Military Discounts

girlcruise · #1 (**permalink**) October 18th, 2009, 09:41 AM

I am booking my first cruise this week and need some help.

I am booking through Carnival and don't see anywhere on the online booking for military discounts. Is this something I have to go through a TA for or do I just call Carnival direct?

I am both a military dependent and veteran so I should qualify for some type of discount, but I am worried they will only offer it for certain dates.

I would greatly appreciate any info.

glenda55 · #2 (**permalink**) October 18th, 2009, 09:52 AM

Call Carnival directly..Or if you are working with a TA ask them..I have seen them in the past online...Good luck...

Dutchman · #3 (**permalink**) October 18th, 2009, 09:54 AM

http://vacationstogo.com/military_discounts_search.cfm
also check out over 55 and state discounts

Master Chief · #4 (**permalink**) October 18th, 2009, 10:09 AM

I deal directly with a Carnival TA and in my profile she has me as retired military, over 55 and also a Florida resident. She always checks to see which one gives me the best rate and also if any of them can be combined. The rates have always been good for me.

Dutchman · #5 (**permalink**) October 18th, 2009, 10:58 AM

You can check that site anytime and get the same prices from Carnival. Much easier to check prices for any month,ship, or check what month the best prices are.

girlcruise · #6 (**permalink**) October 18th, 2009, 11:32 AM

Well vacationstogo.com did show military rates but only through April 2010 and only for inside staterooms.

We are planning to go the beginning of May for Mother's Day and also want ocean view.

I will call Carnival but thought I heard there was a fee for calling 800 number as opposed to online booking.

glenda55 · #7 (**permalink**) October 18th, 2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girlcruise

Well vacationstogo.com did show military rates but only through April 2010 and only for inside staterooms.

We are planning to go the beginning of May for Mother's Day and also want ocean view.

I will call Carnival but thought I heard there was a fee for calling 800 number as opposed to online booking.

There is no fee for calling Carnival directly.

skymaster · #8 (**permalink**) October 19th, 2009, 08:38 AM

MasterCHief has got it pegged. (You don't need to be fully retired from the military to qualify for the discount, if offered) You can simply ask any agent to check for discounts for you, and as he suggests, and be sure to tell the agent of all discounts you might qualify for. I use the military discount 95% of the time, and find it to be the best deal on most cruises. It's not offered on all cruises, or all classes of cabins, but that changes from day to day. A good agent will keep checking for you until he/she finds the discount is offered. Welcome aboard, and hope to meet y'all one of these days aboard a GREAT Carnival cruise.

"SKY"

lv2b@sea · #9 (**permalink**) October 19th, 2009, 02:52 PM

We haven't cruise Carnival for a long time but have used Interliner.com for Military rates. You can be a family member to use this service also.

huffca · #10 (**permalink**) October 20th, 2009, 12:10 AM

I've used the military discount. It can be quite good at times. Sometimes there are better deals. The first time I used it I just asked for it. The next time I needed to fax a copy of my dd214 to show I'm eligible. I'm a widdow with full benefits. Now as someone said it's in the system and they don't ask for it anylonger. And the TA or Carnival Reservation Rep checks to see what would be best for me. Sometimes they extend it to other cabins in your group. But not often. Have fun :-)

girlcruise · #11 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2009, 06:16 PM

Thanks everyone for the help, I did call and the fun saver was a better deal right now but if a military discount is offered that is cheaper before we sail I qualify for that rate and it will be adjusted.

We are booked and ready to go.

huffca · #12 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2009, 06:21 PM

Yeah :-)