Here are the choices:
1) - Carnival has its own van service to and fro. One way is $11, round trip is $22. The vans go directly to the port. However, this service requires booking and payment 14 days in advance of embarkation day.. It cannot be purchased at the airport. To reserve Carnival van service with your credit card, phone our travel lady, the lovely Wanda, and she'll handle it for you at no cost for her service. Her number is toll-free 1-800-890-7583 (Pacific time zone). She also can answer any questions.
Or.....
There are other companies you can purchase from at the airport. Just go to the ground transportation area outside of baggage claim. There'll you'll find plenty of shuttles, limos and cabs.
Caveats: Vans other than Carnival's may drop off other passengers on the way to the port and may not go directly there. Cab prices can cost up to $20 one-way, not including tip. We don't have, nor can we obtain, prices of other van transportation companies. It's up to each cruiser to make his/her own choice at the airport.
My personal selection would be to make a reservation right now with Wanda for the Carnival van service, and then relax.
Leni
I just spoke to Wanda a few minutes ago. She told me that since most cruise registrants are couples, it may be about the same cost and more comfortable to take a cab rather than the Carnival van/bus from the airport to the ship terminal. Cab fare one way is up to $20, but that is per person.
In addition, you may prefer a cab as it will leave the airport right away, while you may have to sit in a Carnival van/bus till it fills up.
Or, you may still choose to take the Carnival shuttle. The cost is posted just above.
In this case you must call Wanda RIGHT AWAY and make and prepay your reservation by credit card. She will then enclose a shuttle voucher(s) for you in with the final cruise documents you'll receive in the mail in about two weeks or so. You will present this voucher to the uniformed Carnival agent who lurks in the transportation area right outside of the baggage claim conveyer belt area.
Keep in mind the vans/buses are not marked "Carnival" as the line contracts this service out to a shuttle company.
Wanda's toll free number is 1-800-890-7583 (Pacific time zone).
If you have any questions, post them here.
It's been hard for Bahama Mama to keep on top of this subject as some services are changed by cruise lines from one year (or one week or one day!) to another. But, this is the final skinny and you can now make your ground transport plans.
Bahama Mama