By Alexis Berger
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Most mainstream cruise lines offer a variety of discounts throughout the year, but some promotions are only available to specific people. Veterans and military members, for example, may be able to take advantage of exclusive cruise deals. However, not all military savings are equal.
Before you book a military rate, it’s important to understand what the discount actually offers, who is eligible and any documentation you’ll have to show to ensure you actually claim the savings.
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What to Know About Military Discounts on Cruise Lines
Many cruise lines offer fare discounts or other promotions for eligible members of the military. But there is a lot of variability in the type of discount, eligibility and amount.
"A number of mainstream cruise lines offer discounts or special deals for veterans and active-duty military members,” Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, told Newsweek. “Because they vary by cruise line, it's best to check what your cruise line of choice offers and what the eligibility requirements are.”
Military discounts can take a few forms, including a reduced room rate, sometimes for just the service member in question, and sometimes for their entire family. In certain cases, the rate may even to extend to every room they book in their reservations, not just their own.
Some military discounts take the form of onboard credit for the eligible person, perhaps in addition to members of their family. And some cruise lines allow eligible passengers to stack military discounts with other promotions, as well.
Because these deals can vary so greatly, you’ll want to read the full description, calculate the final trip cost and compare it to other itineraries before making your decision.
Which Cruise Lines Offer Military Discounts?
Many cruise lines offer a discount or promotion of some sort. Here’s a snapshot of some mainstream options.
What Military Travelers Should Know Before Booking
Before you book a military rate or discount, you’ll want to verify that it’s the best deal for your specific trip. For instance, at certain times of year (perhaps during wave season or a “kids sail free” promotion), the regular savings may supersede the value a military rate. In this case, if you can’t stack deals, you may want to leave the military discount on the table.
It’s also crucial to understand how many guests in a party can access the savings. For example, MSC offers its military rates to guests included in an eligible military member’s booking, not limited to a single stateroom. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian military discounts include only family members staying in the same stateroom.
Cruise lines that offer onboard credit may specify that either only eligible members themselves, or the members and all guests in their stateroom, can access the benefit. Possible configurations of military discounts abound, so fully understanding each promotion in question is key.
Further, not all cruises share eligibility and verification requirements for accessing military rates: Royal Caribbean requires veterans to have an honorable discharge after at least two years of service or six months in an active war zone, while Celebrity specifies veterans must have an honorable discharge after a minimum of two years or eight months in an active war zone.
Some cruise lines require third-party verification through a service like ID.me, some ask for an official document to prove military status and others want a valid form of military identification. Penalties for failing to verify your eligibility can be costly, so you’ll want to make sure you can complete this process in the manner specified by the cruise line (and in the time frame it requires) in order to actually get the military rate.
As you’re comparing bottom-line prices, you may be balancing a desire to get the best price and the best overall value. In this case, it may be beneficial to work with a travel advisor who can help you sort all of the information.
Regardless of whether you use military discounts, if you are eligible to access them, they’re great to know about. Researching and considering every option available to you will help you find the best cruise to suit your needs—and ultimately get you the best rate.
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