[784caroline]

Has anyone looked into renting a car one way to the port at Ft lauderadle and then the following week getting a return rental back to The VIlages????

Pro/con/cost?,,,compared to simply driving and using on-site parking!

[l597222]

Using these estimated costs, I think its a wash.
Rental, $50 / day - 2 days = $100
Own car - $15 / day parking fee @ port = $105
Assume gas is the same
Renting has the hassle of dropping off and picking up vehicle @ each end plus the extra time to do this and fill out paper work
I would drive my own car.

[smurphy]

Originally Posted by l597222

Using these estimated costs, I think its a wash.
Rental, $50 / day - 2 days = $100
Own car - $15 / day parking fee @ port = $105
Assume gas is the same
Renting has the hassle of dropping off and picking up vehicle @ each end plus the extra time to do this and fill out paper work
I would drive my own car.

Your cost estimates presume 2 one-way rentals at $50 each, plus taxes and fees. Some rental companies have hefty drop off fees for a 1-way rental, unless you are going airport-to-airport. Check the fine print in the rental agreement.

[sralph99]

My neighbor rents from Hertz whenever they cruise out of Ft Lauderdale. There is no drop off fees but the rental car is more then $50. If you own an older car it's nice to be able to make the drive in a new rental.

[NECHFalcon68]

I decided to drive my own car, and park in the garage. Cost to park was $210 for a 14- day cruise. You can get cheaper rates in off site parking but we chose not to go there.
Rental, with HERTZ, and USAA discounts was $82 to FLL, but $102 back to TV. And the drop off and pick up point in FLL was the airport, so a cab ride was needed in both directions. Plus getting to SS to pick up and drop off the car in TV.
I was more comfortable with my own car.

[bdabob]

I was told recently by an auto rental agency that by law rental companies cannot charge one way drop off fees in Florida.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by bdabob

I was told recently by an auto rental agency that by law rental companies cannot charge one way drop off fees in Florida.

That may be true but, just out of interest, I went on the Hertz site to see:

A one-day rental TV-TV costs $47 for a Kia Rio

The exact same booking, but TV to Miami (not airport), costs $74

An extra $37, but no mention of a one-way drop-off charge...

I then looked at Miami-Miami and it was $44

[784caroline]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought I would just check out my options.

BTW how many hours should I plan for the drive to Ft Lauderdale from TV on a Sunday???

[George Bieniaszek]

Originally Posted by 784caroline

Thanks for all the replies. I thought I would just check out my options.

BTW how many hours should I plan for the drive to Ft Lauderdale from TV on a Sunday???

Using Google Maps, it is approximately 270 miles to the Port from TV so figure just over 4 hours to get there but with a rest stop and traffic, you should allow 4.5 to 5 hours.

[Becky]

Have you thought of using Cruise Connection? They pickup and drop off at McDonalds on 441 across from Walmart. YOu can contact them at: Toll-free: 888-501-5388
info@cruiseconnection.travel

[HMLRHT1]

We are using Park N Go near Port Everglades and the airport for $7.99 a day. We r leaving Sunday March 17 for a 10 day cruise. No hassle and the shuttle is free and quick.

[gjbl8114]

Originally Posted by l597222

Using these estimated costs, I think its a wash.
Rental, $50 / day - 2 days = $100
Own car - $15 / day parking fee @ port = $105
Assume gas is the same
Renting has the hassle of dropping off and picking up vehicle @ each end plus the extra time to do this and fill out paper work
I would drive my own car.

Why bother??? Take the Cruise Connection Bus and relax in knowing that you will have immediate access to the port. Surely a neighbor will take you to the pickup point for the bus. We use it all the time and it is a most relaxing trip without worry with driving and being tied up in traffic and exhausted both mentally and physically upon reaching the port and returning home. Do yourself a favor, take the coach.

[sralph99]

If you rent from Hertz and drive to Port Everglades, select the location at Port Everglades (State Rd 84). It is nearby and they will shuttle you to your ship.

[billethkid]

also allow another hour for traffic as you approach Ft. L and the security to get onto the port property (in your car). Sometimes it is a breeze and other times a real pain time wise.

Then there is a bit of time after you drop luggage at pier to go park and walk back to boarding area......only to stand in line and wait to board.....if they allow 4 hours to board, resist the temtation to get there "early" as you will only wait in line. If you get there the 3rd and 4th hour there is rarely much of a wait at all.

Enjoy the cruise.

Like all other mass transportation, getting there and departing for home are the most annoying.
btk

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by gjbl8114

Why bother??? Take the Cruise Connection Bus and relax in knowing that you will have immediate access to the port. Surely a neighbor will take you to the pickup point for the bus. We use it all the time and it is a most relaxing trip without worry with driving and being tied up in traffic and exhausted both mentally and physically upon reaching the port and returning home. Do yourself a favor, take the coach.

I am on that cruiseconnections bus as I am writing this post. Very nice bus. We picked it up just outside The Villages and it is a smooth ride.

Free wifi, too!

On the way to the CelebrityEclipse at Ft Lauderdale for a two week Caribbean cruise!!