KarenScott
30-08-2007, 22:58
is it possible to hire a car to be picked up straight from the port?
floridageoff
30-08-2007, 23:24
Dollar have a depot at Fort Lauderdale and I'm fairly sure that they will run a free shuttle bus from the docks to their depot.
Yes, choose Dollar as the supplier as they run a free shuttle bus between the port and the airport.
See http://www.uscarhire.co.uk/faq-locations.aspx#24
Dollar do not have a car hire depot at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) It is based at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, and all cars must be picked up and returned here.
Dollar, plus most of the major car hire companies, are located in a special building at Fort Lauderdale Airport, to the left of the main terminal building, called the Rental Car Center. This is a relatively new purpose built area which houses Alamo, Avis, Dollar, Budget, Thrifty, National, Hertz, National, Enterprise, and a few more. You will find this building on the left hand side as you approach the airport terminal, and it is well signposted. Car returns are on different levels within the multi-storey car park.
Dollar does not have its own shuttle service. It is a common shuttle service and it is located outside the Rental Car Center. You will need to go down to the lower level and pick up the shuttle bus outside.
We have found that it is not worth wasting time waiting for the free shuttle as it can be very crowded with people going on a number of different cruises. It also goes to all the different ships so you may have a long wait, and a slow journey to each terminal. Instead, we normally cross over the footbridge which connects the Rental Car Center with the main airport terminal building, and outside you will find a very well organised taxi rank. The cost of a taxi to the port is approximately $10 though this may increase if it is a peak time, as every vehicle is checked going into the port, and all passports have to be shown. This can mean long queues at the dock gates, and adds to the return journey time of the shuttles. We waited over 40 minutes once, and eventually gave up. We find it much more comfortable to get our own taxi instead of heaving suitcases onto a crowded bus, and you will then go straight to your ship.
On the return journey we also get our own taxi. Again, for a relatively small amount it means you will not be waiting in the sun for your shuttle to arrive, and then have to fight your way on with your suitcases. The porter who takes your luggage from the luggage area, through customs will find you a taxi.
If you are going on a cruise, a good tip is to book a hotel overnight which has a free shuttle to Port Everglades - many do. You can then get rid of your car the night before and either get the free shuttle in the morning - far less hassle than getting rid of it in the morning as you have to go to the airport - or getting a taxi from the hotel to the port.[msnwink]
KarenScott
31-08-2007, 01:02
Thanks for your help, so far.:D
We will be flying in to Fort Lauderdale prior to the cruise and staying for a few days so will only need car hire after. We will want to pick up from the port drive to Orlando for the rest of our holiday and drop off at MCO at the end of our holiday[msncry] is this possible?
Yes, that is possible, to pick up in Fort Lauderdale and drop off at MCO. We have often done this.