How to get to Port. How do you?

[SuperCoolOne]

We are also in upstate NY and cruising out of Jacksonville in a few weeks.

 

I think, if our kids were older, we may have attempted the 20 or so hour drive each way.

But, after pricing everything out and factoring in the extra time off needed, we opted to fly in.

 

Amtrak was ridiculous in both cost and time needed. We fooled around with the days flying out and with airports. We are driving an hour away and flying out a day early as that saved us almost 1 thousand dollars.

 

Hotel cost wasn't a factor for us as we had points for free stays.

[CBTwi]

I fly. I can fly across the country in six hours. I'm not spending 20 hours cooped up on a car when flying would take only two hours.

 

By the way, who is going to sit in the middle? That poor kid is not going to be very happy.

 

Also, unless you intend to store some of the luggage on your lap, I suggest you rent a van. That will have the advantage of additional room.

 

You might also want to look into taking the train. I don't normally recommend the train, but at least you can get up and walk around, which makes it a better choice than a car.

 

We dont really have kids. My bro is 17 but he's not really a kid. We are getting a large SUV. so a Yukon or similar that is meant to seat 7. So 4 regular seats and the long 3 seater in the back (most likely for Bro) leaves plenty of room for luggage in back trunk area as well as in between middle seats and such. A regular 5 seat car totally wouldn't cut it because we're all adult sized people haha

[CBTwi]

I've cruised from 18 ports, 8 of which I was able to drive. Right now with the way DW and I feel about flying, if I can't drive to a port, I won't cruise from that port. Fortunately, I am in Florida so I have quite a number of ports and ships I can sail without flying.

 

I usually rent a car one way, each way, when I cruise. Most rental companies do not have drop charges for Florida to Florida rentals. Generally, even if you need a taxi to get to the pier (Avis, Miami), it is cheaper than parking. Why drive my own car and put the wear and tear on it and then pay more to park than 2 one day rentals would cost? I can also understand that most people don't own cars that would accommodate cruise luggage for large groups.

 

You may find a $200-300 drop charge for one way rentals from/to NY. You probably are not cruising when the rental companies are offering low rates for one way rentals north. I think that may end in April or May. It doesn't hurt to check. So, you may have a $200-300 drop charge each way for one way rentals. If your dad has any affiliations--company, association group, alumni group, etc--they may have a contract with a rental company that allows one way rentals with no drop charge. Could be true for anyone in your group. Check your university, too.

 

Allegiant Air does have some great rates to Sanford. You just have to hope there's an airport near you they fly from. Once in Sanford, you can get the great one way Florida rental rates. Generally though, their best rates are mid week and that may not fit your work schedules.

 

Whether you drive your own car or a rental car for 8 days, there are at least 4 hotels in the Port Canaveral area that offer free parking and free shuttle if you stay at least one night.

 

When we lived in Penna, we would drive to Florida with the kids. Leave after dinner (5pm or so) and arrive in Daytona around 7am (or so). The kids would fall asleep around 8pm and it would be quiet over night. Also, less traffic, no sun glare, cooler, etc. Just have to plan your gas stops because not all stations are open over night. If 3 or 4 passengers are sleeping over night, you shouldn't consider their cost as $7.50 an hour.

 

If you want to factor in the cost of your time, consider the time to get to an airport, the time to spend two hours ahead of your flight time, the flight time, an hour to wait for your luggage to show up and the time to get from the airport to your destination. Add in any waiting time if you have a connecting flight and then of course, any delay time due to mechanical failures, weather etc. That could easily account for at least half the drive time.

 

To avoid an airport now is worth $200 per hour to me. I would drive to Nassau if I could!

 

I think we would look into a hotel that had the park and shuttle. Are these ones very close to the port? Would you advise we call around and ask? I'm sure my dad can stumble upon a good deal. He's a business man with a way wiht words :D

[masterbaker]

I think we would look into a hotel that had the park and shuttle. Are these ones very close to the port? Would you advise we call around and ask? I'm sure my dad can stumble upon a good deal. He's a business man with a way wiht words :D

 

Everything you need to know is in post #5 of the thread i'm linking here.... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1119114

[CBTwi]

Everything you need to know is in post #5 of the thread i'm linking here.... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1119114

 

Thank you!

[cruznlobo]

Try sidestep.com. You can find some incredible flight deals there.

Try priceline for car rentals. We got $10 a day last January.

We got flight vouchers from directair.com, leaving from our local airport for $149 round trip (Niagara Falls ,NY to Melbourne, FL).

Gonna try priceline again for the rental car.

Next January we are flying directair and gonna rent a car in Melbourne and keep it the whole time we are down there. We will pay for parking at the Port ($70). We stay 2 days pre and 1 day post cruise in Cocoa Beach.

We ususally fly jetblue but couldn't beat the price this next cruise.

We will pay the extra $$$ for convenience. Like the car at the port. So much nicer getting off the 'boat' and walking to your car, rather than waiting for a cab or bus or shuttle.

It's our vacation and we don't want any stress related to it.

Mike & Vicki

[miched]

We have found that driving is just more relaxing. We drive from Mi to Fl. Don't have to sit next to crying screaming babies, people wearing way too much deodorant or perfume and etc. Can also take as much luggage we want and don't worry about weather, delays and etc.

 

Leave early enough to relax and allow for certain delays and treat the time as a extended vacation.

 

We park the car at the port. Not really much more than parking at the airport.

 

Also like leaving out of NY. Only 600 mile for us and we spend the night before in AC at a casino that we usually get for "free".

[Fighterone]

Both are just as bad, since "I hate everything".

 

Freeways of death is what driving has become, at least here, in Texas.

 

I am fortunate to have Galveston, fairly close, but do want to experience newer ships in Florida. We will fly there! It would be an absolute calvary for me to drive or even to just sit in a car for that long while someone else is driving. I have done enough driving trips.

 

Now, New Orleans, I might consider, since it's not too far.

NY to Fla. no way! we are a flyin!!!

[CBTwi]

I drove 12 hours before (I drove 2 of the 12 lol) we went from up up state down to NYC and then all the way across PA. That was a journey.. but it was 4 people in a cramped car. But It wasn't miserable and I didn't feel ucky afterwards..for one of my jobs we travel a lot to follow tours, especially in New England etc.. so at least myself and my dad are very accustomed to driving and SO drove 15 hours from Chicago to NY so he's a trooper haha