Cruise Express rip-off
 

We have been using Cruise Express (formerly Yankee Trails) to get to and from Fort Lauderdale for at least a decade, often one-way for Transatlantic cruises.

We have been very happy with the service and have recommended them frequently on this forum.

The price has gone up regularly, but the recent leap is obscene. In March 2023 we paid $100 for two people to go one way. Today they quoted me $240 for the same trip.

The return fare is $140 per person, which is reasonable, but to charge almost that for one-way is daylight robbery.

I take Groome to Orlando Airport and from there I take Brightline to Fort Lauderdale

Yes, it is no longer the great deal that it was. However, it is still the most painless way to get there. I miss the pickup at the corner of 44 and 301.

We have used them several times but now the price is up there.

Wonder why such a large increase?

Have thought of doing this for next cruise but after paying both charges not really saving anything.

Just go to Budget and rent a car one way to the cruise terminal office. Opt in for e-toll and all your tolls are covered for $12. Free shuttle to the cruise terminal. Right at $100 all in.

I recently purchased a 2 week expensive cruise with Yankee Trails, in the past they included free transportation to Ft.Lauderdale. Now they wanted to charge me $280 r/t for 2 people, I said if you include the bus I'll book the trip. The agent after a few eye rolls said okay, she made a nice commission and we got the bus - which was always new and modern & excellent driver.

We are exploring all options but currently the one-way car rental is $180

Leaning towards Brightline as we have been wanting to try that anyway

Toyota Camry or similar $88.

We usually rent a car through Costco for ~$100. Pick it up in Leesburg the day before and drop it off at FLL. Then Uber to the port.

jacksonla
 

We only wanted to go from Tampa international to Winter Haven. Not bad renting a car for $54 one way

Cheapest price on the day we want to travel is $175.50 :-(

Just booked Brightline for $89 so adding in Groome will still be considerably cheaper than Cruise Express.

Please report back on how this worked. How will you get from train station to cruise terminal? Are you going down the day before?

I might be wrong but recently there was a posting where someone had mentioned, driving down the day before and staying at a hotel that had a shuttle to and from the ports and placing their car in long time parking. I'm not sure if the total cost was more or less but to me that would be a more comfortable way to start a vacation.

It really depends on the length of the cruise. Our last one was 35 days long out of Boston. Not even close to being cheaper. Maybe 7 days or less.