Ease of getting a car from cruise terminal

Question

I will be returning from an MSC cruise 7:00am on sunday morning, August 10th in Port Canaveral and would like to pick up a rental car. Where should I reserve a car? How far from the cruise terminal are the rental car agencies? What is the easiest way to get to them? It looks like Budget and Enterprise are the best bets. Thanks.

Answer

Picking up a rental car after your cruise in Port Canaveral is fairly straightforward, and there are a few options available for you to consider. Here's a breakdown of the key details:

1. Rental Car Agencies Near Port Canaveral: The cruise terminal in Port Canaveral is close to several rental car agencies, including Budget and Enterprise, which are two of the most common options for cruise passengers. These rental locations are located just a few minutes from the cruise terminal, but it’s important to note that they are not within walking distance. You will need a shuttle or a short taxi/ride-share to get to the car rental locations.

2. Where to Reserve: You can book your rental car directly with the agencies at Port Canaveral. Both Budget and Enterprise have rental desks nearby. You can reserve a car online ahead of time to ensure availability and possibly save some money by locking in a rate in advance. Some services, like Enterprise, also offer a "Pick up at the cruise terminal" option, where the rental agent will meet you at the terminal and take you to the car location.

Budget: Budget's rental office is located at 8501 Astronaut Blvd, just a few minutes from the cruise terminal. Budget also offers a shuttle service that will take you from the cruise terminal to their office, which is free for cruise passengers.
Enterprise: Enterprise’s office is located at 9150 Charles M Rowland Dr. Similar to Budget, they provide a shuttle service that will take you from the cruise terminal to their location. You can also reserve a car at the terminal itself.

3. How to Get to the Rental Agencies: Once your cruise disembarks, you will need to exit the cruise terminal and head to the designated shuttle pick-up area. Both Budget and Enterprise offer free shuttle services that pick up cruise passengers at the terminal. The shuttles are typically waiting in the parking lot just outside the terminal, and you can easily spot them with the company logos. The shuttle ride will take around 5-10 minutes, so it’s a quick and convenient way to get to your rental car.

Shuttle Service: If you’ve booked your rental car with Budget or Enterprise, just follow the signs to the shuttle area where the rental companies will be. They run frequently during disembarkation times.
Ride-share or Taxi: If you prefer not to take the shuttle, you can also use ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft, or take a taxi to get to the car rental agency, although this may be a bit more expensive than the free shuttle.

4. Tips for a Smooth Experience: Since you’ll be arriving early in the morning after the cruise, it’s a good idea to book your rental car with a flexible pick-up time or ensure they allow early pick-ups. Cruise ship disembarkation times can vary, so arriving early and having everything set up ahead of time will save you time and stress.

Overall, picking up a rental car after your cruise is a relatively simple process, as long as you’re prepared with your reservation details and know how to get to the shuttle pick-up area. The shuttle service is free and quick, and both Budget and Enterprise are reliable choices. Happy travels!