Alternative Cruise Port Parking Saves Money

Should you consider alternative cruise port parking? The answer is simple. Yes.

It saves you money.

Have you seen the current fees for parking at cruise ports? Some are quite outrageous.

Think $15 or more per day to leave your vehicle at a cruise terminal, while you sail away to have fun.

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Personal Experience With Alternative Cruise Port Parking

Whenever I fly, I always find alternative parking outside the airport. I recently decided to do the same thing for cruising.

Admittedly, I have not always searched for other parking areas outside cruise ports, but I have gotten wiser.

For example, on my most recent cruise out of Mobile, Alabama, I decided not to pay the $18 per day fee. Instead, I found a hotel that offered cruise parking for $10 per day. 

That is almost a 50-percent savings!

To date, my family has cruised from Port Canaveral, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, Mobile and New Orleans. We have used alternative parking to the cruise terminal in Miami, Mobile and New Orleans.

Some U.S. Cruise Ports Parking Fees

Earlier, I asked the question: Have you seen the current fees for parking at cruise ports? Let me give you samples of those cruise terminal fees.

You will then understand why it is important to look for parking away from your cruise terminal.

Note: All rates above are subject to change by the relevant authority.

Types of Alternative Cruise Port Parking Opportunities

Now that you have seen the rates for parking at cruise ports above, let me share with you some types of alternative cruise port parking.

Option 1: Off-Port Parking Lots with Shuttle Service

Over the years, parking lots have popped up short distances away from cruise terminals. In some cases, the alternative parking lot may be as little as a couple blocks away to 15 minutes away. 

These sites come with shuttle service. If you have a large family, you may choose to drop them at the port with the luggage and then park off-site and ride the shuttle back. Alternatively, you may all bring your luggage to the off-site parking lot, load up and take your seat.

(Note: Some off-site parking sites add a charge for parties with more than two guests.)

Upon returning from your cruise, the shuttle will pick you. Alternative cruise port parking sites are aware of ships' arrival times and position themselves to get their parking guests.

There may be some instances when you're told to call upon clearing customs.

Option 2: Hotels Offering Cruise Parking Packages

I encourage my cruise clients to plan to stay overnight at a hotel near the cruise port, so that on the morning of the cruise there's no need to worry about catching a plane or driving for hours to get to your ship.

So much can happen on that long journey and you do not want to miss your ship.

You will be happy to know that some hotels near your cruise terminal will offer cruise parking packages. That is, you pay one fee for staying overnight and leaving your vehicle at the hotel for the duration of your cruise.

Similarly to the offsite parking lots, these hotels offer shuttle service to get you to and from the cruise port. 

What a sweet deal!

Cruise Port Parking vs. Alternative Cruise Port Parking

As noted above, the one big benefit for parking away from a cruise terminal is the fact that you will save on cruise port parking fees.

Conversely, you must know that parking offsite the cruise terminal may subject you to longer wait times, especially upon returning from your cruise vacation.

There is usually a large number of people waiting to catch the shuttle back to their vehicles and everyone wants to be first.

The truth is that each shuttle can hold a limited number of people and so others must wait for their chance to board.

I have given you an overview of finding parking away from cruise terminals. Going forward, I will take some time to provide specific parking opportunities for individual cruise terminals in the United States.

Please bookmark this page and check back to find updated information on alternative cruise port parking options.

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