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. 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. 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. Many cruise lines offer a discount or promotion of some sort.
Here’s a snapshot of some mainstream options. 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.
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