Parking @ Port Canaveral

[lrcno]

Had originally planned to stay at the Radisson & use their shuttle. Instead, got Holiday Inn @ Cocoa Beach for $45/night on Priceline want to park at port. Can any of you give tips on when to get to the port, getting in the garage, etc.? As far as dropping of luggage, only my 12 y/o nephew will be w/ me and wouldn't be thrilled to leave him even if he thinks he's grown up.

Thanks for any advice given.

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until 5/24/04 Sovereign of the Seas

[Candleonwater]

You'll hear various horror stories, but for us, it was just me and my 7 yo daughter... we arrived at the gate at 11 am... drove around to drop off the luggage, back around into the lot... and piece of cake. LOVED being on the ship by 11:30... lots of time to explore, grab lunch, etc...

<MARQUEE>Navigator of the Seas March 26, 2005</MARQUEE>
Mariner of the Seas 4/11/04
Disney Magic 12/01/01

[aqusis]

The port parking is not near as bad for the Sovereign as the Mariner. The Sovereign leaves port on Monday and Friday making it the only ship. Saturdays and Sundays are when most of th horror stories occur becuase the Mariner is so much larger plus there are several other ships boarding at the same time. If you're staying at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront, check with them, tell them you are cruising and they may let you leave your car there for the duration and then you can arrange for the shuttle (Art's shuttle $3 per person each way). We actually stayed there last October and will again in Sept. Got 49.99 rate, including parking which is a great deal for a 7 day cruise. Parking at the pier would be $70 bucks so it was a no brainer for us.

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Mariner of the Seas

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Sovereign of the Seas

[TBRay]

Aqusis is correct. There seems to be more of a wait for Mariner than Sovereign. While I wouldn't hesitate to be there at 11 AM for Sovereign they tend to hold up the cars for Mariner until almost Noon. We got stuck looping around the parking area until the 'all clear' was given. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

And you do not have to leave your 12 year old at all. Just do the baggage drop, follow the directions to the garage, and you can both walk directly into the terminal.

[ERsecurity]

Parking is not bad at PC.

When entering the ship area stay in the left lane to circle and drop off the luggage. Then continue the circle and get into the right lane to enter the parking area.

The worst problem when I did it was there were no signs and people were confused and waiting in the wrong lines.

Hope that helps.

John

Royal Caribbean - Platinum
Princess - Platinum
Celebrity - Classic
HAL - 50 Days
Others - Yes
Delta - Million Miler

[lrcno]

Thanks for the responses. W/ this being my first time I was thinking luggage drop off would be like the airport.

Thanks again! Now I really can't wait to go! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

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until 5/24/04 Sovereign of the Seas

[pinkrosesdeb]

The worst part for us was having to cross back around to enter the line for the parking garage. Still wish they could figure out a way to avoid having to sit in that line twice!

[cofi]

Hi all. Sailing on Mariner 5/30. Traveling with several elderly family members and want to avoid a long time idling in the car if possible. I've read they hold cars from entering the port area until a certain time on Saturdays & Sundays, but am not sure what that time is.

If anyone knows what time they allow cars into the baggage dropoff/parking areas, would appreciate the info. Thanks all.

Just 14 days til Mariner of the Seas!!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[aqusis]

cofi...A lot will depend on how quickly they offload passengers from the previous cruise. I definitely would not attempt before 11:00 but could even be later if the previous sailing took a long time to unload. If you really want to avoid, maybe wait until a little later when the rush is over.

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Mariner of the Seas

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Sovereign of the Seas

[cofi]

Thanks Aqusis. I talked with the Port folks today and they confirmed yor advice. Said to time it until after 11:00am. We'll probably shoot for a noon arrival and hope for the best. Thanks again!