Cruise Line Salutes the Military with Discounts

[Jason]

Cruise Line Salutes the Military with Discounts that Add Up[/size]

To qualify for Carnival's deal, all you need is an honorable discharge[/size]

By Tom Parsons, Best Fares

If you are or were a member of the U.S. military, Carnival Cruise Lines has a great deal for you and yours.

Active, retired or veteran military members can get up to three cabins at a discounted rate when they book by the end of May for certain sailings through March 31, 2008. These rates can save you up to $400 per person.

As long as one person sailing is a military member or veteran, you can take advantage of this offer. If you don't qualify, chances are that you know someone who does.

You'll get the best bang for your buck when you look at seven-night or longer cruises. The savings have not been as great on three-day cruises, since these prices are generally pretty cheap to begin with. The sample rates are based on double occupancy and were available at press time.

Save up to $300 per person with this deal on a seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise departing June 6 from Whittier, Alaska. The regular prices are $579 for an inside cabin, $749 for an ocean-view cabin and $1,099 for a balcony cabin. Military rates drop as low as $359 for an inside cabin, $499 for an ocean-view cabin and $799 for a balcony cabin. The sample rates listed above and those that follow are per person, based on double occupancy.

The regular prices for seven-day cruises departing July 8 from Long Beach, Calif., to the Pacific Coast of Mexico are $979 for an inside cabin, $1,129 for an ocean-view cabin and $1,249 for a balcony cabin. Military rates drop to $779 for an inside cabin, $969 for an ocean-view cabin and $1,029 for a balcony cabin, for a savings of $160 to $220 per person.

As always, the more flexible you can be, the greater the savings you can enjoy. For example, the regular price for a suite on a seven-day Caribbean cruise from Galveston is $1,609 departing July 22, and the military discount is not available on suites. For travel in October, which is still a good month for cruising, the regular price for suites drops to $1,229, and the military discount price is $978. You can save more than $600 when you double-dip by combining these military discounts with off-season cruises.

The summer months are usually more expensive because there is great demand from couples and families. Spring break is another time that is more expensive. This is especially true from Galveston, where you have people driving from Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. You'll see much better deals for travel in September or October and the period between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays.

As with airfares, the deals you read about today can be gone tomorrow. High-demand cruises can sell out, or prices will be higher. If cabins aren't selling, you can see a drop in prices.

Many cruise lines offer military discounts, but they usually are available only to active or retired military members.

A great thing about this offer is that it covers not only active and retired armed forces members, but anyone who served in the military and left with an honorable discharge. It doesn't matter whether you served one day or 40 years.

As long as you have a DD 214 you can take advantage of these deals. If you need to replace yours, the National Archives Web site at www.archives.gov/veterans allows veterans to make online requests for copies of their military records, or to download forms for mailing or faxing.

These deals may be hard to find. Check with cruise companies or cruise travel agents and ask for military or veterans discounts. Not every ship and sailing offers these discounts, so you'll need to be flexible and persistent. If you have further questions, call 1-800-576-7474.

[hazelson]

Great idea - but it sounds like the cruiselines don't make it easy!

[jacketwatch]

I'll have to tell my buddy, an ex GI and avid cruiser.

[SCIROCCO]

Its also on any cruise Bookings as well I got a 40 Percent discount for my October Cruise! RCCL doesnt do That! Thanks Jason for posting this for all the Other Vets out there!

[CaroleB]

thats what we did for our cruise. Gave them a dd214 and our savings on our cabin was 400.00!!!! This is the cruise we just came off last week! No hassle, no problem and very easy.

[cruiseduo]

I am ready to go and save some dough![/size]

[anewmac]

I just happened to check out RCCL and they are offering a discount on some cruises also! We booked the 3day for just $529 total for an outside cabin. Normal price would have been $870. This will be our 1st cruise and Im so excited!

I alway ask if people offer military discount dont be afraid to do so worse they can say is NO. Heck its the one great perk we get cuz we know the pay aint so good LOL!