Renting A Car To Get To Cruise?

Question

We are setting sail with Carnival Cruise Lines from Miami September 24, but the 23rd we are flying in to Fort Lauderdale. It was cheaper for us to fly into FLL.

Carnival wants $120 for my husband and I to transport us to and from Miami.

Someone suggested renting a car.

Has anyone done this?

We would be renting a car Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, taking it to Miami, and then vice versa.

Would it be better to go this rout?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I did this, but only one way.  I flew into Miami in August 2004 and took a taxi to the port.  One week later I rented a car from Hertz, spent the day at the beach and the night in a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale.  Then flew home the following morning from the airport in Ft. Lauderdale.

You need a rental car company that will allow you to drive a car one way and has rental offices in both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.  I know Hertz allows this.  I believe Avis will also.

To make this work you have to return the car to the rental company during the cruise.  Otherwise, the additional rental while you are not using the car and the cost of parking the car will exceed the fee Carnival wants to charge you.

Answer 2

I am taking a cruise out of Miami and flying to Ft. Lauderdale two days early. We are renting a car and having a pre-vacation before the cruise. There is a lot to see in the area. We are dropping the car near the Miami port and they are taking us to the ship.

Answer 3

$120 would be cheaper than renting a car, unless you have a coupon. I'd just pay the fee and not worry about the rent-a-car hassle.

Answer 4

Sure, you can do a one day rental from FLL returning to MIA for under $30.  Just tell Carnival that you are coming into MIA and get the ground transportation to the cruise ship terminal from there.  They don't need to know HOW you are getting to MIA...  In case they want a flight number, do a search in advance for flights from where you are to MIA that arrive at about the time you want to arrive at the airport and give them that number.

Answer 5

I have rented a car and paid about $40 for a one way rental. It worked well since there were 4 of us.

Also go to the airports website. They have a transport company listed and thier prices I think were $36 round trip.

Answer 6

I, too, fly into Ft. Lauderdale because it is much cheaper from my airport city.  I fly in the day before the cruise (don't want to miss the ship due to airline delays)...I rent a car in Ft. Lauderdale and drop the car off at the hotel in Miami where I am staying.  Several car companies offer this option.

On the return, I use Carnival's transfer for $30.00 per person on the return as there is no one-way car rental available at the Port for drop off in Ft. Lauderdale.

Just did this in August and the car rental was 28.64 including tax.

Answer 7

you might find that paying the cruise line the $120.00 total is Cheaper than renting a car. It would be less hastle.  That is what i would do.

Answer 8

there are taxis and transportation u can get to take u from fll to the port.. We are also flying to fll ( cause it is cheaper) but we have looked around for transportation. do a google search for trasportation or taxi from fll to miami port. there are some that charge like 18 per person to 30 per person

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

i do not think that you are charged a drop off fee for anywhere in the state of florida.  go to cruisecrutics.com and check with the cruises on your chip / in the roll call section.  they should know / maybe you can share a van.  good luck and bon voyage.