Port Canaveral- Hotel Shuttle or Self Park?

[Alan C]

We are sailing on NCL Spirit in January 2016 for a 7 night cruise of of Port Canaveral, which is a new sailing port for us. We traditionally sail out of NOLA and are wondering if it is better to park at a hotel (Double Tree Cocoa Beach) and take their shuttle at a hotel rate, or pay for parking and leave our car at the pier? Any suggestions which is better? Also, how far are the parking lots from the pier if we park at the port? Thanks

[Clarea]

For comparision, parking at Port Canaveral for a 7 night cruise would cost you $120.

[hloakes]

If you are getting there a day early, there are a number of hotels that will let you park in their lot for the week and shuttle you to the port. There are also some off site parking lots that cost less than the port. We have done both.

[Capt_BJ]

better is a matter of opinion

 

parking off the port will cost approx 1/2 what parking at the port does

 

BUT you add some time on either side to shuttle to the ship ... this is not much of a concern on arrival in most cases but having to wait 20 minutes for a shuttle on the END side can seem like hours . . .

 

There are off sites MINUTES from the port, both parking only places and hotels with deals ..... and some other hotels are farther, but there is little need to be more than 3 miles away . . .

 

are you driving from Chicago? Will an hour delay getting on the road be a big deal? Or will foregoing 2 foofoo drinks to pay the difference in parking win?

 

last comment ..... sometimes the hotel's "included" parking just means included in an inflated room rate! Some hotels include a coupon for 50% off parking AT the port . . .

 

sorry, no simple answer on this one

 

p.s. missed your last question. At the port you typically are parked in a garage about 100 feet from the terminal entrance. You can be on the road 10 minutes after claiming your bags. Depends a wee bit on what terminal you are using but unless you have an 'oversize vehicle' you are usually very close. Closer than at a major airport IME.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[Alan C]

Thank you all for your advice. I was thinking more of my 90 year old mother standing or walking from car or a shuttle to pier. Sound like it's a 50/50 proposition, and since we are driving, we have all the time in the world. Also sounds like park at the pier is not a 3 block walk or anything, so we do not have to make up our minds just yet. Thanks again for all your information and suggestions.