Cruise Express v Brightline

[Arctic Fox]

As previously posted, I was so shocked at the recent 70% increase in the one-way fare from Port Everglades to The Villages by Cruise Express that I decided to look at Brightline as an alternative means of transport.

I am happy to report that the train journey was slightly cheaper and more comfortable than taking the bus. It took a bit longer overall, but only because this was my first time of doing it. I caught the 10.20 train whereas I was there in time to catch the 09.20 (had my ticket allowed me to switch). Arriving at MCO I killed some time as my Groome connection was almost an hour away, and headed for the pick-up point to see the earlier bus backing out and leaving. Taking those hours off each end of the journey, as I hope to do next time, and the arrival time at my house would have been before the bus reached Bealls in Spanish Springs.

I shall certainly be using the train in future but, as mentioned in my last thread, be sure to keep a look out for discounted fares as they come up on a regular basis.

[Stu from NYC]

As previously posted, I was so shocked at the recent 70% increase in the one-way fare from Port Everglades to The Villages by Cruise Express that I decided to look at Brightline as an alternative means of transport.

I am happy to report that the train journey was slightly cheaper and more comfortable than taking the bus. It took a bit longer overall, but only because this was my first time of doing it. I caught the 10.20 train whereas I was there in time to catch the 09.20 (had my ticket allowed me to switch). Arriving at MCO I killed some time as my Groome connection was almost an hour away, and headed for the pick-up point to see the earlier bus backing out and leaving. Taking those hours off each end of the journey, as I hope to do next time, and the arrival time at my house would have been before the bus reached Bealls in Spanish Springs.

I shall certainly be using the train in future but, as mentioned in my last thread, be sure to keep a look out for discounted fares as they come up on a regular basis.

Good to know, thanks for sharing.

[asianthree]

So you used groome for transport to/from airport, then bright line to Miami. Did you then take a Uber to/from port? Any problems with luggage?

We are considering going to the keys, instead of driving taking brightline and renting a car. Thoughts

[Pairadocs]

We too had thought about using Brightline, but hesitated after thinking what the TOTAL cost might be ? For instance, when we use the C. Ex. bus service we can drive to Beall's dept. store and park in their far lot. We avoid taxi costs from our village. We arrive at the port (Miami, Everglades, etc.), our luggage is off loaded right at the check-in. I was thinking, Taxi or other cost to get to train station (I assume is in Orlando ?), when arriving in Port E.,or in Miami, then cab or uber to get to the port ? Then at debarkation, must get cab or uber to train station I assume ? The C. Ex. bus is always right at the port waiting at debarkation, so wondering how it adds to expense to get transportation from port to the train station ? Then again after arrival back to Orlando, what is the cost to get from train station back to Villages ? Just wondering if, even after the increase, if the C. Ex. bus is not the most economical after all ? ? Anyone figured up all the costs involved ?

[Arctic Fox]

Just wondering if, even after the increase, if the C. Ex. bus is not the most economical after all ? ? Anyone figured up all the costs involved ?

If you are doing a return trip with Cruise Express it is still $140, so would be the cheapest

It is only because they increased the one-way from $70 to $120 that we even considered Brightline

[Arctic Fox]

So you used groome for transport to/from airport, then bright line to Miami. Did you then take a Uber to/from port? Any problems with luggage?

We are considering going to the keys, instead of driving taking brightline and renting a car. Thoughts

We took a normal cab from the port to the station (Mrs Fox hasn't got around to loading the Uber app yet) and Groome at this end. Were met at Lake Sumter by the Groome minibus.

All trundling distances were short so luggage was easy - although we do travel light

[kkingston57]

As previously posted, I was so shocked at the recent 70% increase in the one-way fare from Port Everglades to The Villages by Cruise Express that I decided to look at Brightline as an alternative means of transport.

I am happy to report that the train journey was slightly cheaper and more comfortable than taking the bus. It took a bit longer overall, but only because this was my first time of doing it. I caught the 10.20 train whereas I was there in time to catch the 09.20 (had my ticket allowed me to switch). Arriving at MCO I killed some time as my Groome connection was almost an hour away, and headed for the pick-up point to see the earlier bus backing out and leaving. Taking those hours off each end of the journey, as I hope to do next time, and the arrival time at my house would have been before the bus reached Bealls in Spanish Springs.

I shall certainly be using the train in future but, as mentioned in my last thread, be sure to keep a look out for discounted fares as they come up on a regular basis.

Did not give prices. What were the costs both ways. 70% is a big % difference, but if Cruise Express was $100 before it would be $70 higher(total $170) and if Cruise was $50 and went up 70% it would be $35 higher(total $85.00)

We are going to Fort Lauderdale in late December and driving still looks to be the best way to go $$$ wise

[GreggC69]

Why not just drive and park at a "Park and Cruise" lot?

[Arctic Fox]

Did not give prices. What were the costs both ways. 70% is a big % difference, but if Cruise Express was $100 before it would be $70 higher(total $170) and if Cruise was $50 and went up 70% it would be $35 higher(total $85.00)

The return trip is $140. The one-way trip used to be half that - $70 - but has recently been bumped up 70% to $120.

[Arctic Fox]

Why not just drive and park at a "Park and Cruise" lot?

1) My golf cart won't go that far (and I don't have a car); and

2) I was on a one-way transatlantic cruise, flying out of MCO and sailing back in to Port Everglades.

[MrChip72]

Renting a car one way from TV (Leesburg) to the port seems like a much more relaxing, cheaper and faster option to me.

Almost all of the rental drop-offs near the port offer a free shuttle to the cruise port. I just checked what it would cost this month, and most days a one way rental to the port area of Fort Lauderdale would be $70 or less.

It's an easy drive, just hop on the turnpike and set the cruise control to 75. Drive a couple of hours, stop for lunch or a snack, drive two more hours and then you're there.

[Luckytwo]

We took Uber from Miami port to train station for $15.

[Stu from NYC]

Why not just drive and park at a "Park and Cruise" lot?

If we did that would go a day early and factor in cost of hotel for one night.

[2newyorkers]

If you are sailing Princess they have an agreement with Brightline including transfers.

[Arctic Fox]

If you are sailing Princess they have an agreement with Brightline including transfers.

Yes, we saw the adverts onboard the train. I think Cunard are starting something too, so maybe all cruise lines will or BrightLine will start a shuttle to/from the cruise port.

[Arctic Fox]

Renting a car one way from TV (Leesburg) to the port seems like a much more relaxing, cheaper and faster option to me.

We did look into car rental, but the cheapest was $180 from Fort L. to TV - probably because it was within a week (as we were planning to book Cruise Express). We would also have to factor in getting to TV from Leesburg, the gas and the tolls.

[Pairadocs]

If you are doing a return trip with Cruise Express it is still $140, so would be the cheapest

It is only because they increased the one-way from $70 to $120 that we even considered Brightline

Ok, got it. Thanks for the that clarification. So if one were taking a point to point cruse and then having to fly home, rather than a round trip cruise, getting to the debarkation port would be less expensive via Brightline even figuring in the uber/cab fares involved.

[Stu from NYC]

Ok, got it. Thanks for the that clarification. So if one were taking a point to point cruse and then having to fly home, rather than a round trip cruise, getting to the debarkation port would be less expensive via Brightline even figuring in the uber/cab fares involved.

I read recently one of the cruise lines offered a free shuttle from brightline to port. Do not remember which one.

[kkingston57]

Renting a car one way from TV (Leesburg) to the port seems like a much more relaxing, cheaper and faster option to me.

Almost all of the rental drop-offs near the port offer a free shuttle to the cruise port. I just checked what it would cost this month, and most days a one way rental to the port area of Fort Lauderdale would be $70 or less.

It's an easy drive, just hop on the turnpike and set the cruise control to 75. Drive a couple of hours, stop for lunch or a snack, drive two more hours and then you're there.


We did that and saw several other customers doing the same. Car cost us $70 for two days and we had 4 travelers in the mini van

[kkingston57]

We did look into car rental, but the cheapest was $180 from Fort L. to TV - probably because it was within a week (as we were planning to book Cruise Express). We would also have to factor in getting to TV from Leesburg, the gas and the tolls.

Wow, we paid $70 to go from TV to Ft. Lauderdale in April. Seasonal rates must apply

[carpej]

As previously posted, I was so shocked at the recent 70% increase in the one-way fare from Port Everglades to The Villages by Cruise Express that I decided to look at Brightline as an alternative means of transport.

I am happy to report that the train journey was slightly cheaper and more comfortable than taking the bus. It took a bit longer overall, but only because this was my first time of doing it. I caught the 10.20 train whereas I was there in time to catch the 09.20 (had my ticket allowed me to switch). Arriving at MCO I killed some time as my Groome connection was almost an hour away, and headed for the pick-up point to see the earlier bus backing out and leaving. Taking those hours off each end of the journey, as I hope to do next time, and the arrival time at my house would have been before the bus reached Bealls in Spanish Springs.

I shall certainly be using the train in future but, as mentioned in my last thread, be sure to keep a look out for discounted fares as they come up on a regular basis.

We have done it a few times both ways from MCO to cruise ports in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. We drive to MCO from TV park at off airport private parking (pre booked to save money). They take you directly to the train station at MCO and back. At the cruise ports we call Uber when we get there (did not book in advance) both to and from the train station. The Uber costs were around 15.00 and a 5>00 tip for 20.00 total each way. Our waits at both the port and train station were always less than 15 minutes mostly less than 10 minutes. Riding the train was much more relaxing than driving and when we drove we always went down the day before to cover for problems along the way. On the train always the same day. Brightline is now our go to for south Florida.

[MrChip72]

We did look into car rental, but the cheapest was $180 from Fort L. to TV - probably because it was within a week (as we were planning to book Cruise Express). We would also have to factor in getting to TV from Leesburg, the gas and the tolls.

I've never heard of a 1 day rental being $180 except during March break or Christmas so that must've been because of very short notice. Usually when I get a car from Leesburg to just take one way to Orlando airport the next day it's around $55 including their prepaid tolls.

There are no tolls between TV and any main Leesburg rental car company. How much would gas possibly be? $1 from Brownwood area, or $2 from LSL?

[Arctic Fox]

There are no tolls between TV and any main Leesburg rental car company. How much would gas possibly be? $1 from Brownwood area, or $2 from LSL?

I was referring to the tolls and gas to get from Fort Lauderdale to Leesburg, plus the taxi from Leesburg to TV after dropping off the rental car. These all have to be factored into the cost of driving back from the cruise port, as opposed to taking Cruise Express or Brightline.

Apologies if my wording didn't make that clear.

[MrChip72]

I was referring to the tolls and gas to get from Fort Lauderdale to Leesburg, plus the taxi from Leesburg to TV after dropping off the rental car. These all have to be factored into the cost of driving back from the cruise port, as opposed to taking Cruise Express or Brightline.

Apologies if my wording didn't make that clear.

Tolls from TV to Fort Lauderdale is $16. Gas would likely be around $50. Taxi from LSL to Leesburg area where most of the car rentals are (441) is around $45.

I still don't see how Brightline could be faster, cheaper or involve less steps.

[Salty Dog]

We just drive to and from rental car location with our personal vehicle. We pick up the rental car the afternoon before and drive home. We leave from home with the rental car to MCO or the port. There is a rental car drop-off at Terminal C where Brightline station is. Upon return we drive a rental car to house and then one of us drives our vehicle to pickup where the rental car is dropped off.

[Rollie]

I read recently one of the cruise lines offered a free shuttle from brightline to port. Do not remember which one.

I think it was Princess. They're even suppose to have a specially painted rail car.

Rollie

[harby]

fyi, there s about $60 for a round trip (from Orlando to Miami Airport) on Red Coach bus. It has many schedules to depart and arrive and usually takes 4hrs each way. Get cheaper flight fares from Miami to Cairo instead of Orlando (and less time flying). Chas

[Arctic Fox]

fyi, there s about $60 for a round trip (from Orlando to Miami Airport) on Red Coach bus. It has many schedules to depart and arrive and usually takes 4hrs each way. Get cheaper flight fares from Miami to Cairo instead of Orlando (and less time flying). Chas

Interesting. Thank you, Harby.

[Arctic Fox]

Tolls from TV to Fort Lauderdale is $16. Gas would likely be around $50. Taxi from LSL to Leesburg area where most of the car rentals are (441) is around $45. I still don't see how Brightline could be faster, cheaper or involve less steps.

It was cheaper for us because the one way (last minute) rental was so expensive.

One must also expect to pay more if you have someone else doing the driving, be it a taxi, a bus or a train.

[Ecuadog]

I read recently one of the cruise lines offered a free shuttle from brightline to port. Do not remember which one.

Princess-Brightline offer... click here (https://www.gobrightline.com/offers/princess-cruises).

[flsteve]

1) My golf cart won't go that far (and I don't have a car); and

2) I was on a one-way transatlantic cruise, flying out of MCO and sailing back in to Port Everglades.


I did item#2 a couple months ago, but in reverse. Drove to Lauderdale and used "Park by the Ports", as they service both cruise terminals and airport terminals. We drove down and parked as they moved all our luggage onto the nice shuttle and drove us to check-in where they unloaded our luggage. 18 days later, we flew in from New York and their bus met us at the airport. They moved our luggage and took us directly to our parked car.

All of this cost $118 total for the 18 days. The location is actually in Dania, FL if you search it up. I would not hesitate to do this again, and likely will.

[Arctic Fox]

I did item#2 a couple months ago, but in reverse. Drove to Lauderdale and used "Park by the Ports", as they service both cruise terminals and airport terminals. We drove down and parked as they moved all our luggage onto the nice shuttle and drove us to check-in where they unloaded our luggage. 18 days later, we flew in from New York and their bus met us at the airport. They moved our luggage and took us directly to our parked car. All of this cost $118 total for the 18 days. The location is actually in Dania, FL if you search it up. I would not hesitate to do this again, and likely will.

There are certainly plenty of alternatives to an expensive one-way Cruise Express out there.