Park-and-Cruise Hotels
Arrive the day before, leave the car at the hotel, and start the cruise rested.
Get a Free Cruise QuoteA park-and-cruise hotel solves two problems at once: you arrive the day before, so a traffic jam or a late flight can’t cost you the ship, and you leave your car at the hotel instead of the port. When parking for the length of your cruise is included in the room rate, this is the closest thing to free cruise parking you will find.
How the Packages Usually Work
Room plus parking
You pay for one night (sometimes more), and the hotel lets you leave the car for a number of days. Extra days may be charged.
Room plus parking plus shuttle
The hotel also runs you to the terminal on sailing day, and sometimes back on your return.
Parking only, for a fee
Some hotels sell cruise parking to guests at a discount to the port’s rate. Read the price per day before assuming it’s a deal.
The Fine Print That Decides Whether It’s a Bargain
- Included days vs your cruise length. A seven-day parking allowance doesn’t cover a ten-night cruise.
- Shuttle timing. Is there a set departure time? Will you be at the terminal during your boarding window?
- Return pick-up. Do you call the hotel when you disembark, or wait at a fixed spot?
- Resort and parking fees. Check the total for room, taxes, fees and parking together.
- Where the car is kept. An open lot, a garage, a gated area? Ask.
- Cancellation terms. If your cruise changes, can you change the hotel?
Comparing Hotels Near Your Port
Once you have two or three candidates, compare the total for room plus parking for your full cruise, plus any shuttle charge, against a night at a nearby hotel without parking and a short rideshare. For hotel rates, our sister site Rooms Cheap searches hotels near every major US port.
Who Gains Most From Park-and-Cruise
- Anyone driving more than a few hours to the port, who would otherwise leave home in the middle of the night.
- Travelers who want a cushion against traffic, weather or a breakdown on embarkation day.
- Families who want to start the vacation with a pool afternoon instead of a dawn drive.
- Cruisers who fly in and also rent a car — a hotel near the port can be a convenient place to drop it and leave it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do park-and-cruise hotels include the shuttle to the ship?
Some do, some charge for it, and some offer no shuttle at all. Ask the hotel directly, and ask whether the shuttle runs on your sailing day and at what times.
How many nights of parking are included?
Packages differ. A common structure is one hotel night plus parking for a set number of days. If your cruise is longer than the included days, you may pay for the extra days.
Can I book a park-and-cruise package through my cruise advisor?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can suggest hotels near your port. Hotel packages and their parking rules are set by each hotel, so read the terms before you pay.
Want a Hotel and Cruise Planned Together?
Tell our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise your port and dates. We will price your cruise and suggest a pre-cruise hotel that fits your plan.
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