Parking in Baltimore

[MalleyCat]

We always fly in and shuttle/cab/uber to the port. We're being daring this cruise and parking at the port in Baltimore. I'm OCD when it comes to planning, can someone tell me what to expect? I already know cash payment when we get there is the quickest, but other than that, I'm clueless. TIA.

Edited April 1, 2019 by MalleyCat

[bowler15547]

When you drive into the port they will give you a sheet of paper to put on your dashboard to designate you as a cruiser. You drive around, and drop off your bags to the porter. You will then drive to the payment "hut." The cash line is always quicker, but they take cards as well. It is $15/day. After you pay, follow the cones to your lot, and head to the ship. Baltimore is the easiest port out there. 

[MalleyCat]

2 hours ago, bowler15547 said:

When you drive into the port they will give you a sheet of paper to put on your dashboard to designate you as a cruiser. You drive around, and drop off your bags to the porter. You will then drive to the payment "hut." The cash line is always quicker, but they take cards as well. It is $15/day. After you pay, follow the cones to your lot, and head to the ship. Baltimore is the easiest port out there. 

THANK YOU! Sounds super easy!😊

[SRF]

It is SUPER easy.

 

Actually, after you pay, you can drop off others, with the carry on, in front of the terminal building.  Then drive and park.

 

 

[shipgeeks]

One other nice thing is that if you need luggage tags, you can go to the tent just beyond the first attendant and have them made.

I agree, it's a very user-friendly port all around.  People all along the way will direct you.

 

[bowler15547]

13 hours ago, SRF said:

It is SUPER easy.

 

Actually, after you pay, you can drop off others, with the carry on, in front of the terminal building.  Then drive and park.

 

 

 

Why would you want to do that? If I have to walk so does everyone else LOL 😀

[SRF]

4 hours ago, bowler15547 said:

 

Why would you want to do that? If I have to walk so does everyone else LOL 😀

 

Good point.

 

And it is also a good idea to have someone else know where the car is parked. 😄

 

Our first cruise, we sailed with my parents out of Balt.  I dropped everyone off and parked.  My mother had a medical issue in Halifax, and my Dad got off with her, and I got off to help him (they were 87 at the time), leaving my ex to deal with the luggage at the end.

 

Guess who did not know where the car was parked?  I did try to tell her, and it worked out, but it was HUH moment.

[HardyVA]

A friend suggested that we use Hotel n Park?  Anyone use that?

[Tony O]

12 hours ago, HardyVA said:

A friend suggested that we use Hotel n Park?  Anyone use that?

If you use a hotel package you are dependent on the shuttle time. 

How many people will also use shuttle  and how long you have to wait for shuttle.

If you park at port you walk off the ship collect your luggage  and head home  all at your time schedule.

Not sure where in VA your from.,but the cost could be about  the same as a hotel package but convenience wise it's  better to park at port.

[MalleyCat]

2 hours ago, Tony O said:

If you use a hotel package you are dependent on the shuttle time. 

How many people will also use shuttle  and how long you have to wait for shuttle.

If you park at port you walk off the ship collect your luggage  and head home  all at your time schedule.

Not sure where in VA your from.,but the cost could be about  the same as a hotel package but convenience wise it's  better to park at port.

That's why we decided to drive in day of and park at the port. We haven't had good luck with shuttles (in Baltimore especially).  Our original reservation was the same price (hotel, parking and shuttles) as we'll pay to park at the port. Then, when we figured in the extra money we'd spend on food and entertainment the day before the cruise, it was a no brainer.

[MedicKenK]

The only downfall would be, and I hope I' full of it, a breakdown on the way.

 

[HardyVA]

Based on the good info here,  I think we'll drive in the day before and stay at a hotel near the port and drive ourselves to the port the  morning of the cruise.  What hotel would you recommend near the port?  I'd like to make it as easy as possible.

Edited April 22, 2019 by HardyVA
Spelling

[Tony O]

9 hours ago, HardyVA said:

Based on the good info here,  I think we'll drive in the day before and stay at a hotel near the port and drive ourselves to the port the  morning of the cruise.  What hotel would you recommend near the port?  I'd like to make it as easy as possible.

I would suggest hotels in the BWI Airport Dorsey Road hotel district. Many of past cruisers have used these hotel  Also it just south of the cruise port.  You may get a suggestion for the Best Western on O'Donnell  street. The down fall is there is nothing in the area close by, you will be about 10 minutes north of the cruise port and will have to pay $6 each way for the tunnel toll.

[Nessa1dc]

I'm just making sure I have this straight....

 

1.  You drive to the port and pay first, then drop off luggage?  Not after the cruise?

2.  $15 per day

3.  You park and then the ship is close to parking garage?

4.  Is the parking secured?

 

Thank you all in advance.

[shipgeeks]

57 minutes ago, Nessa1dc said:

I'm just making sure I have this straight....

 

1.  You drive to the port and pay first, then drop off luggage?  Not after the cruise?

2.  $15 per day

3.  You park and then the ship is close to parking garage?

4.  Is the parking secured?

 

Thank you all in advance.

No, drop off luggage, then park, then walk into the terminal.  $15 a day is correct, cash or credit card. Everything is close, and there are attendants to direct you to each step.

Parking is open-air.

I've never had a concern about security.  No one can enter the port without cruise tickets or a job there.

 

 

[mskaufman]

1 hour ago, Nessa1dc said:

I'm just making sure I have this straight....

 

1.  You drive to the port and pay first, then drop off luggage?  Not after the cruise?

2.  $15 per day

3.  You park and then the ship is close to parking garage?

4.  Is the parking secured?

 

Thank you all in advance.

 

Parking is not a garage, it is a lot.  You will be able to wave goodbye to your car from the ship.

[mskaufman]

On 4/4/2019 at 9:06 AM, Tony O said:

If you use a hotel package you are dependent on the shuttle time. 

How many people will also use shuttle  and how long you have to wait for shuttle.

If you park at port you walk off the ship collect your luggage  and head home  all at your time schedule.

Not sure where in VA your from.,but the cost could be about  the same as a hotel package but convenience wise it's  better to park at port.

 

Also, if the ship is late getting back (on your return), they hold cars coming into the port until the parking lot clears out.  The hotel shuttle may get held up in the line of new cruisers waiting to get it.  We had that problem with an uber picking us up.  The uber was delivering new passengers to the port and could not get in.  We wound up with a taxi.

[lenquixote66]

oThe Baltimore cruiseport is great ,better than any I have ever been to.

[SRF]

I also suggest the BWI airport area for hotels.  ALL the major chains are there, some with multiple properties.

 

Also, you are close to Arundel Mills.  A large shopping/outlet center, with restaurants and food court.  And even a casino.

[HardyVA]

Thanks for all the suggestions!  Do you know if I could get a limo to pick me up at the hotel and drive me to the port?

[SRF]

Yes.  Or taxi or Uber/Lyft

 

I use a transport company in the area, that I also use for work trips to get to the airport and home.

 

 

[HardyVA]

6 hours ago, SRF said:

Yes.  Or taxi or Uber/Lyft

 

I use a transport company in the area, that I also use for work trips to get to the airport and home.

 

 

Would you share the company's name and number?

[SRF]

I don't know if I trust people not to make it hard for me to get a ride. 😄

 

Email me, my user name 41 at gmail

 

[SRF]

Sorry., screen name 041 at gmail.