[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]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

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

In March they were just $100pp

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

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Cruiseexpress.com. Yankee trails option

Ft. Lauderdale Cruise Express

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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 ?