Ft. Lauderdale, first time car help please.

[Timbaceleb]

Hi guys,

 

We're going on our first cruise from Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale next Easter on Celebrity Silhouette. We were going to hire a car both before and after our cruise with Avis. However we've read terrible things about their shuttle service (people waiting for hours etc) So now we're wondering if we should just keep the hire car and park at the port for the week of the cruise (the cost is around the same). Does anyone have any advice? Maybe we should be looking at a different rental company closer to the port? Also, not sure how easy and safe parking is? Any tips would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance,

Tim.

[sddsddean]

There are some rental offices near the port. Can't remember them all(!), but we used Budget in April. Picked up the car at Miami airport and dropped it at the office on 17th St, FLL which is almost opposite the port entrance. They run a shuttle bus for free though.

If you use Tesco and have got some vouchers, look at the car hire section on the Tesco website under clubcard rewards. We used vouchers with Affordable Car hire (doubled up the voucher too, so £10 for a £5 voucher) and only had to pay the insurance which was about £20 for the week! Well worth doing if you can.

 

Simon

[Timbaceleb]

Hi Simon, thanks very much for the advice. Good to know! Tim.

[WatchHill]

We rent from Enterprise - they have both an airport facility and one on S. Federal Highway - across from the port entry area.

 

In December we're heading to FLL, pickup up the car at the airport for a few days, and then returning it to the alternate location before the cruise.

 

Darcy

[luv2travel06]

Hi guys,

 

 

 

We're going on our first cruise from Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale next Easter on Celebrity Silhouette. We were going to hire a car both before and after our cruise with Avis. However we've read terrible things about their shuttle service (people waiting for hours etc) So now we're wondering if we should just keep the hire car and park at the port for the week of the cruise (the cost is around the same). Does anyone have any advice? Maybe we should be looking at a different rental company closer to the port? Also, not sure how easy and safe parking is? Any tips would be much appreciated.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Tim.

 

 

We either rent from Enterprise at the airport and return it the night before the cruise, taking the free shuttle back to the hotel where we take the hotel shuttle to the pier on the day of the cruise or return the car to the airport on the day of the cruise and take a taxi to the nearby pier for +/- $20.

[Clarea]

We dropped a car at Avis on 17th St last week. Waited for the shuttle maybe 15 minutes.

[Ashland]

The closest rental agency to the Port Everglades terminal gate is Thrifty/Dollar (on Miami Road)...they have a comp shuttle...very easy and quick. We've also used Budget on 17th Street...

 

I would avoid using any rental agency at FLL as those can come with higher fees.

 

Go with whatever company can give you the best rate...and if you belong to Costco check out their rental rate too.

 

Also check with the hotel you're staying at they might have a cruise/park package...but I would tend to opt not to park the car during my cruise....and instead do two different rental periods.

[Timbaceleb]

Thanks so much for all the advice guys!

[royalcruz]

Arrange the Avis location on SE 17th St as your dropoff location. If you don't want to take a shuttle it's only about $10 for a taxi to the port. It's only about $15 for a taxi from the airport location.