There’s no arguing that parking for a cruise is expensive. Some ports charge up to $35 per day! But if you are a disabled passenger with a handicap cruising from Florida, you should know that you could save a lot of money on parking.
All of the cruise ports in Florida — Miami, Port Everglades, Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Jacksonville — have convenient on-site cruise parking lots. This parking puts you just steps away from you ship, but it comes at a high price. A 7-day cruise at some ports can run a bill of more than $200 for parking alone in some ports.
However, thanks to a Florida law, parking for disabled guests can be free. The Florida Statute is 316.1964, and it says that if one of the following criteria are met, then you are entitled to free parking:
- Display a Florida Toll Exemption Permit
- Drive a vehicle is modified with specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, or foot and hand controls for use by a disabled person
- Display the “DV” license plate – Disabled Veteran
That said, the rules around free parking are specific. For that reason, we HIGHLY suggest you contact the port ahead of time to discuss your situation and confirm you can park for free. We’ve listed contact information for each port below.
Things to note:
- These rules require you to have modifications to your car, not just a disabled parking hangtag. Simply having a hangtag does not mean you can park for free.
- This rules apply only to the parking lots operated by the cruise port. If you plan to park off-site at an independent lot, then you’ll have to pay for parking.
Port of Miami Free Disabled Parking
Miami is one of the most expensive places to park for a cruise. Regular garages charge $25 per day, but some go up to $38.50 per day. So if you qualify, definitely take advantage of the free parking. According to their website:
“In accordance with Florida Statute 316.1964, ONLY vehicles with specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, for use by a person who has a disability, or any vehicle displaying a State of Florida license plate for disabled veterans (issued under s. 320.084, s. 320.0842, or s. 320.0845 or displaying the Florida Toll Exemption permit, is exempt from parking charges.”
To inquire if you will receive free parking, you can call the port at 305-347-4800.
Port Everglades Free Disabled Parking
At Port Everglades, cars must have one of the following criteria met in order to qualify for free parking, which is normally $20 per day:
- Display a Florida Toll Exemption Permit as explained in Florida Statute 316.1964
- Vehicle is modified with specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, or foot and hand controls for use by a disabled person
- Display the “DV” license plate from any state government.
You can contact the port directly at 954-468-3680
Port Canaveral Free Disabled Parking
Port Canaveral also follows the guideline that cars must be modified for disabled persons to be eligible for free parking. From its website:
“Disabled parking spaces are available, and the fee is waived for vehicles transporting
certain persons who have disabilities that:
- Have special equipment, such as ramps, lifts, foot or hand controls for use by a disabled person OR
- Display a Florida Toll Exemption Permit as explained in s. 316.1964, Florida Statutes OR
- Display a Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate issued under s. 320.084; s. 320.0842; or s. 320.0845, Florida Statutes.
“Parking agents will not grant parking waivers for any other reason than the ones listed above.”
You can reach the port for more details at 321-783-7831
Port of Tampa Free Disabled Parking
As with Port Canaveral and Port Everglades, handicapped guests must have some sort of modification to their vehicles or have Disabled Veteran license plates to park for free at Port Tampa Bay.
“In accordance with Florida Statute 316.1964, ONLY vehicles with specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, for use by a person who has a disability, or any vehicle displaying a State of Florida license plate for disabled veterans, or displaying the Florida Toll Exemption permit, is exempt from parking charges is exempt from parking charges.”
To call the Port of Tampa and ask about your status or specific questions, dial 813-905-7678.
Port of Jacksonville Free Disabled Parking
Just as with most other ports, a hangtag on your mirror isn’t enough to earn an exemption at the Jacksonville cruise port, but they do offer free disabled parking.
Here is what the cruise port’s website says about the topic:
“JAXPORT’s cruise terminal follows all guidelines outlined in the Florida statute regarding disabled parking.
“Free parking is available for drivers with a state-issued disabled veterans plate, as well as those with a Florida Toll Exemption decal that is permanently affixed to their vehicle.
“Persons in a vehicle that has been modified to accommodate a disabled driver, such as hand/foot controls and installed ramps, are eligible for free parking with a disabled parking placard or decal.”
We recommend calling the port to ask about your specific parking at 904-357-3322.
Been searching for quite a while and cannot find an answer. For people with a handicap hangtag only, are there parking spaces closer to the ship? Not asking about free parking, just closer proximity to the ship.
Yes, you’ll find closer spots.
Does a vehicle displaying the, DV from South Carolina qualifi for free parking at port miami
You can call the port to confirm, but I believe it’s only Florida plates that qualify.
Nope Florida residence only
Can a 100% Disabled Vet from SC Park free at Tampa Bay cruise terminal? I have a SC Disabled Vet License Tag.
My wife is disabled and I have an SUV with handicap plates and a scooter carrier on a hitch.. On occasion we’ve been denied a parking waiver mostly at Port Canaveral for not having ramps, handcontrols or a mechanized lift. Her scooter lift is .manually operated. I don’t understand are we qualifying the vehicles disability or the persons?
The issue is that Florida ONLY recognizes the FLORIDA DV plate and not the other 49 states that have disabled veterans. That a slap in the face of every veteran in America that is disabled and just as deserving as the ones with FL plates. Other cruise ports in other states don’t have an issue, only Florida. What a crock of crap
Soooo only people handicap in FL can park free. Or Disabled Vets. Not at all discredited THEM. But you’re literally leaving out 49 other states of disabled people. Got it. How stupid.
Thank you for the contact information. I have a friend whose husband drives them down from South Carolina to go on a cruise with the equipment she needs with her, They are always able to park free in their van with ramp for her powerchair. I believe they go out of Port Lauderdale each winter. So far, so good.
I think this is some straight BS. My husband lost his leg and is an above the knee amputee; he didn’t loose his leg in a war but while @ work. He has the permanent handicap license plate. It’s wrong for these ports to only allow individuals that have served this country to park for free. I’m not discrediting those individuals but their are others that suffer with other disabilities as well.
Does the vehicle have modifications to him operate it? If so, then he should be able to park for free. It might be worth a call to the port.
“In accordance with Florida Statute 316.1964, ONLY vehicles with specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, foot or hand controls, for use by a person with a disability, or any vehicle that is displaying the “DV” license plate issued under s. 320.084 or the Florida Toll Exemption permit, is exempt from parking charges.” I have and used my DV plate at the Miami Cruise Port. I parked at no cost to me!!! The cruise ports in other Areas try to skirt the law by not posting the portion stating that a DV license Plate is also in that portion of the law not limiting it to special devices!!!
Is the parking outside? Can we go in a garage?