Near Parking at Five US Cruise Ports

Author Message   Dalton Hanks Member Username: Dhanks0001 Post Number: 18 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 01:35 pm:    Hi all: I called and asked if 100% disabled got free parking at Ft lauderdale and Port Canaveral and was told that 100% does not qualify you unless you have a handicapped sticker and free toll booth sticker, meaning you either have limited use of your hands or legs. the lady at Ft lauderdale however did say off the record that if you tell them you have a foot control they usually do not charge and never check out your vehicle. Many of the other ports may have the same rules. Evidently Galveston is not one of them according to the previous post. In order to get a toll free sticker in Florida you have to get a form from DMV and have your doctor sign it. I think I will just pay for the parking or fly and taxi in to the port. Hope this helps Dalton   Diane Rasulis Member Username: Didi Post Number: 16 Registered: 03-2007 Posted on Sunday, September 13, 2009 - 02:05 pm:    Miami cruise port has free parking for persons with handicap driving status. They check your license against your dashboard card and you fill out a form. Sometimes they just let you show it as you leave. Depends on the person in the toll booth.   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 2302 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 04:18 pm:    Ken, we did a cruis out of Galveston in February with Lois & Jerry Webb. Jerry drove, showed his VA ID and we did park for free. Not sure if it was a certain lot or not, but it was just across the street from the ships. Very good location, when we got back, we just walked to the car and were on the way north in no time at all.   Ken Larson Advanced Member Username: Wyldkarma Post Number: 161 Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 03:48 pm:    Galveston Port parking is FREE to any disabled vet or purple heart recipient. All that is needed to verify is your VA card that shows "service connected" at the bottom of the card. Or DD214 (copy. That is what they posted at the port website. I have not tried to verify this yet, but I'm considering driving my truck to the port and parking it there prior to our trip. That way I can leave right from the dock at the end of the cruise. Parking otherwise starts at $45 just for a 4 day cruise.   Tom Jackson Senior Member Username: Tombo Post Number: 406 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 08:04 pm:    We usually drive to the port a day early on seven day cruises and stay at a hotel/motel with free cruise parking. In addition to the free parking, they have a free shuttle to the cruise port and will pick you up on return. At Port Canaveral we stay at the Raddisson or Country Inn & Suites. At Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale} Comfort Inn or AmeriSuites/extended stay. It is a good deal if you are going early to see the local sites. To see what is available, google motels with free cruise parking at your departure port. There are many to choose from in all price ranges.   David Intermediate Member Username: Reverie4401 Post Number: 114 Registered: 02-2008 Posted on Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 07:31 pm:    We have found on longer cruises and transatlantics that using one way rentals to get to/from the port depending on the direction saves money and hassle. In Fort Lauderdale there is usually a free shuttle from the airport to the cruise ships.   Diane Rasulis Member Username: Didi Post Number: 15 Registered: 03-2007 Posted on Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 11:39 am:    Miami cruise parking is free with DV status, too. You need a driver's license with the same # as your Dv card and fill out a form.   Bill M Member Username: Billemoore Post Number: 35 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 11:56 pm:    I have discovered that handicap or DV plates qualifies one for free or reduced fee parking at some terminals. Galveston for example provides free parking for those with DV plates. Be sure to ask.   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 5638 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 10:25 pm:    However, those "drive up" ports charge a substantial fee (like $10 or more per day) to park. That mounts up quickly! The last time we sailed from Tampa the parking was uncovered, just out in an empty lot (albeit with chain link fencing around the perimeter). Fort Lauderdale, in contrast, had covered parking in a multi-level garage.   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 1867 Registered: 02-2006 Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 09:13 pm:    Wanda: Thanks for the link! I just added it to my Favorites list. Happy travels, John   Wanda Seals Advanced Member Username: Whstravel Post Number: 390 Registered: 07-2007 Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 08:58 pm:    Just read this article on my Budgettravel email. http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2009/08/13/AR2009081302114.ht ml?wpisrc=newsletter Thought cruisers might find interesting. Ciao/Wanda