Let's Book Your Cruise Blog

What you should know, and what you should (try to) do

Even though I’ve never lived in Florida, I’ve driven to my fair share of cruises. Over the years, I’ve learned a few tips for making your car trip to the port as easy as possible.

When you drive to a port, it’s tempting to pack as much as you think you might need/want. After all, you’re not paying checked bag fees on a flight, right? But it’s important to remember that you still have to get those bags to the ship, and there may even be a bus shuttle involved.

Parking at the Port is often the most convenient, but it comes with a price tag. Port of Miami parking, for instance, cost $35 a day as of May 2026, bringing your price tag for a week-long cruise to $245.

A cheaper alternative is to find an off-site parking lot. These lots often have a shuttle to the port, though some of the cheaper options require you to purchase your own transportation via a taxi or an Uber/Lyft.

Here are a few of the off-site parking options I’ve had success with in the past:

• Fort Lauderdale: My off-site parking journey began with the Park ‘n Go near Fort Lauderdale airport/Port Everglades. This site is the gold standard for off-site parking, easy and convenient. As a bonus, you might see monkeys!

• Port Canaveral: While the on-port parking options are still reasonably priced here, I like to use Port Parking Space, especially for Royal Caribbean cruises leaving out of Terminal 1.
• Tampa: I started using Rightway Parking‘s lot near the IKEA when I cruise from Tampa, and I’ve never turned back. The location is only about a mile from the port, and the shuttle service is well organized and efficient. As a bonus, the lot is located next to an excellent brewpub, Coppertail Brewing Co., if you want to stop in for a snack and a pint before you park for your cruise.
• Miami: Rightway Parking also offers some options here. I’ve only used the Bayside Garage, but it was convenient to the port and close to the YVE Hotel, where it was easy to call a Lyft.
• New Orleans: I only drove to this port once, but I had a good experience booking my parking through Airport Parking Reservations. We parked in the Fulton Street Garage, and it was convenient to the cruise port.

Once you’ve parked your car in a cruise port or off-site parking lot, there are a few best practices that can make your return a little better. Just like in any large parking lot, make sure to take note (a picture is good!) of where you’ve parked the car. Make sure that you haven’t left any valuables (or perishable car snacks!) inside, and make sure all of your windows are rolled up, in case of rain.

Driving to your cruise can be a great way to save money and travel on your own schedule — as long as you plan ahead a little. While every cruise port is a little different, having a parking plan ahead of time can make a huge difference.