richvacruise2

Well Carnival cruisers, I am back in Jacksonville for another three weeks working at the Port. With the new Elation ship at Port yesterday, went down to see the new vessel. from a distance, you really have to look for the name to see any real changes.

Did stop by "WallyPark". Appears they bought the old "ParkUSA" location on airport road. This location is Very nice. Totally covered and paved parking, with nice clean restrooms. With 6, fifteen passenger buses, 2 dedicated to cruise parking, the wait is non-existent. They pick you up and drop you off at your car and provide luggage assistance for unloading and loading your auto.

The real benefit, is it is located at the first light once you get off I95. Therefore, the trip to the cruise port only took me 9 minutes. This is a very nice alternative for those looking to save money on cruise parking.

Floridacruiserbuck is correct. The Jacksonville Port is owned and operated by the City of Jacksonville. This lot is a competitor to revenue generation for the City. Although a very poor competitor, the City will do everything in its power to ensure they at a minimum work within the rules and regulations of the City. I called into the city and discussed the violations with a young lady who jokingly stated the land is not even zoned for "Parking", its zoned for a condominium community, a "Planned Unit Development". a PUD.

Again - when cruising out of Jacksonville...Park at the Port, why risk it.

It would appear as if the revolving door of name changes and other odd business practices may have caught up with how ever these owners are:

Appears the name change game for this site has caught up to them.

My job provided an opportunity to research the various options available in and around Jacksonville for cruise parking prior to my wife and I cruising just a couple weeks ago. Considering all factors and the cost vs benefit with emphasis on risk, it is wise to park at the Port location when cruising out of Jacksonville.

The lot just outside the port is one to avoid. It operates under many different names, Parking Mall, Jetway, Park-Ez-fly. The land is owned by a company out of California and with the revolving door on names, I would not risk your auto by using this lot. Try to imagine what it would take to get an auto issue resolved.

Hope this helps future cruisers.

We had a great time on the cruise a couple weeks ago. However, after doing to trip research while working in Jacksonville, we made the right decision - PARK at the PORT. First night on the ship, as we enjoyed our first Libation, we enjoyed overhearing a couple at the table next to us, discuss/Argue the decision to park at the Parking Mall. The young lady said, "hope your proud to save $25 and put us through that mess".

By the way, they did appear to settle on the name Parking Mall, but make no mistake, it is operated by Jetway and the reviews on YELP are all very negative on Cruise Parking.

Hope this helps. We plan to sail again in early 2017.

Although I am back in Richmond, the "LEGAL#######" post is interesting.

The site did have a trailer on it the entire time I was working at the Port. A garden hose appeared to be fitted from a well to the water system of the trailer. This would have to be unfiltered, contaminated water. No facilities, septic tank or other plumbing was evident...what in the world is happening to the natural biological proofs of life...need I say more.

Again, sorry, its the engineer in me.

Had a good meal with Patrick, the original Sandlot Parking originator so highly spoken about on these message boards. His quick answer was "If you like your car or better yet, what's in your car, why risk it for a $5/day savings? This is only $20-25 total for a potential nasty end to your cruise vacation". He has an analysis on sandlotparking.net for some details around where to park.

Hlauburn has hit the nail on the head. According to Patrick the water is a real concern. He said if it happens to rain hard, or for more then 2 days light, the lot becomes a mud pit and entry and exit lanes have no support. Cars have had to be towed and yes, they will be a mess due to spinning wheels. Even all wheel drives have trouble due to the deep mud that is created during these times. However, he said if it is bad rain and real high tides, the entire lot gets flooded leaving the ants, and the lot has many, to find high ground to escape the water. Yes your car, and inside of it are the easy path for them. If your car is even slightly dirty or has any food item left inside, the ants new home is in your auto.

He and his wife are taking a cruise in April on the new Carnival ship coming to Jacksonville, and NO they will not park on any lot operated by Jetway, the Parking Mall or any name they choose to hide behind in the future.

Hope this helps. Still looking forward to our upcoming cruise. By the way, we ate at a place called Cantina Louise in Atlantic beach, and it was an excellent value for some real good Mexican food.

Although job perks are usually limited to travel and entertainment, this project offered me the ability to scope our next vacation. Sorry my reviews were late for you Gamecocksrule, but I connected with Patrick, the original Sandlot Parking creator. Please send me any and all questions you would like about Jacksonville cruise parking. He was very easy to speak with and has lived in the area for 20 years.

Yes Gamecocksrule, the lot was a mess and hopefully you made it to a car wash before the mess solidified on your car.

Simply put, this would not be my priority. Left work, less then 1/2 mile from Cruise Port Gate, at 6.30PM yesterday. Traffic was minimal and it still took me 22 minutes to arrive at the first offsite airport parking facility. With traffic and the vans focused on airport passengers first, I can easily see this being an additional 1 hour minimum and maybe even 2 hours additional, both going and returning home. Sorry, its the engineer in me.

If saving money is the only objective VIP and/or Wally Park are very nice, paved, lighted, gated and the shuttles appear to be either new or very well maintained. Park Ez Fly was not impressive and looked more like an unorganized junk yard. Shuttles and an old school bus were visible and reason enough not to risk my car or me.

Still excited about my upcoming cruise though.

Fortunate for me we are scheduled to sail in February and work called me to be in the Jacksonville area for the next several weeks. Went looking for the Port and any parking alternatives based on this message board stream. So, I believe I found what people are referring to as the Sandlot or Parking Mall location. Understand, it had no markings and had no signage up except a Free Shuttle sign and Under Video Surveillance.

It looks like a deserted, poorly kept lot that someone has decided to park cars on during cruise activity. It has no building, a shed that looks as if it is held down via a tarp over it. Poorly secured with what looks like a bicycle lock. It has no working lights although lighting appears to be available outside the gates - just not turned on. Saw no security in anyway. Signs say "Under video surveillance", but highly doubtful as it is extremely dark. The water concerns are true as the back section, poorly gated, is under water. Thankfully I have all wheel drive. Hope this helps. Tonight I am planning to drive to and from the airport locations.