Using DCL transfers

[ClarabelleCow]

We are doing the 3 night cruise on 8/19, then on 8/22, we go to VWL, I tried to add transfers with Costco, they were able to add the 8/19 (MCO - Ship), but said to do the return to VWL on the ship? Is that true, or once I have my tickets in hand, could I then call DCL and add it. DH likes the idea of not handling the bags at all. Is that true. Will DCL get my bags off the turnstiles at the airport and we won't see them again unitl we get to our room?

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

If you're arriving the morning of the cruise, then yes, they will claim your bags and transfer them to the ship. If you arrive the night before, you have to claim them and then check them when you check in for the bus on the morning of the cruise.

As far as post-cruise, I'm not sure. The land portion of land-and-sea vacations are usually before the cruise, so I'm not sure if some of the DCL busses go to the resort from the port. You may want to call DCL to clarify. However, if you've booked through Costco, they would have to call to add the transfers, since they will own the reservation.

 

[hydster]

I'd check into a private car service as well. There are 5 of us and we used Southern Elegance Limousine http://www.southernelegancelimousines.com
and they were amazing! The driver loaded and unloaded all of our luggage for us...we just needed to get it out to him. We used them from POR to the port and back to MCO and never touched our luggage once we got it from bell service at POR and then we had a porter get our luggage for us at the port and transport it to our limo where our driver GEORGE loaded it for us! It was so nice and the limo was beautiful. For 5 of us from POR to the Port and back to Mco it cost us $250.00 total.

Heidi

 

[ksumom]

Thanks for the information! I've been trying to find a limo service and this one sounds wonderful! Which "character" did you have riding with you? We have a family of 6 and wondered if it would be too crowded.

Thanks again for the recomendation.

 

[Princess49]

We just got back from 5.13 wonder- we used DCL transfers & it was just fine. we got right on a bus from MCO & arrived at the port in just over an hour(there was quite a bit of construction work on the roads) we never had to touch our luggage it arrived in our room around 3pm. I'm still not sure how it worked for the transfers on the way back- they asked for our room card as proof of transfer & the woman looked at it- more like glanced at it & told us where to go. No where was it checked for our names or anything. & usually when we go to the airport they drop you at your airlines terminal but they dropped us down by ground tranfers so we had to take the elevators up- not a huge deal but strange. The only reason I would not use DCL is if there were a cheaper way for the 2 of us to go. But I think unless you have 3 people DCL is the smae price as anything else. Hope this helps!


oh, btw- the people in front of us at the airport forgot to put the luggage tags on their bags & DCL was still able to take descriptions of them & get them to the ship- it was four bags & a stroller. so DCL knows what they're doing!

 

[hydster]

We had Minnie mouse on the way back to the airport. It defiinitely would NOT be too crowded with 6! We had OOOODLES of room in the limo and they movies were awesome!! The way down the kids watch Lilo & Stitch and the way back they watched Sinbad! It was GREAT!!!! WHen/IF we ever go back to Orlando we will definitely use Southern Elegance! They were AWESOME TO WORK WITH!!!

Heidi

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Originally posted by Princess49
I'm still not sure how it worked for the transfers on the way back- they asked for our room card as proof of transfer & the woman looked at it- more like glanced at it & told us where to go. No where was it checked for our names or anything.

There is some type of notation on the room key that can tell a CM whether or not you've purchased transfers. Exactly what it looks like escapes me right now, but it's similar to the 'LAPLAPL' code which denotes your dining rotation.

Of course, if you purchase the transfers on board, I'm not sure how they tell if you're entitled to a bus ride.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

thanks everyone, I will wait till it gets closer to book the return and then return to MCO from VWL, I guess because we are not doing a Land/Sea package, that is why they can't book us from the ship to the resort. If I can't get the bus to the resort, I will just book a limo/towncar, and probably to the same from the resort to the airport on our day of departure.

 

[Princess49]

OOOH, I get it- I'm glad you told me because I felt like anyone could have hopped ona bus! At least I know everyone paid just like we did! Thanks!