Do you need to book the parking garage? If so how?

[CruisingCindy]

Hi There,

Going on cruise in late summer.  Do I need to book the parking garage for my car? Does it ever get full?

Thank you

Cindy

[AshleyDillo]

Not sure which port you're speaking of, but I don't know of any that require or even take parking reservations.

[smokeybandit]

9 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Not sure which port you're speaking of, but I don't know of any that require or even take parking reservations.

Actually pre-booking parking is becoming an increasingly popular thing in general.

[The Fox]

When going to Galveston I always book my parking with Port of Galveston. I get coupons off and it's a quick shuttle ride to the ship. Never had a problem.

[AshleyDillo]

11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Actually pre-booking parking is becoming an increasingly popular thing in general.

Yes, and I'm surprised that option doesn't exist at the ports yet. The only times I've been able to reserve parking pre-cruise were for offsite garages/lots.

[Bakerette]

Pre-paying for parking at a cruise terminal in port Canaveral was available until sometime in 2016 which is when the option to prepay for parking for one of the cruise terminals @ port Canaveral has been removed from the port Canaveral website because it says “no reservations are needed because cruise lines can move to different cruise terminals” within port Canaveral.

[twangster]

I imagine it's a hassle for a port because if schedules change and terminals are adjusted they have to deal with refunds or migrations to other garages and if that results in an oversold situation then people are upset.  Plus if guests cancel a cruise they'll want a refund.  It takes some effort to administer it and that means human beings so labor costs that aren't needed when people pay at the garage.  Pre-paying doesn't generate more revenue for the port so why have the extra people on staff to administer a pre-pay program?  What's in it for the port?

[BowTieBrigade]

We prebooked the terminal lot in Seattle online and it was a delight to not have to worry about it. The lot was pretty full so I would recommend not just showing up and hoping. 

[BrianB]

Port Liberty doesn’t have pre-bookings for the garage. First come/first serve. But, they guarantee parking will be available. Either in the garage, or the open lot. Both are steps away from the terminal. The price is the same whether in the garage or the lot.

[Allen2]

At many ports, there are nearby off-site lots, and most allow pre-booking and require pre-payment.  Service usually is to/from the port(s) by shuttle van, often with a trailer for luggage if it is a large lot.  These lots are usually less expensive than parking at the port.  Some hotels allow parking (for a fee), on-site, for hotel customers, often utilizing the hotel's shuttle van.  All Florida East Coast ports have some or all of these services, as does Tampa.

[MidwestIA]

My MIL has a cruise booked for Galveston in Oct and she just reserved a preferred parking spot in the port parking ramp. Refund policy is she has until 24 hours before reservation to cancel and receive refund. 

[CrznTxn]

There are several parking options in Galveston that include the Port of Galveston open air parking for Royal ships and private open and enclosed parking. There is a Port of Galveston covered parking across the street from the other guys terminal that is within walking distance to the Royal terminal if you do not mind about a 300 yard walk. When the new terminal is open later this year the Port of Galveston will have open air parking next to the terminal. Prepayment is highly recommended for the private parking and is available for the Port of Galveston parking but the website usually has trouble but you can pay as you arrive. Private parking across the street from the terminal you have to walk and the other private parking have shuttles for drop-off/pick-up.