Parking in Southampton

[oldbluefox]

I have just booked a cruise for next year and in the past have always parked with CPS. They are not cheap but they do give you peace of mind knowing that your car is safe and secure. However I am left wondering what other alternatives there are out there which provide convenience and security. Reading through some of the offerings there do seem to be variations in standards but likewise I am sure CPS is not the only option.
Parking4cruises seems to have been mentioned before (according to the search facility) but what do other forum members recommend?

Incidentally...................
I notice the share price is gradually going up

[Stephen]

Incidentally...................
I notice the share price is gradually going up

About time Foxy. Long may it last

[Stephen]

We always use CPS, for the same reason as you Foxy. And in the grand scheme of things is it worth changing to save a few bob for the one or maybe two cruises a year.

If I was a frequent cruiser then maybe it might be worth shopping around. But on the other hand, if you can afford to cruise several times a year then your not going to be too bothered about parking charges.

[barney]

We’ve used Parking4cruises about half a dozen times Foxy.
Never had an issue.
We usually drop the cases off at the hole in the wall then get back in the car and drive across the road to the short stay.
The rep is waiting, log milage, photo any nicks or dents etc.
We then walk back across the road and board as usual.
Last time I left MrsB at the terminal and went over by myself.
On return, walk to short stay instead of CPS.
Car is waiting, warmed up.
Drive home.
I’ve found it a bit cheaper and sometimes actually easier as there’s no queue.

[towny44]

I agree with Barney P4C are generally cheaper than CPS and no need to queue, when you arrive you can go straight to the taxi drop off point. However if P&O are still offering free parking, and dont increase the select OBC alternative of £60pp for a 14nt cruise, then it may become a better option to take the CPS free parking.

[david63]

A lot depends on the length of the cruise. Previously for shorter cruises CPS have been cheaper than P4C but I believe CPS have increased their prices significantly but I am not aware the P4C have done so - yet.

CPS pricing is £x per day. P4C is an admin fee plus a small charge per day making longer cruises significantly cheaper - and I am talking in the £100s.

Only way to find out is to do a dummy booking on both sites.

And yes P4C is now my preferred option having used them now several times (after the first parking you get a 5% discount )

[oldbluefox]

Interestingly, based on what you have said I have done a price comparison for my cruise next year. CPS for a two week cruise costs £243 against £130.80 for Parking4Cruises. It's looking like a no-brainer.

[Stephen]

I just done the same Foxy and got the same prices. I take back most of what I said earlier. CPS have certainly bumped up their prices

Fortunately we got our two week parking included for this year and have already paid for next years parking for ten nights with CPS at a cost of £125 which would now cost £188. P4C in comparison are £115 to £126 for ten nights.

Interestingly, there is only roughly a £10 difference in price between ten nights and fourteen nights with P4C.

Looks like we might be giving P4C a go in the future unless CPS adjust their prices, or go out of business.

[david63]

Interestingly, there is only roughly a £10 difference in price between ten nights and fourteen nights with P4C.

That's because as I said before the two companies use different pricing models. From memory, pre CPS price rise, CPS were cheaper for seven nights than P4C but after that P4C win hands down. Also bear in mind that the difference becomes even more after your first use of P4C as you get a 5% discount.

When we did our 35 nighter pre Covid the difference was well over £200.

You also have to take into consideration with P&O what the OBC offering is at the time of booking for a cruise as sometimes the OBC can be less than even P4C parking cost.

[Stephen]

David wrote:
You also have to take into consideration with P&O what the OBC offering is at the time of booking for a cruise as sometimes the OBC can be less than even P4C parking cost.

We always do David.

We were lucky with this years two week cruise that came with free parking plus very generous OBC.

[oldbluefox]

The OBC for this cruise was £256pp, coach travel or parking. It seemed silly not to take the OBC - £130 parking against £256.
It depends what the offers are at the time.

[david63]

The OBC for this cruise was £256pp, coach travel or parking. It seemed silly not to take the OBC - £130 parking against £256.

Or if you do your maths correctly - £130 against £512 (a friend told me to say that )

[oldbluefox]

The OBC for this cruise was £256pp, coach travel or parking. It seemed silly not to take the OBC - £130 parking against £256.

Or if you do your maths correctly - £130 against £512 (a friend told me to say that )

Or £1024 if you've got a car full!!!

[Mervyn and Trish]

Or £2560 if you have a minibus.

My friend said.

[trophy]

Hi,
I am struggling to find an answer to my query as I canot post new topics on this forum in cruise related questions. This is my first cruise.
I am booked on Arcadia on 21 Dec 2023 for 16 night cruise to Canaries. I am unable to find out what time the ship leaves Southampton. I am told it could be 5.0 pm or 8.0pm. I would like to know the scheduled time plus how many hours earlier I can board? I need this information for booking car parking arrival time.
Can anyone please help?

[Manoverboard]

Hi Trophy ... it is not possible to raise a new topic on your first post but perhaps you will get a response to your post above.

ps ... hello and welcome

[oldbluefox]

I would say your best bet is to contact P&O direct or ask your travel agent. They should be able to tell you.

[trophy]

Thanks, but I am getting nowhere with travel agent or P&O.
If anyone has past experience in respect of time the similar cruise left Southamptin in Dec 2022 that may help.

[david63]

I am unable to find out what time the ship leaves Southampton.

Nobody will know until the day due any number of factors but generally, irrespective of sailing time, the last boarding time is 16:30.

I would like to know the scheduled time plus how many hours earlier I can board?

At some point nearer the time you will be given an "arrival" time at the terminal - somewhere between 12:00 and 16:00. Depending on your travel arrangements you should try to arrive about that time but if you arrive early it is not a problem - worst case scenario is that you will have to sit and wait.

I need this information for booking car parking arrival time.

Not sure who you are booking parking with but I have never been asked for a time - just turn up when it is convenient.

[Manoverboard]

The stress free way for you is probably to book your parking with CPS.

Then at a much later date you will be notified by P&O of a boarding time and the cruise terminal. Just pitch up and CPS will take care of you and your car on arrival and again on the departure.

[trophy]

At some point nearer the time you will be given an "arrival" time at the terminal - somewhere between 12:00 and 16:00. Depending on your travel arrangements you should try to arrive about that time but if you arrive early it is not a problem - worst case scenario is that you will have to sit and wait.

Thank you david63. This is very useful info for a newbie like me!

[trophy]

The stress free way for you is probably to book your parking with CPS.

Then at a much later date you will be notified by P&O of a boarding time and the cruise terminal. Just pitch up and CPS will take care of you and your car on arrival and again on the departure.

Thank you.

[david63]

The stress free way for you is probably to book your parking with CPS.

Even more stress free using Parking4Cruises - also less stress on the bank balance.

[Manoverboard]

All us P&O Newbies of old where given the option of using CPS by P&O.

Such recommendations were not, as far as I know, afforded to any other Parking Operator.

[david63]

All us P&O Newbies of old where given the option of using CPS by P&O.

Still are - but the way that marketing has changed over the years the OBC on offer is significantly more than the cost of parking with P4C