The cruise parking in Tampa wants $15 a day. Is there a cheaper alternative?

That's a pretty typical price to park in a mid-size city.

You might look for a stay-and-cruise hotel where you can park for free. The Doubletree Tampa Bay has a package including a one-night stay, airport transfers to the hotel (round-trip), and one-way transfer to the port (you'd have to pay for a taxi back to the hotel), but it includes 14 free days of parking.

I don't know if other area hotels offer such packages, but they are typical in cruise ports, though you probably wouldn't find that kind of package at a busy hotel in downtown Tampa, where guests may already have to pay for parking. (Such packages need to be booked directly through the hotel.)

<i> The Doubletree Tampa Bay has a package including a one-night stay, airport transfers to the hotel (round-trip), and one-way transfer to the port (you'd have to pay for a taxi back to the hotel), but it includes 14 free days of parking. </i>

Explain to me why would one need airport transfers to/from the hotel and still need parking?

But let's go back to OP's question. There are many city operated lots that charge about $9 per day for parking. You will need to get from/to the lots on your own.

The Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express have park and stay packages which includes transport to and from the port. They are not downtown but worked out good for us last year.

Several hotels have park and stay deals that are pretty good - http://meetoncruise.com/ports/Tampa.php#hotels

A number of the long term parking companies that service the airport also offer free shuttle service to the port. They usually charge $8-$10/day with the shuttle living their facility about 1pm. Just do a search on the internet. I don't want to give specific company names here but i found one for my cruise.

We recently (June 2012) did a 7 Western Caribbean cruise and found a really great company (241 Services) just minutes from the Tampa cruise port. I think they are only 1/2 mile from the port.

Their website is https://www.tampaportparking.org/

The lot was very secure (fenced in) and the attendants were extremely friendly and helpful with all our luggage.

When we returned they immediately came to pick us up.

Since Carnival took all our money while on the ship, it was nice to only have to pay $42 for parking for the entire 7 days.

You can't go wrong using this company. Their staff was so friendly. They even took us back to the Tampa Aquarium and then later picked us up without charging us anything additional.

Save your money on parking by using this company and spend it elsewhere on your family having the time of your life on the cruise.

We are going on a 7 day and parking with Capital-Parking. They are very close to the port and fast and friendly. We use them every time we cruise out of Tampa. The garage across from the port wanted like $15 a day. This one is half that. Would rather spend my money on the ship. You can book on their website or calling if you prefer. Their website is http://www.capital-parking.com. Good Luck!