Help with tampa!!!

ilovecraigandcooper

ilovecraigandcooper

Mouseketeer
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
We have a cruise coming up in november and then a couple days at disney. I'll trying to be a frugal minded as possible. We're sailing out of Tampa (which is new to us) so I'm not familiar with hotels/parking etc. When we go out of port canaveral we always do the 'park, stay, cruise' package at the sheraton. This time I'm debating betweeen finding a hotel with a shuttle package or stopping at a cheaper hotel on the way down and parking at the port. To park at the port is $90. There's also several other lots that do parking but again, with me being unfamilar I don't know which ones are reputable, etc.

I've never parked at the port before, I've always done a hotel shuttle. When you park at the port are you able to drop off luggage and people (we'll have a baby with us) at curb and then go park or do you have to park and then everyone and everything walk?
 
We sailed in 06 from port canavral. We had a rental car and parked the car there. We had no issues. It was our first cruise, so we had no clue. But I want to say you can drop it off before the parking. But don't take that as 100 percent sure. We walked over with our luggage. Since that cruise we have always taken a taxi. I would imagine you could drop off the luggage and the rest of the family and then go park the car. You can check out CruiseCritic.com. It has all the lines in there to go and ask all the questions you need answers for as well.
 
We have cruised out of Tampa - once - a while ago. But we live here. Most of our experience with the port is driving by it and going to the Aquarium which is right next door or going to Channelside - which is shopping but is also connected to the port. They share the same parking garage.

I am not sure about other lots that do parking for the port. I am not sure where they are, because there aren't that many areas near the port for parking. If you drive to the port there is a small "round about" circular area to drop passengers and luggage off. It isn't very big. The parking garage for the port is right across the street. So most people park there and then just walk across with their luggage.

I hope this helps! Have fun on your cruise.
 
The Sheraton Riverwalk( on north Ashley Dr.) is very nice, and close to the port. I know they offer a shuttle to some spots so you could find out if they offer the same package. If you stay there you could use the shuttle the night before and head down to Channelside for dinner and to check out where you are going out of. We have gone out there a few times and it is chaos when the ships are in so go early on don't wait...Park in the garage across the street, just trust me on this. This area is near the docks and Ybor city night life, and there are a lot of homeless people hanging out around this area. My friends parked in one of the other garages and came back to busted window, and the owner was well you got insurance don't ya.

You could also stop in Lakeland and stay at the Terrace Hotel,( pay to park at the hotel) and its in the downtown square the terrace is a landmark and was redone nicely the rooms have that old Florida feel. DH and I stay here when visiting my parents, and there are some really nice restaurants for dinner... Harry's great food and atmosphere. There is a Baymont Inn also right off I-4 the there are a few restaurant, Cracker Barrel and there is a Publix store about 3 or 4 miles near here if you need some supplies for your cruise.

Or in Plant City, There is a Hampton/ or Holiday inn right off I-4.. Buddy Freddy restaurant has a pretty mean breakfast buffet, country cooking.
 


ilovecraigandcooper said:
We have a cruise coming up in november and then a couple days at disney. I'll trying to be a frugal minded as possible. We're sailing out of Tampa (which is new to us) so I'm not familiar with hotels/parking etc. When we go out of port canaveral we always do the 'park, stay, cruise' package at the sheraton. This time I'm debating betweeen finding a hotel with a shuttle package or stopping at a cheaper hotel on the way down and parking at the port. To park at the port is $90. There's also several other lots that do parking but again, with me being unfamilar I don't know which ones are reputable, etc.

I've never parked at the port before, I've always done a hotel shuttle. When you park at the port are you able to drop off luggage and people (we'll have a baby with us) at curb and then go park or do you have to park and then everyone and everything walk?
Click to expand...


Parking at the port garage is the best option.
There has been news stories from other lots where folks returned to find their vehicle towed.

There are many hotel choices. If you want a less expensive hotel, try somewhere outside of downtown Tampa. What direction are you traveling from?

I have stayed at the Terrace Hotel in Lakeland. Its okay, no pool, and is not what I consider kid friendly. A friend paid for our stay for a cheer competition but is not a location I would personally choose again.
 
We'll be coming from north (the atlanta area)...Yeah I guess I need to just suck it up and pay the $90 at the port and maybe stay somewhere cheaper outside of tampa for the night...
 


Is the tampa port confusing to get around? I know some of the ports aren't marked that well as to which terminal you are, need to be, etc
 
ilovecraigandcooper said:
Is the tampa port confusing to get around? I know some of the ports aren't marked that well as to which terminal you are, need to be, etc
Click to expand...


How far out would you wan to stay? If you are comung down -I-75 South, stay in the "New Tampa" area (Exits 279, 275, 270). After those exits you would be in Tampa. On light traffic days (not during rush hours) it would take 30-45 minutes to get to the port.
 
See if this google street map works for you. It's taken from the drop off circle. You can spin around and see the port entance, aquarium, and parking garage. Its very small port.

The google map link is coming up pointed at the ground so scroll up and it should show parking garage -- scroll left to look behind at the port. On the building labeled terminal 2 it also says drop off lane. So you can see how close it is to the garage.

https://goo.gl/maps/w1Xk42muvbB2


Tiny isn't it. :)
 
Last edited:
NinaBella said:
See if this google street map works for you. It's taken from the drop off circle. You can spin around and see the port entance, aquarium, and parking garage. Its very small port.

The google map link is coming up pointed at the ground so scroll up and it should show parking garage -- scroll left to look behind at the port. On the building labeled terminal 2 it also says drop off lane. So you can see how close it is to the garage.

https://goo.gl/maps/w1Xk42muvbB2


Tiny isn't it. :)
Click to expand...


You're wonderful!!! Yes, it is tiny!!!! Not at all what I was picturing! Thanks so much
 
We live in Tampa and cruise out of that port on average twice a year. We only park in off site lots and have never had a problem. We use The Parking Doctors lot usually. Never heard of anyone getting towed and not sure how or why they would, it's a gated and locked lot owned by the company. I know this is a few days old but if you haven't already made arrangements, I'd definitely recommend the offside lots - it's so much cheaper.
 
Madivan said:
We live in Tampa and cruise out of that port on average twice a year. We only park in off site lots and have never had a problem. We use The Parking Doctors lot usually. Never heard of anyone getting towed and not sure how or why they would, it's a gated and locked lot owned by the company. I know this is a few days old but if you haven't already made arrangements, I'd definitely recommend the offside lots - it's so much cheaper.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for your input!!!
 
Madivan said:
We live in Tampa and cruise out of that port on average twice a year. We only park in off site lots and have never had a problem. We use The Parking Doctors lot usually. Never heard of anyone getting towed and not sure how or why they would, it's a gated and locked lot owned by the company. I know this is a few days old but if you haven't already made arrangements, I'd definitely recommend the offside lots - it's so much cheaper.
Click to expand...

My comment about vehicles being towed was not specifically cruise related. Perhaps you are using a great company. Tampa has had issues over the last several years with unlawful towing. You can google "Tampa Unlawful Towing" click on news and find many articles.

Here is one about the Morgan & Morgsn class action lawsuit regarding unlawful towing. http://www.wtsp.com/mb/news/investigations/class-action-targets-717-parking-towing-company/305008259

I wouldn't park just anywhere because it's cheaper. However, if it's a reputable company that is different.
 
NinaBella said:
My comment about vehicles being towed was not specifically cruise related. Perhaps you are using a great company. Tampa has had issues over the last several years with unlawful towing. You can google "Tampa Unlawful Towing" click on news and find many articles.

Here is one about the Morgan & Morgsn class action lawsuit regarding unlawful towing. http://www.wtsp.com/mb/news/investigations/class-action-targets-717-parking-towing-company/305008259

I wouldn't park just anywhere because it's cheaper. However, if it's a reputable company that is different.
Click to expand...

Now that I see the article I see what you are saying. I was referring specifically to cruise lots, not the random non-gated lots around Tampa and Ybor - that's what I'm picturing this article referring to. Anyone could stand around collecting money and letting people park there and not work for or own the lot.

I think OP is specifically referring to the few lots right around the port that are gated and operated by a specific company. These lots all have their own shuttles to the port and I would have no problem using any of them and the main reason is that they are far cheaper than the port.

But yes, I do definitely agree with your warning about these random lots downtown.
 
AHHHH my home port:cloud9::)

The Tampa port is very easy! Easy parking, almost like an airport. It's a small port. Everyone above had great points.

I have heard horror stories about the 'other lots'. The parking at the airport is covered, gated with a guard and really secure. From what I hear, the others are a dirt lot type parking.

Now Miami on the other hand:sad2:
 
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