Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is a very popular embarkation point for those taking a Caribbean cruise. Serving millions of passengers each year, cruise ships from a handful of cruise lines sail from Port Everglades on a regular basis.
While, often, it’s smart to fly in and then take a rideshare or public transit to the cruise port, if you want to drive a rental car or personal vehicle to the port, you’ll need somewhere to park that vehicle. Luckily, at Port Everglades, you have plenty of parking lot options.
In This Article:
Parking at Port Everglades
There are several self-parking parking garages and lots, on-site at Port Everglades, all of which can, in total, accommodate more than 5,500 vehicles.
The Heron Parking Garage can accommodate nearly 2,000 vehicles and offers 8-foot clearance. Park at this facility if you’re sailing out of Cruise Terminal 2 or 4.
Cruise Terminal 2 is accessible from the garage via an air-conditioned elevated passenger bridge with moving sidewalks, on the garage’s fifth floor. To find this garage, after you enter the port, just look for the orange signs featuring a heron.
The Palm Parking Garage offers 1,966 spaces, but the height of a parking space in this garage is only 7 feet, so it might not be the best fit for larger vehicles.
Park here if you’re cruising out of Terminals 19, 21, 25, 26 or 29. Shuttle service is available between the garage and Terminal 29. To find this garage, just look for the green directional signs featuring a palm frond.
Beyond these two garages, there are also three parking lots.
If you’re cruising out of Terminal 19 or 26, consider using the open-air Parking Lot A, with its entrance at 2000 Eller Drive. If you’re cruising out of Terminal 18 or 19, consider Parking Lot B, with its entrance at SE 19th Ave. If you’re cruising out of Terminal 18, consider Parking Lot C, which is right next to Terminal 18.
Read Also: Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port – Piers, Amenities, and Getting Around
These secure garages and lots include plenty of handicap-friendly spots as well. Parking fees are also waived for those that can display a Florida Toll Exemption Permit, a Disabled Veteran license plate or vehicle modifications made for disabilities (like added ramps).
Do note that you can’t reserve or prepay for your spot at Port Everglades. Parking is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
For large vehicles, like RVs or vehicles with trailers (or really anything over 20 feet or that exceeds standard width), you may need a special spot that can accommodate that vehicle. Limited oversized spots are available on-site, for slightly higher daily rates, but you have to call the ports parking service office for details.
- Rate: $4 for 0 – 1 hour, $8 for up to 5 hours, and a $20 daily maximum ($25 daily maximum for oversized vehicles)
Unofficial Fort Lauderdale Cruise Parking Options
Cruise passengers don’t have to park at Port Everglades, though, if they don’t want to. You have other, competitive Port Everglades cruise port parking options, if, for example, you don’t want to risk showing up to the on-site Port Everglades parking lots and not being able to find a parking spot, or you want to shop around for a lower rate.
Some of these off-site options offer shuttle services during the cruiseport hours of operation. Others provide easy confirmation of your reservation, so you can rest assured your spot is waiting for you, upon arrival.
Park by the Ports
Park by the Ports allows you to reserve your parking spot ahead of time. While parking rates vary depending on when you reserve your spot and how long you park, you can expect to generally find day rates cheaper than what you’ll get at Port Everglades (so less than $20/day).
When you arrive at the lot and check in, the staff will help you with your luggage and then shuttle you to Port Everglades. The shuttle service is free if you have four or fewer members in your party.
For more than four people, every additional passenger incurs a fee of $8. Shuttle service is available from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Shuttle service is available for pick-up as well, to bring you back to the parking lot on your disembarkation day.
Do note that Park by the Ports does not offer shuttle service or staffing during holiday periods. The lot does not accommodate RVs either.
Park by the Ports’ lot is at 100 Fronton Blvd, situated within the Dania Beach casino parking lot. Go to the NE corner of the casino. There, you’ll find a white trailer, where you can check in. You’ll be given stickers to wear for pick-up, so that your driver can identify you when you come back from your cruise.
- Rates: Less than $20/day
Gold Coast Cruise & Fly Parking
Gold Coast Cruise & Fly Parking is located about a mile from Port Everglades. You can reserve your spot there ahead of time, drop off your car and then a valet will park it while the shuttle service whisks you away to your cruise terminal.
You can book additional services, too, to be performed while you’re away, such as a car wash ($10), wash and vacuum ($20) or full car detail ($35).
Unfortunately, this parking provider’s website is not exactly easy to navigate, and getting a quote for parking requires contacting a staff member directly.
Parking at Nearby Hotels
There is also the option of parking at nearby hotels, many of which will offer you free or highly discounted parking for the length of your cruise, so long as you book a stay with them before your cruise embarks.
For just a few examples, this is the case at Rodeway Inn & Suites, the Hampton Inn Ft. Lauderdale Airport North Cruise Port and the Tru by Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Airport.
Some of these hotels offer shuttle service to the Ft Lauderdale cruise port and Fort Lauderdale International Airport, while others do not. If the latter is the case at your chosen property, you may need to take a Lyft or Uber.
Parking for Your Next Cruise Shouldn’t Be Stressful!
Parking for your cruise shouldn’t be stressful. You shouldn’t have to spend minutes of your cruise worried about getting a parking ticket or whether or not you’ll make it back to your car during a garage’s closed hours.
Worth Reading: Cruise Guide on Port Everglades Car Rental
So, get your cruise off on the right foot by thinking about your parking options ahead of time and planning accordingly. Doing so will allow you to have the smoothest, most stress-free embarkation day and cruise possible.
