Southampton Cruise Parking Options – AB Car Parks (Real Review and Guide)

If you are sailing from the Horizon, City or Mayflower Terminals and you are looking for easy, convenient car parking AB Car Parks may be a good option for you.

I have personally used AB parking many times and would recommend it. It isn’t the cheapest option, but it is very convenient.

Associated British Ports own these car parks, and they say:

“We handle over 32,500 car park reservations every year, providing over 100,000 cruise passengers with the only on-site car parking facilities within the port.”

You can only park in AB car parks if you are sailing with:

• Celebrity Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Fred Olsen
• Marella Cruises
• MSC
• NCL
• Oceania Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Saga Cruises

Booking with AB Car Parks

To book with AB Car Parks, go to their website, and enter at the top of the page your:

• Departure date

• Cruise Line

• Ship name

The website will then give you a price, and the details of the exact car park you will be parking in, and how to find it.

How to Find the Correct AB Car Park for Your ship

Your booking will show full details of where you should be parking, which depends on the ship you are cruising on.

You’ll need to print your booking confirmation and leave it on your dashboard.

Long Stay Car Parks are located in the Western Docks and are accessed by either Dock Gate 8 for City Cruise Terminal and Dock Gate 10 for Horizon Cruise Terminal and Mayflower Terminal.

The Car Parks are directly adjacent to the terminal and easy to find.

Self-Parking Car Park

You park your car yourself. There are usually staff on hand to guide you to a spot. You then take your keys with you.

Your car is parked in a secure, open-air compound.

Will My Car Be Safe in an AB Car Park?

• The Port of Southampton’s owners operate on-site car parks, which are dedicated facilities used only by cruise passengers. They are locked when not in use.
• They have 24-hour security on site. They check that all car parks are locked and monitored daily.
• The Car Park has a Police-approved “Park Mark Safer Parking Award.”
  • These Car Parks are proven to be safer for vehicles and people. A police assessor checks and passes them annually.

In my experience, AB parking is as safe as possible.

Things to Consider before booking AB Car Parks

• Each cruise line uses a different terminal and car park.
• You must book the correct car park by entering the ship and dates you are travelling on their website.
• If you do not do this, you may be turned away from the car park and refused access!
• Your car needs to fit in a standard-sized parking space. They will apply additional charges if you take up more than one space.
• They do not accept caravans or motor homes.

If you have limited mobility, this car park could be a good option for you.

It is as close as you are going to get to the ship – and if you book a disabled/blue badge spot, you are able to take a mobility scooter with you.

Would I Book With AB Car Parks again?

I have parked in AB Car Parks a number of times, it is certainly a very, easy and convenient option.

Usually, the AB park employees will take your suitcases from your car so there’s no need to drop them off at the terminal building yourself.

Understandably, as it is an official cruise car park close to the ship, the charges are usually more than some other car parking options available.

If time and convenience are important to you, this is a good choice.

Before You Go

To look at other Southampton Cruise Parking options, check out the post below:

Southampton Cruise Parking Compared – (Prices, Locations, REAL REVIEWS)

Find out why it is an easy and stress-free option to sail from your local cruise port here:

7 Reasons To Sail From Your Local Cruise Port