Using Brightline to get to Port Everglades.

[Sabrina&Bill]

Going on a trans Atlantic cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale next May and thinking about using Brightline. Has anyone used Brightline to get to either Cruise Ports in FLL or Miami? I've spent an hour looking for info on the gobrightline.com site. Looks like you can pre book an Uber ride along with your train ticked to go the 4+ mile from the Ft. Lauderdale station to Port Everglades. I also see that you need to pay $25 per large suitcase if you plan to bring one. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[kkingston57]

Going on a trans Atlantic cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale next May and thinking about using Brightline. Has anyone used Brightline to get to either Cruise Ports in FLL or Miami? I've spent an hour looking for info on the gobrightline.com site. Looks like you can pre book an Uber ride along with your train ticked to go the 4+ mile from the Ft. Lauderdale station to Port Everglades. I also see that you need to pay $25 per large suitcase if you plan to bring one. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Used it to go to Miami from West Palm Beach in 2019. Great service and it was close to the port. Will be more expensive than if you take your own car. Parking is good at the Fort Lauderdale port.

[Babubhat]

Cruiseexpress.com. Yankee trails option

Ft. Lauderdale Cruise Express (https://book.thecruiseexpress.com/Tour/Ft-Lauderdale-Cruise-Express2)

Departure Info:
The Cruise Express Parking (13731 US 441, Lady Lake, FL 32159) - 6:30am
*Plantation Plaza (5327 US Highway 27 South, Leesburg, FL 34748) - 7:10am
*Port St. Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza - Mile Marker 144 on Florida Turnpike - 9:30am

*Parking is not available at these locations. They are are pick up/drop off only*
Return Information:
The bus will depart the pier between 9:30-10:00am. Please try to be off the ship and ready with baggage by 9:30am. One short rest stop will be made each way.

[Arctic Fox]

We have looked into it to get from TV to Port Everglades but it is quite expensive (even without the baggage charge) and by the time you add on the cost to get to MCO and the ride to the port it makes Cruise Express the clear winner.

However, we are coming back the other way in mid-May, when Cruise Express is no longer running, so we'll then be comparing Brightline with a flight. Or maybe a one-way car rental would be best, although we don't relish driving that far.

[pklein9747]

We've done several one way cruises out of Ft. Lauderdale and have found that the best way to get down there is to rent a car from Budget in Leesburg. We drive down the day before, stay over one night and then return the car to the Budget office on Miami Rd in Ft. Lauderdale. They will then shuttle you to the cruise port. I think rates are very reasonable for a one day rental. If you're an AARP member, use the discount for your rental.

[Ritagoyer]

Going on a trans Atlantic cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale next May and thinking about using Brightline. Has anyone used Brightline to get to either Cruise Ports in FLL or Miami? I've spent an hour looking for info on the gobrightline.com site. Looks like you can pre book an Uber ride along with your train ticked to go the 4+ mile from the Ft. Lauderdale station to Port Everglades. I also see that you need to pay $25 per large suitcase if you plan to bring one. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!
We are taking a transatlantic cruise in April and looked at options, of using the brightline also but found it expensive. We checked into using Enterprise car rental in Lake Sumpter Landing and found it is the best way to go. Pick up car the day before pack it leave the next morning. Port is about 2 miles from car rental. When we return we fly into Orlando and pickup car at airport. We thought of using Groom but if plain is late it can be a hassle to get a return to the Villages.

[jwk1101]

We are using Brightline for our January cruise. We'll park in offsite parking at MCO, take the train to Ft Lauderdale, Uber to the cruise terminal. We are returning from San Diego. We will fly back to MCO. Cost is a little high but this works best for us.
Cost: Brightline $118 (Black Friday rate), Parking about $250 (15 days). Uber to the port $25. I know there are less expensive ways but this is what works for us.

I'll give feedback on Brightline when we return.

[Bertram00]

We are using Brightline for our January cruise. We'll park in offsite parking at MCO, take the train to Ft Lauderdale, Uber to the cruise terminal. We are returning from San Diego. We will fly back to MCO. Cost is a little high but this works best for us.
Cost: Brightline $118 (Black Friday rate), Parking about $250 (15 days). Uber to the port $25. I know there are less expensive ways but this is what works for us.

I'll give feedback on Brightline when we return.

I don't know if your off airport parking is covered or not but if not you should consider On Air Parking Find your local airport and reserve the cheapest airport parking through On Air Parking. We guarantee the lowest rates with the most professional facilities. Free shuttles and cancellations are always included. Book now! (https://www.onairparking.com/) which is open parking and despite the name also off airport. They use some of the same lots you can find on your own but at deep discounts with free cancellation reservations.
The lots provide shuttle to MCO. You will probably find you can park for about one-fifth of the cost you mentioned. I have used them many times flying out of and into Orlando.

[Zenmama18]

We've done several one way cruises out of Ft. Lauderdale and have found that the best way to get down there is to rent a car from Budget in Leesburg. We drive down the day before, stay over one night and then return the car to the Budget office on Miami Rd in Ft. Lauderdale. They will then shuttle you to the cruise port. I think rates are very reasonable for a one day rental. If you're an AARP member, use the discount for your rental.

We did that for a Panama Canal cruise. Rented a car in the Villages and drove to Ft Lauderdale. Uber to the cruise terminal, then flight to MCO from LA at cruise end and Village Van service to our door.

[Gerrys]

Found out you can rent a car one way and turn it in at Fort Lauderdale or Miami. Many Enterprise rental companies in the area. Pick the one that is closest to the cruise port. Got a quote for $99.

[Get real]

Doesn't Brightline provide an UBER at both ends, up yo 25 miles?

[LucyP]

Going on a trans Atlantic cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale next May and thinking about using Brightline. Has anyone used Brightline to get to either Cruise Ports in FLL or Miami? I've spent an hour looking for info on the gobrightline.com site. Looks like you can pre book an Uber ride along with your train ticked to go the 4+ mile from the Ft. Lauderdale station to Port Everglades. I also see that you need to pay $25 per large suitcase if you plan to bring one. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Go Brightline on Facebook I read few people opinions very good. In Search put ..

[Fastskiguy]

Going on a trans Atlantic cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale next May and thinking about using Brightline. Has anyone used Brightline to get to either Cruise Ports in FLL or Miami? I've spent an hour looking for info on the gobrightline.com site. Looks like you can pre book an Uber ride along with your train ticked to go the 4+ mile from the Ft. Lauderdale station to Port Everglades. I also see that you need to pay $25 per large suitcase if you plan to bring one. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I hope you crack the nut on this. There are cheaper ways but I’m not sure there are any cooler ways to do it. Brightline for the win!

[asiebel]

We just booked a bus ride to the port through Yankee Trails in TV. We booked round trip and it worked out great! They take you and pick you up at the port!

[kingofbeer]

We've done several one way cruises out of Ft. Lauderdale and have found that the best way to get down there is to rent a car from Budget in Leesburg. We drive down the day before, stay over one night and then return the car to the Budget office on Miami Rd in Ft. Lauderdale. They will then shuttle you to the cruise port. I think rates are very reasonable for a one day rental. If you're an AARP member, use the discount for your rental.
Yankee Trails is $140 per person round trip. You don't have to rent a car, drive down there, and rent a hotel. This is a much better way to start your vacation.
The Cruise Express (https://book.thecruiseexpress.com/)

[carpej]

We have gone to Miami on Brightline and back. Also have used it locally in Fort Lauderdale , no problems. We just order an Uber the normal way when we get to the Fort Lauderdale station. And we use off airport parking in Orlando. We are going to use this method for a December cruise and are looking forward to it. The train ride is great and if you go smart class it is not much more expensive than the rental car option which we have used many times. By using Brightline we will be able to go down on the same day as the cruise thus saving on the hotel cost that we use when driving down. It doesn't make any difference whether you use the Turnpike all of the way or switch over to I95 at Ft. Pierce you always have the chance to encounter a lengthy traffic jam going down. We arrive more comfortably when going by train.

[Arctic Fox]

Yankee Trails is $140 per person round trip. You don't have to rent a car, drive down there, and rent a hotel. This is a much better way to start your vacation.
The Cruise Express (https://book.thecruiseexpress.com/)

In March they were just $100pp

Still the best way for us, but a 40% price jump?

[Pairadocs]

Cruiseexpress.com. Yankee trails option

Ft. Lauderdale Cruise Express (https://book.thecruiseexpress.com/Tour/Ft-Lauderdale-Cruise-Express2)

Departure Info:
The Cruise Express Parking (13731 US 441, Lady Lake, FL 32159) - 6:30am
*Plantation Plaza (5327 US Highway 27 South, Leesburg, FL 34748) - 7:10am
*Port St. Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza - Mile Marker 144 on Florida Turnpike - 9:30am

*Parking is not available at these locations. They are are pick up/drop off only*
Return Information:
The bus will depart the pier between 9:30-10:00am. Please try to be off the ship and ready with baggage by 9:30am. One short rest stop will be made each way.

Understand about bus transportation, looking for information on the "rather" new Brightline high speed train. Have you taken it ? What was your experience ? The "bus" option (been there done that) is MUCH slower than just driving, MUCH. But, how did YOU find the train experience (that was the question, not experience with buses) ? Thanks

[Pairadocs]

We have looked into it to get from TV to Port Everglades but it is quite expensive (even without the baggage charge) and by the time you add on the cost to get to MCO and the ride to the port it makes Cruise Express the clear winner.

However, we are coming back the other way in mid-May, when Cruise Express is no longer running, so we'll then be comparing Brightline with a flight. Or maybe a one-way car rental would be best, although we don't relish driving that far.

Let's face it, no quick or inexpensive ways to reach any cruise ports from The Villages. We've tried them all, buses, vans, etc. and as long as long as you make make arrangements ahead, renting a car is by far the least expensive and most convenient, but hoping to read about experiences folks have had with the new Brightline to Port Everglades from Orlando AP. Did you drive to Orlando and use AP parking ? Seems for a longer cruise (18, 21 days plus) that would be costly compared with taking a rental car to the airport or the Villages regular shuttle service to the AP and then board Brightline for Port Everglades ?