

Just hate getting what seems a reasonable price & then being 'nickel & dimed' for every surcharge permissible

Cheers

 

[JessM]

As long as you get off a early as they will allow and don't dilly dally you should be able to make a 10:15 flight. We've made a 930 flight with an hour to spare getting off a cruise in Ft lauderdale. Most people will say don't risk it but I would and have.

 

[SteveMouse]

Thanks for the tip. We will be arrivîng with luggage and would prefer to pay more for air fair if luggage is included.

Just hate getting what seems a reasonable price & then being 'nickel & dimed' for every surcharge permissible

Cheers

Do allocate sufficient time for customs and immigration. The staff at Pt Everglades is pretty efficient, but it still can take a few minutes. Cabs are available immediately outside the cruise terminal and are plentiful. FLL airport is pretty easy to navigate, although the food choices aren't that great. Unless you wanted to go on a tour of FLL or the Everglades, I would not be inclined to book transfers through the ship

(I grew up 5 minutes from Pt. Everglades- my mother is still in the house).

 

[NJRRK]

Thanks for the tip. We will be arrivîng with luggage and would prefer to pay more for air fair if luggage is included.

Just hate getting what seems a reasonable price & then being 'nickel & dimed' for every surcharge permissible

Cheers

You just described Spirit.

Another option is Amtrak (amtrak.com). About $38 per person to Kissimmee or Orlando.

And there is Florida Express bus, not sure of the cost (thefloridaexpressbus.com).

 

[SteveMouse]

You just described Spirit.

Another option is Amtrak (amtrak.com). About $38 per person to Kissimmee or Orlando.

And there is Florida Express bus, not sure of the cost (thefloridaexpressbus.com).

Yes, but the taxi to the train on the FLL end will be another $6 (you might want the Hollywood station rather than FLL as it may be a faster drive) and on the Kissimmee end another $20-40, depending on resort. Plus the train is sometimes (often?) delayed. The air route will enable the OP to use ME on the inbound. IF the ship is offering luggage service to FLL, that would only be for the airport, not to the train station.

 

[sam_gordon]

OP, we got off RCI's Oasis last month. We were "called" to disembark at 9:45, and were at the airport (we were renting a car there) by 11. I know RCI allows Oasis & Allure cruisers to "self disembark" as early at 6am. I don't know if Celebrity allows the same. I suggest checking at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/index.php.

Unless I had a lot of supporting evidence of being able to disembark by 7:30, I would not chance a 10:15 flight. That's me though. YMMV. As I mentioned, Oasis & Allure has a self disembark option and if I was on those ships, a 10:15 flight is doable.

 

[bdklein]

And there is Florida Express bus, not sure of the cost (thefloridaexpressbus.com).

Cheeck out

http://www.thefloridaexpressbus.com/fort-lauderdale-to-orlando-transportation.html

 

[Dean1972]

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone

I now have a little homework to do... Lol

 

[goofy4tink]

The bus mentioned above heads to MCO. You could take it there and then take DME to your resort. That might be an option.

 

[Dean1972]

Thanks, I could get a taxi from MCO to hotel ( we are staying offsite for a few days ) we will then be staying 3 nights @ Portofino bay ( universal)
And we will end out trip at the Beach Club where we can use ME from BCV to MCO for our flight home. Cheers

 

[joelkfla]

Thanks, I could get a taxi from MCO to hotel ( we are staying offsite for a few days ) we will then be staying 3 nights @ Portofino bay ( universal)
And we will end out trip at the Beach Club where we can use ME from BCV to MCO for our flight home. Cheers

Actually, the main stop for the bus looks to be in the I-Drive area, for $59 a person, or they will drop you at your hotel for $79 a person. There are additional charges for more than 1 bag per person.

 

[SteveMouse]

The bus mentioned above heads to MCO. You could take it there and then take DME to your resort. That might be an option.

Do check reviews of service providers!

 

[Dean1972]

Do check reviews of service providers!

Thanks I will have a look into this

 

[joelkfla]

Do check reviews of service providers!

Good point!

Here's another company that does not have so much negative press.
http://www.alltourtransportation.com/busline.php

Their Hollywood, FL pick-up is 7 mi. from Port Everglades, and their Orlando location is also in the I-Drive area.