Hello takirb, Wow, driving eight hours on the actual day of the cruise ! I'd be really scared to cut it so close.
Leaving at 3 am, driving eight hours, conservatively count in only one hour for gas and potty stops, gets you to the Park Place lot at noon. Count at least 30 minutes to park, wait for the shuttle, load suitcases from your car to the shuttle, and then drive to the pier. That makes it 12:30.
The ship sails at 4:00 pm. And you know that government regulations require that a final departure manifest is submitted 60 minutes prior to departure. (That rule is not flexible.) So the absolute moment at which you must be DONE checking in is 3:00pm. (The cruise line states actually 2:30.)
That means you've left yourself only two hours leeway between the perfect drive and missing your ship. You are gambling on there being no delays, no road construction, no accidents in your path, and no wrong turns. And you are counting that your route does not go through any city area during the rush hours between 7:30 and 9:30, which could easily add an hour to your trip.
I would never attempt it.
Driving at night might not be fun, but I'd be more inclined to leave at 9:00 pm, arrive at the hotel at 6 am. That gives you several hours leeway, should anything delay you. Otherwise you can just nap until noon (in your room or at the poolside) ; and then take the hotel shuttle to the ship.
Good luck with what ever you choose. Let us know how it goes.
