Parking at Port Everglades

[2chiefs]

Over the years we have always parked at the local Hampton Inn near the Ft Lauderdale port and used their parking deal. Very nice but the parking is outside.

 

We are cruising this December and we have a brand-new car, so we were thinking about using a parking facility with covered parking. Are there any good parking garages for cruisers that anyone can recommend? We are booked on a B2B on the Harmony starting Dec 4th.

 

Thanks

[Ret MP]

I'm a former General Manager of the Parking Facilities at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport and Port Everglades.  I will say three things:

1.  Keep in mind that a parking garage is not intended to protect a vehicle.  In fact, there are many situations that a parking garage is much worse than a surface parking lot.  Just as one example:  The vehicle that is parked on the level above you springs a leak of anti-freeze or oil or gas, it flows between the expansion joints and drips down on your car.  The parking company will not take care of it for you, you park at your our own risk and that kind of damage is between you, your car, and your insurance company.  There are many other examples I could give but I hope you get my point.  A garage is nothing more than a vertical parking lot.

 

2.  The closest parking lot to the Royal Caribbean terminal is a surface lot.  The closest parking garage is a little bit of a walk to the terminal.

 

3.  Now that I'm retired from there, I use Park N Go (I have no financial or other interest in Park N Go), always great service at a great price, especially if you reserve in advance.  It's actually located at the entrance to the port just off of I-595.  

 

The circle on the left is the Park n Go lot

 

The circle top right is the Royal Caribbean Terminal

 

The circle immediately to the left of the Terminal is the surface lot

 

The arrow middle right is pointing to the garage.

 

 

[coaster]

Signage at Port Everglades is really poor for parking. Drove into two roadways with backed up cars waiting to dropoff and pickup passengers. Did not know there is a third entrance to surface parking. We just added to the congestion waiting in lines of cars that we did not need to. Map Ret MP posted is a great help.

[jagsfan]

1 hour ago, Ret MP said:

I'm a former General Manager of the Parking Facilities at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport and Port Everglades.  I will say three things:

1.  Keep in mind that a parking garage is not intended to protect a vehicle.  In fact, there are many situations that a parking garage is much worse than a surface parking lot.  Just as one example:  The vehicle that is parked on the level above you springs a leak of anti-freeze or oil or gas, it flows between the expansion joints and drips down on your car.  The parking company will not take care of it for you, you park at your our own risk and that kind of damage is between you, your car, and your insurance company.  There are many other examples I could give but I hope you get my point.  A garage is nothing more than a vertical parking lot.

 

2.  The closest parking lot to the Royal Caribbean terminal is a surface lot.  The closest parking garage is a little bit of a walk to the terminal.

 

3.  Now that I'm retired from there, I use Park N Go (I have no financial or other interest in Park N Go), always great service at a great price, especially if you reserve in advance.  It's actually located at the entrance to the port just off of I-595.  

 

The circle on the left is the Park n Go lot

 

The circle top right is the Royal Caribbean Terminal

 

The circle immediately to the left of the Terminal is the surface lot

 

The arrow middle right is pointing to the garage.

 

 

We’ve used Park N Go for years. 
Never have  to wait for a shuttle. 
Enroll  in their frequent parkers  program and earn credits. Even when only cruising once a year, we earned four free days to use on our last cruise. 
It’s a surface lot, but fenced. On returning, they drop you at your car. And when driving out, you get bottles of cold water. 
For us, it’s a win win!

[2chiefs]

1 hour ago, Ret MP said:

I'm a former General Manager of the Parking Facilities at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport and Port Everglades.  I will say three things:

1.  Keep in mind that a parking garage is not intended to protect a vehicle.  In fact, there are many situations that a parking garage is much worse than a surface parking lot.  Just as one example:  The vehicle that is parked on the level above you springs a leak of anti-freeze or oil or gas, it flows between the expansion joints and drips down on your car.  The parking company will not take care of it for you, you park at your our own risk and that kind of damage is between you, your car, and your insurance company.  There are many other examples I could give but I hope you get my point.  A garage is nothing more than a vertical parking lot.

 

2.  The closest parking lot to the Royal Caribbean terminal is a surface lot.  The closest parking garage is a little bit of a walk to the terminal.

 

3.  Now that I'm retired from there, I use Park N Go (I have no financial or other interest in Park N Go), always great service at a great price, especially if you reserve in advance.  It's actually located at the entrance to the port just off of I-595.  

 

The circle on the left is the Park n Go lot

 

The circle top right is the Royal Caribbean Terminal

 

The circle immediately to the left of the Terminal is the surface lot

 

The arrow middle right is pointing to the garage.

 

 

Thanks for the tips. We did use the cruise parking lot once for a Celebrity cruise. Even though the parking was very close to the ship, it was a nightmare leaving because you had to pay on the way out and they only had one cashier. What a cluster. Never again. Perhaps the RCL cruise lot is different?

[2chiefs]

41 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

We’ve used Park N Go for years. 
Never have  to wait for a shuttle. 
Enroll  in their frequent parkers  program and earn credits. Even when only cruising once a year, we earned four free days to use on our last cruise. 
It’s a surface lot, but fenced. On returning, they drop you at your car. And when driving out, you get bottles of cold water. 
For us, it’s a win win!

Thanks. It's the waiting for the shuttle on some of the off-site lots that can be the bottleneck, so Park N Go sounds good. When we park at the hotel, they have a shuttle and sometimes there's a wait. But the hotel is so close that we've found it to be faster and not too much more expensive to simply take a taxi or an uber to the hotel. Sounds like we will use Park N Go or use the hotel again. We've never had a problem at the hotel.

[coaster]

18 minutes ago, 2chiefs said:

Thanks for the tips. We did use the cruise parking lot once for a Celebrity cruise. Even though the parking was very close to the ship, it was a nightmare leaving because you had to pay on the way out and they only had one cashier. What a cluster. Never again. Perhaps the RCL cruise lot is different?

Same cluster leaving Allure. This was an issue also last month. One or two cashiers and cars from different directions cutting into the main queue of cars. We paid at a machine before we got in the car to exit, but others apparently paid at the gates going out. Should of least have a Sunpass lane like Tampa airport has. Made me think back on how good Tampa and Port Canaveral handles parking.

Edited September 30, 2022 by coaster

[coaster]

We did Park By The Ports further back in May as it was a 14 day b2b sailing on Allure. It was hectic as they boarded people to the shuttle who got there after us under the tent you wait under to board the shuttles. Wife politely intervened and driver let us board. Other's in line after us were very understanding once the issue was brought up. Getting off ship, there was a mass of people waiting for a shuttle back to the lot. Got lucky and they had room for 2 of us. Other parties were larger.

 

Pack your patience sailing from Port Everglades. This port does not check verify check in times also. We moved up to a 10:30 check in time last month when it suddenly became available and their contracted port staff did not know 10:30 was an assigned time. Signage just listed 11am combined all the way to 12:30 pm. 

Edited September 30, 2022 by coaster

[Ret MP]

2 hours ago, Ret MP said:

 

 

The circle on the left is the Park n Go lot

 

The circle top right is the Royal Caribbean Terminal

 

The circle immediately to the left of the Terminal is the surface lot

 

The arrow middle right is pointing to the garage.

 

 

Correction to my arrow pointing at the Garage.  It's actually one more structure to the right of that building.   It is a bit of a walk to the Royal Terminal.  And it isn't a direct/straight line walk either.

Edited September 30, 2022 by Ret MP

[Ret MP]

Just for perspective and to be fully informed:

 

Very top of picture/circle:  Royal's Terminal

A little lower and to the left is the Park N Go

At the very bottom is the Park By The Ports is

 

Personal note:  The Park By The Ports parking lot is in the Dania Jai Alia/casino complex, right next to that is Frost Park where I played little league baseball.  That entire area is my old stomping grounds.  Now, I'm nostalgic  😔.

[ONECRUISER]

Haven't Parked at this Port in 20+ yrs, Flown in since. Funny thing is 1/4 the yrs Cruising out Port Everglades on Royal we left and returned to a totally Different Pier, this on non-Oasis Class of course

[Ret MP]

1 hour ago, ONECRUISER said:

Haven't Parked at this Port in 20+ yrs, Flown in since. Funny thing is 1/4 the yrs Cruising out Port Everglades on Royal we left and returned to a totally Different Pier, this on non-Oasis Class of course

Royal has one full time terminal, terminal #18, and another that is shared, terminal #25, at least that is the way it was when I retire, 2005.

[ONECRUISER]

54 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

Royal has one full time terminal, terminal #18, and another that is shared, terminal #25, at least that is the way it was when I retire, 2005.

I've been to at least 3(might b 4) of them on Royal last 22yrs, that I know of. One last times I came in Port Everglades Pre-CV there was 3 Royal Ships there that day in 2019 or 18. One at 18, one parallel on outside at 25 and third was 90 degrees one next to 18(#19 I think). Just interesting leave from 18, came back we were not. Didn't bother me as non-driver. 

Edited October 1, 2022 by ONECRUISER

[Ret MP]

11 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

I've been to at least 3(might b 4) of them on Royal last 22yrs, that I know of. One last times I came in Port Everglades Pre-CV there was 3 Royal Ships there that day in 2019 or 18. One at 18, one parallel on outside at 25 and third was 90 degrees one next to 18(#19 I think). Just interesting leave from 18, came back we were not. Didn't bother me as non-driver. 

Over the last few decades Port Everglades has seen A LOT of changes.  I remember the days when you could drive right up to any dock/pier and fish, just sightsee, whatever.  There used to be a top tier restaurant (Burt & Jack's) at about the same location as Pier 25.  You could walk right up to Naval Submarines/Ships.  My office used to be located in North Port at the entrance/exit to the North Port Garage (cruise & Convention Center Garage), the office isn't there anymore (just a clump of Palm Trees).  And a new huge garage is right next to where the office was.  I'm 71 now, back when I was pre-teen, I'd ride my bicycle anywhere I wanted within the boundaries of Port Everglades. We used to ride through Port Everglades to get to Ft. Lauderdale beach.  

 

BTW, I witnessed and was part of a lot of changes at the FLL airport.  I was the manager of the parking there during a lot of changes, including the two newest garages.   There was plans to build a monorail system between the port to the airport for passengers and cargo.  Guess that was big plans gone by the wayside.  

[2chiefs]

18 hours ago, coaster said:

Same cluster leaving Allure. This was an issue also last month. One or two cashiers and cars from different directions cutting into the main queue of cars. We paid at a machine before we got in the car to exit, but others apparently paid at the gates going out. Should of least have a Sunpass lane like Tampa airport has. Made me think back on how good Tampa and Port Canaveral handles parking.

We haven't cruised out of Tampa yet. We love parking at the cruise terminal at Port Canaveral. Even though it's expensive, it's very convenient and you pre-pay so leaving is a breeze as well.

[4774Papa]

No one mentioned what these parking places charge per day.

We always drive down from Georgia and stay in a hotel that provides inexpensive parking for our cruise.

[Ret MP]

5 hours ago, 2chiefs said:

We haven't cruised out of Tampa yet. We love parking at the cruise terminal at Port Canaveral. Even though it's expensive, it's very convenient and you pre-pay so leaving is a breeze as well.

I'll be parking near Port Canaveral or in the Parking Garage on Port Canaveral on Oct 31, were still looking into it.  It' is going to be interesting.  When I cruised out of Canaveral last time, it was on Carnival 🤮 and we parked at the hotel and shuttled to/from the hotel, I don't remember any Garages there, a lot of construction going on though.  

[2chiefs]

14 hours ago, 4774Papa said:

No one mentioned what these parking places charge per day.

We always drive down from Georgia and stay in a hotel that provides inexpensive parking for our cruise.

Hi 4774Papa

For Ft Lauderdale we use the Hampton Inn Parking on 12th street. We arrive a day early and stay there overnight. They charge a minimum of $60 for up to 10 days. Then it's $7.50 per day after the first 10 days. They charge $15 per person for the shuttle but it's so close that we find a taxi or uber is much more convenient, so we don't use the shuttle.

 

For Port Canaveral, we used a Hampton Inn once and it was $10 per day (several years ago) but we don't use it anymore. We priced the Homewood Suites nearby and they were reasonable as well but we opt for the cruise terminal parking even though they charge a whopping $17 per day because of how easy, convenient and fast you can get in and out.

[2chiefs]

14 hours ago, Ret MP said:

I'll be parking near Port Canaveral or in the Parking Garage on Port Canaveral on Oct 31, were still looking into it.  It' is going to be interesting.  When I cruised out of Canaveral last time, it was on Carnival 🤮 and we parked at the hotel and shuttled to/from the hotel, I don't remember any Garages there, a lot of construction going on though.  

We've only cruised Royal out of Canaveral. They were out of Terminal 1 and Terminal 6. Both have covered garages right next to the terminal and with easy walking to the terminal. The parking lot elevator dumps you out right where the porters are to take your luggage. The parking fee is high at $17 per day, (and they charge for both arrival and departure days). Since you prepay on the way in at multiple automated and manned stations, it's a breeze for departure with no backup of traffic. The low stress of leaving without having to wait for shuttle or sitting in long lines is worth the cost in our opinion. I have heard that there are very reasonable parking at most close hotels that also provide shuttles.

[CFLRetired]

Highly recommend Park N Go.  Never an issue.

[2chiefs]

I did a little research and found out Port Everglades has two parking garages:

1. PALM Parking Garage at Terminals 19,21,25,26 & 29 (need shuttle for 29)

2. HERON Parking Garage (brand new) at Terminals 2 & 4 (pre-pay for easy departure)

 

They charge $15 per day. Not too bad.

Just a little more than Park & Go charges (just check online and it was just under $14 per day and a little under $13 per day if paid online in advance).

 

What I don't know is which cruise ships use which terminals. The last Celebrity cruise we took out of there was Terminal 25 and it had terrible surface parking. 

We are cruising on Harmony of the Seas Dec 4 B2B through Dec 18, but we don't know which terminal they use. If anyone knows, it would be greatly appreciated.

Edited October 2, 2022 by 2chiefs

[SilkySal]

I may possibly (probably) need to take my small scooter with me on my February cruise out of FLL and have reserved a parking spot at Park N Go, which we usually use. Can't remember but does anybody know for sure if they will allow my scooter on the shuttle with our luggage? I think I remember seeing them years ago. I may just email or call later to confirm.

[4774Papa]

4 hours ago, 2chiefs said:

Hi 4774Papa

For Ft Lauderdale we use the Hampton Inn Parking on 12th street. We arrive a day early and stay there overnight. They charge a minimum of $60 for up to 10 days. Then it's $7.50 per day after the first 10 days. They charge $15 per person for the shuttle but it's so close that we find a taxi or uber is much more convenient, so we don't use the shuttle.

 

For Port Canaveral, we used a Hampton Inn once and it was $10 per day (several years ago) but we don't use it anymore. We priced the Homewood Suites nearby and they were reasonable as well but we opt for the cruise terminal parking even though they charge a whopping $17 per day because of how easy, convenient and fast you can get in and out.

Our cruise is a transatlantic of 14 days and we are spending another two weeks in Italy before returning.  

We used the Courtyard by Marriott 10 years ago and they didn't charge extra for parking, of course, now they do.   Our flight back to the USA arrives in Miami a bit after midnight, so we will likely find a hotel at the Miami Airport and pickup our car the later in the morning, or catch a taxi immediately to the Marriott and stay there before we drive back to Georgia.

[2chiefs]

1 hour ago, 4774Papa said:

Our cruise is a transatlantic of 14 days and we are spending another two weeks in Italy before returning.  

We used the Courtyard by Marriott 10 years ago and they didn't charge extra for parking, of course, now they do.   Our flight back to the USA arrives in Miami a bit after midnight, so we will likely find a hotel at the Miami Airport and pickup our car the later in the morning, or catch a taxi immediately to the Marriott and stay there before we drive back to Georgia.

A hotel at the airport would certainly be ideal as long as it was fairly secure. 

I remember when they had a lot of cruises out of New Orleans, the Hampton we used to stay at had free parking for cruisers too. Probably won't see that anymore anywhere.

 

If the airport hotel doesn't work out for you, you might want to try the Hampton on 12th street. They are a short taxi ride to either the cruise port or the airport. The parking area isn't fenced but the area seems secure. For the taxi, I we paid $20 (including tip) from the cruise port to the hotel. (That was a couple years ago - I don't know what taxis are charging now-a-days.). Since you're going to be gone about a month, you might search for a fenced and locked parking spot even though it might cost you more.

[mickeychicky]

On 9/30/2022 at 3:07 PM, Ret MP said:

I'm a former General Manager of the Parking Facilities at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport and Port Everglades.  I will say three things:

1.  Keep in mind that a parking garage is not intended to protect a vehicle.  In fact, there are many situations that a parking garage is much worse than a surface parking lot.  Just as one example:  The vehicle that is parked on the level above you springs a leak of anti-freeze or oil or gas, it flows between the expansion joints and drips down on your car.  The parking company will not take care of it for you, you park at your our own risk and that kind of damage is between you, your car, and your insurance company.  There are many other examples I could give but I hope you get my point.  A garage is nothing more than a vertical parking lot.

 

2.  The closest parking lot to the Royal Caribbean terminal is a surface lot.  The closest parking garage is a little bit of a walk to the terminal.

 

3.  Now that I'm retired from there, I use Park N Go (I have no financial or other interest in Park N Go), always great service at a great price, especially if you reserve in advance.  It's actually located at the entrance to the port just off of I-595.  

 

The circle on the left is the Park n Go lot

 

The circle top right is the Royal Caribbean Terminal

 

The circle immediately to the left of the Terminal is the surface lot

 

The arrow middle right is pointing to the garage.

 

 

So quick question.....I've read so many terrible stories about off site cruise parking lots where the cars get broken into and jamming the cars into the lots where there is so little room for the attendant to get out the car and dings up doors getting in and out.  HOW IS THIS LOT when it comes to those issues?  Not that these things can't happen at the port itself, but I always felt my car was "safer" at the post because of the "security" they have just to get in.