An open-air fenced surface parking lot with a white shuttle bus loading cruise passengers, downtown Norfolk behind

Norfolk Cruise Port Parking

If you are driving to a cruise from Norfolk, designated cruise parking is not at the Half Moone terminal itself. It is at the Cedar Grove lot, 1000 Monticello Avenue, about 1.5 miles from the terminal. You park there, check your luggage, and ride a free shuttle to the ship. This guide walks through the exact sequence so you arrive at the right place on embarkation morning.

Downtown Norfolk skyline across the Elizabeth River, with the Waterside district near the Half Moone cruise terminal
Downtown Norfolk, where the Cedar Grove cruise parking lot sits on Monticello Avenue.

Where to Park: Cedar Grove Lot

The City of Norfolk designates the Cedar Grove lot at 1000 Monticello Avenue as the official cruise parking location. It sits roughly 1.5 miles from the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center, and a complimentary shuttle connects the two on cruise days.

  • Location: Cedar Grove lot, 1000 Monticello Ave., Norfolk
  • Distance to terminal: about 1.5 miles
  • Rate: $15 per day for passenger vehicles, including vans up to 15 passengers
  • Payment: due on entry, cash or credit card accepted, or prepaid online
  • Hours: lot opens 9:30 a.m. on cruise days; shuttles begin about 9:45 a.m.
  • Shuttle: free shuttle to and from the terminal
  • Luggage: can be checked in at Cedar Grove and taken directly to the ship

Parking can also be prepaid on the City of Norfolk website at norfolk.gov. Prepayment returns a QR code that serves as the parking pass; you show it at the Cedar Grove entrance rather than paying at the gate.

The Cruise-Day Sequence (Driving)

On cruise days the Cedar Grove lot opens at 9:30 a.m. for embarking passengers, and shuttle service to the terminal begins at approximately 9:45 a.m. The typical order of events is:

  1. Drive to the Cedar Grove lot at 1000 Monticello Avenue.
  2. Check your luggage at the lot, where it is transported directly to the cruise ship (or you can carry it and hand it to porters at the terminal).
  3. Pay the $15 per-day parking fee on entry by cash or credit card, or show the QR code from your prepaid pass.
  4. Board the free shuttle to the Half Moone terminal.
  5. Arrive at the terminal, clear security, and board following your cruise line’s assigned check-in time.

Arriving by Rideshare, Taxi, or Hotel Drop-Off

Not everyone drives and parks. If you are arriving by Uber, taxi, a hotel transfer, or a private drop-off, you have two options:

  • Be dropped off at Cedar Grove and ride the same free shuttle to the terminal (luggage can be checked there).
  • Be dropped off directly at the Half Moone terminal, where porters handle luggage at the curb.

Passengers who arrive by taxi or Uber at Cedar Grove may also use the complimentary shuttle service to and from the terminal.

Accessibility

ADA parking is available at Cedar Grove, along with an ADA-accessible shuttle equipped with a lift. For questions, the City of Norfolk Parking division can be reached through Norfolk Cares at (757) 664-6510.

Disembarkation Day

When you return, you are directed to the baggage hall to collect your luggage, proceed past customs for declaration processing, and are then directed to awaiting coaches, taxis, limousines, or the parking-lot shuttle back to Cedar Grove.

Most passengers who drove in head straight home from Cedar Grove. If you have the flexibility, downtown Norfolk is minutes away and the Outer Banks is roughly a two-hour drive south, so an extra night is worth considering. Our companion site has a short guide to what to do after your Norfolk cruise.

Comparing Your Parking Options

Three approaches cover almost everyone sailing from Norfolk: the city lot at Cedar Grove, a private indoor garage in Chesapeake, and a park-and-cruise package through a downtown hotel. The differences come down to price, how far you ride, and whether your luggage goes to the ship from the lot.

Cedar Grove (city lot)Asphalt Lots (private)Hotel park-and-cruise
Cost per day$15$10Varies by package
Distance and shuttleAbout 1.5 miles; free shuttle from about 9:45 a.m.10.9 miles; free shuttle, about 15 minutes, from 9:30 a.m.Varies by hotel
CoveredNo, open-air surface lotYes, indoor garageVaries by hotel
ReservablePrepayment available onlineYes, reserve onlineYes, booked as a package
Luggage checked to the shipYes, at the lotNo, handled at the terminalNo, handled at the terminal

Rates and schedules are set by each operator and can change. Confirm current details before you book.

Want Covered Parking? The Private Alternative

Cedar Grove is the closest option and the one the city runs, but it is open to the weather. If keeping your vehicle indoors matters more than being close to the terminal, a private operator called Asphalt Lots runs an indoor garage in Chesapeake and shuttles passengers to the Half Moone terminal.

  • Rate: $10 per day for indoor parking
  • Location: 1377 Bells Mill Road, Chesapeake, 10.9 miles from the terminal
  • Shuttle: free round trip with every reservation; shuttles start at 9:30 a.m. on cruise days and run every 15 minutes, a ride of about 15 minutes
  • Garage hours: opens at 7 a.m. on cruise days; night-before drop-off can be arranged by phone
  • Return: pickups at the port begin at 7 a.m. in front of the USS Wisconsin
  • Security: gated facility with keycard entry, hourly patrols, and 24/7 video surveillance
  • Vehicle limit: maximum height 7 feet 10 inches, measured including roof racks and cargo boxes
  • Booking: reserve online at asphaltlotsva.com

The trade-offs are worth stating plainly. The shuttle ride is about 15 minutes each way rather than the short hop from Cedar Grove, so the morning needs more slack in it. The shuttle runs only on Carnival cruise days, so it is not an option for every sailing. And luggage cannot be checked through to the ship from the lot the way it can at Cedar Grove; your bags travel with you and are handled at the terminal.

Asphalt Lots details verified July 2026, against the operator’s published FAQ. Rates, hours, and shuttle schedules are set by the operator and can change.

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I park for a cruise at Norfolk?

Designated cruise parking is at the Cedar Grove lot, 1000 Monticello Avenue, about 1.5 miles from the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center. Parking is not at the terminal itself. You park at Cedar Grove, check your luggage there, and ride a free shuttle to the ship.

What time does the Cedar Grove lot open?

On cruise days the lot opens at 9:30 a.m. for embarking passengers, and shuttle service to the terminal begins about 9:45 a.m. These times reflect the schedule set by the City of Norfolk effective July 12, 2026.

How much does cruise parking at Norfolk cost in total?

The rate is $15 per day for passenger vehicles, including vans up to 15 passengers, so a seven-day sailing comes to about $105. Payment is due on entry by cash or credit card, or you can prepay online.

What’s the cheapest cruise parking in Norfolk?

Of the two dedicated cruise lots, Asphalt Lots in Chesapeake is the cheaper one at $10 per day against $15 per day at Cedar Grove, and its round-trip shuttle is free with a reservation. Cedar Grove is far closer to the terminal and can check your luggage through to the ship, so the lower rate comes with a longer shuttle ride. Hotel park-and-cruise packages are priced per package and are worth comparing separately.

Can I prepay for cruise parking?

Yes. Prepaid cruise parking is available on the City of Norfolk website at norfolk.gov. Prepayment returns a QR code that serves as your parking pass, and you show it at the Cedar Grove entrance instead of paying at the gate.

Is the Cedar Grove lot covered?

No. Cedar Grove is an open-air surface lot rather than a garage, so vehicles sit outdoors for the length of the sailing.

Is there covered cruise parking in Norfolk?

Not at the city lot. For indoor parking, a private operator called Asphalt Lots runs a garage in Chesapeake, 10.9 miles from the terminal, at $10 per day with a free round-trip shuttle included with every reservation. The shuttle ride is about 15 minutes, and the service runs on Carnival cruise days.

Is parking at Cedar Grove secure?

The lot is fully fenced and monitored 24 hours a day by law enforcement. The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office patrols it, and camera systems cover the lot.

Where do I check my luggage?

Luggage can be checked at the Cedar Grove lot, where it is taken directly to the cruise ship. You can also keep your bags with you and hand them to porters at the terminal instead.

Is there accessible parking at Cedar Grove?

ADA parking is available at Cedar Grove, and the shuttle fleet includes an ADA-accessible vehicle equipped with a lift. For questions, the City of Norfolk Parking division can be reached through Norfolk Cares at (757) 664-6510.

Can I be dropped off at the terminal instead of parking?

You can be dropped off directly at the Half Moone terminal, where porters handle luggage at the curb, or at Cedar Grove, where you can check luggage and ride the free shuttle. Passengers who arrive by taxi or rideshare at Cedar Grove may use the complimentary shuttle in both directions.

Before You Go

Rates, hours, and procedures are set by the City of Norfolk and can change. Always confirm the current details on the official City of Norfolk cruise page before you travel: norfolk.gov/6030/Cruises.

Last verified: July 2026, against the City of Norfolk official cruise information. Lot and shuttle times reflect the schedule effective July 12, 2026.