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Citizens of the United States honor the voluntary decision to enlist in the military in many ways. Servicemen receive various benefits for their service from the government, including retirement, VA insurance, and many others, but many private industries also find ways to say “thank you” to military personnel. Restaurants often offer discounted meals or special deals for service people; museums offer free admission; and vacation destinations hold special events and room rates. Many cruise lines offer military-specific cruises with discounts as a way to express gratitude to those who volunteered to defend the country.
What Are Military Cruises?
Cruise lines often host special gathering events known as “military appreciation cruises,” where they honor military members for their courage and dedication. These events offer special discounts to Veterans and active-duty military personnel, with some even extending the offer to reserve personnel. Some of these deals include discounted travel rates, free or discounted berth rates, and special events aimed at entertaining cruise participants with certain themes. Military cruises occasionally offer patriotic-themed shows and parties, military-themed food and beverages, and themed on-deck parties. In many cases, these cruises only allow military personnel and Veterans to participate, meaning that everyone on board the ship has a common background in military service, which encourages socializing and bonding. These cruises aim to make cruises and vacations more affordable and accessible for military families.
Who is Eligible for Military Cruises?
Various cruise lines offering military cruises have different criteria for who is eligible to participate. Some cruises offer differing levels of discounts for various levels of service, with active duty receiving more discounts than reservists. All current military cruises allow participants to bring their families, so long as at least one adult in each stateroom can provide proof of military service, as required by Disney. Carnival requires proof of active service or honorable discharge after serving at least two years or six months in an active war zone. Most cruise lines accept Veterans with proof of discharge papers. Princess Cruises offers a free $250 credit to active military personnel, and all cruises accept military IDs as a form of identification, though these IDs do not take the place of a passport. Any personnel who served in any branch, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, may take advantage of military cruise deals.
Top Military Cruise Deals and Discounts
Not all cruise lines offer military benefits or specialized cruises, and those that do have different qualifications and services. Military cruise deals vary throughout the year based on sail date availability. Remember, also, that many cruise lines are dependent upon availability and cruise dates that optimize the safest and best times to sail. For example, there will be fewer special cruises of any kind during the winter months and the “off season,” as summer is the most popular time to sail. With this in mind, be mindful of the fact that even with military discounts, some cruises might be costly. Consider some of the following cruise lines and the special deals they offer military personnel.
Royal Caribbean Military Discount: How to Save on Your Next Voyage
The Royal Caribbean military discount is available to active personnel currently serving in the United States and Canada’s defense forces. Those who are reserve, retired, or have medical discharges are also eligible, as are Veterans with honorable discharges. Spouses of active military personnel can book staterooms under a military discount as long as the spouse is also occupying the room. These deals are also available to spouses of deceased military personnel. These include discounts of up to 50% off the cruise’s cost.
Disney Cruise Military Discount: Enjoy a Magical Adventure at Sea
Disney offers several Disney Cruise military discount options for active US military personnel and their spouses. All branches of the US military and members of the Department of Defense qualify for special rates, so long as they can show proof of service. To qualify, the National Guard and Military Reserves must have active orders from the previous year. Rates tend to vary based on service category and sail date, and prices do not include gratuities, taxes, or port adventures. Disney also offers special themed cruises, including patriotic-themed shows for cruises that sail on or around the Fourth of July.
Norwegian Cruise Line Military Discount: Explore the World for Less
The Norwegian Cruise Line military discount is one of the most generous in the industry. As the company’s website states, military discounts are available to all uniformed US and Canadian military personnel, Veterans, and their spouses. The cruise line regularly offers 10% off cruise line rates throughout the year, as well as many perks while on board exclusive to military guests. Some of these include a complimentary open bar, discounted or free airfare, and discounts on shore excursions. When you book the cruise, if you disclose your military status and provide proof of service, Norwegian travel agents will apply these discounts to you.
Carnival Cruise Line Military Discount: Affordable Fun for Military Families
To qualify for the Carnival Cruise Line military discount, you must be active-duty personnel currently serving in the US armed forces or currently enrolled in a military academy. Any retired personnel with at least 20 years of service, disabled or medically discharged, or Veteran also qualifies. Anyone serving in an active war zone also receives a discount. In order to qualify, guests must submit a copy of their enlistment or discharge papers. A deceased Veteran’s spouse also qualifies, provided they can show proof of enlistment and marriage. Carnival also offers several onboard perks for military members, including a Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge and a military appreciation day at sea events. Carnival is one of the most affordable cruise lines, making it a wonderful choice for military families looking for value and entertainment.
Heroes Sail Free: Special Offers for Military Heroes
Have you heard of the “Heroes Sail Free” program? The cruise line Margaritaville at Sea hosts this program aboard its vessels for active-duty personnel and Veterans, as well as first responders such as police, fire, EMS, and educator personnel. The program gives these individuals one free cruise fare on a cruise to the Bahamas, which is a first in the industry to offer this level of discount. On board the cruise line’s flagship vessel, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, servicemembers take advantage of gourmet food options, a fitness center, exclusive entertainment, and discounts at the shops and spas. However, this privilege does not extend to the family members of service personnel, and guests are required to provide proof at the time of booking the service.
How to Maximize Your Savings on Military Cruises
There are several tips and strategies for getting the most out of military cruise discounts. These include:
- Booking in advance
- Combining offers
- Use travel agents specializing in military benefits and military cruises.
- Compare offers before booking to get the best rate.
- Determine whether benefits extend to friends and family.
- Be sure to ask about blackout dates.
- Military discounts are typically within a time frame of 90–120 days prior to travel.
- Have digital copies of your military ID, enlistment, and/or discharge papers ready to upload before you book the trip.
- Spouses have these documents, as well as proof of marriage and a death certificate if windowed.
It is important to remember that each cruise line has its own requirements, special dates for military cruises, and a variety of other factors. Enlisting the aid of a travel agent who specializes in these special cruises is one way to remove the stress and confusion of qualifying and booking a cruise that takes advantage of military discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Military Cruises
The best option is to hire a travel agent who specializes in these cruises. However, if you want to attempt booking yourself, you might try visiting the websites of each individual cruise line, looking for military deals, or you might try a website like Expedia or CruiseDirect.com. On these aggregator websites, once you find a cruise, there is typically a button or selection that says “Check for special rates” or something similar. Under this selection, there is usually a “military specials” option. Also, check with military organizations such as the Special Forces Association, Gold Star Families, and Veterans’ groups, which occasionally host their own military-themed cruises.
The best option is to hire a travel agent who specializes in these cruises. However, if you want to attempt booking yourself, you might try visiting the websites of each individual cruise line, looking for military deals, or you might try a website like Expedia or CruiseDirect.com. On these aggregator websites, once you find a cruise, there is typically a button or selection that says “Check for special rates” or something similar. Under this selection, there is usually a “military specials” option. Also, check with military organizations such as the Special Forces Association, Gold Star Families, and Veterans’ groups, which occasionally host their own military-themed cruises.
The cruise lines that offer these specials include Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Holland America. Occasionally, Veteran groups book their own military cruises on regular cruises.
Most cruises require travelers to be 21 years old to travel on their own, regardless of their military status.
Most cruises are available for booking 90–120 days in advance of the sail date. Military specials and deals typically fill up quickly, so book promptly.
Most cruises are all-inclusive, meaning that included in the price of the stateroom are also meals, drinks, shows, entertainment, pool and beach access, and snacks. Typically, cruises do not include travel, tipping, special meals, or spa services.
It’ll depend on your shore excursions and the destinations you visit. Ports of call in the US, such as Alaska, Hawaii, or US-controlled territories, only require a government-issued ID and a birth certificate. However, ports in Mexico or other countries do require a passport. Military IDs do not replace a passport, so you will need one, although the military ID does count as a state-issued ID in lieu of a driver’s license.
In some cases, even if you specify military-specific discounts when you search for cruises, the answer may be no. Should your discount remain unapplied, you might need to contact customer service to explicitly request it. Furthermore, keep in mind that cruise websites may only list military discounts for specific dates, and customer service agents may refuse to apply the discount if it falls outside of the specified date range.
In some cases, yes. If you forget to check for or ask for military discounts when booking a cruise, sometimes calling the cruise line’s customer service can apply military discounts to an already-booked cruise for a partial refund.
Time to set sail!
The military and first responders are the heroes of a free nation. Because of their voluntary service in the defense of the country and, for first responders, the emergency service of its citizens, it is important to show appreciation for their volunteer service. Military families make many sacrifices for their service, with military personnel often deployed for up to a year at a time, missing out on important family events and holidays, and missing time to bond with children and relatives. Embarking on a cruise is a great way for these service people to reconnect with their loved ones on a fun vacation and build strong bonds with other military personnel. In a show of appreciation for that service, many cruise lines are pleased to offer military discounts and special cruises for these heroes and their families, generating brand loyalty and fond memories. If you qualify for a military discount or a specialized military cruise, start doing some research, or contact your travel agent today to learn more about the perks and benefits for which you qualify, and set sail with your family on your next adventure!
