Military Discount Documentation for Spouse

[LG123]

I am looking to book a cruise that offers a military discount. My husband will not be cruising with us.

I am confused by what the required documentation is. This is what RCCL website states:

Spouses of actively deployed, or deceased military personnel, are eligible to book one stateroom as long as the eligible spouse is occupying the stateroom. All other guests traveling in the same stateroom are also eligible for the military rate. Spouse must present the PINK Dependent Military ID upon check-in as proof of eligibility.

I do have a current ID but it is not pink. My card is tan and does not change during deployments. Does anyone have any experience with receiving the discount when the soldier is not present. I do not want to book the cruise and then get to the port and be denied the discount.

Thanks!

Lori-ann

[Sillyjilly]

The discount is only available if your military spouse is sailing with you.

"as long as the eligible spouse is occupying the stateroom."

[SDPadreFan]

Originally Posted by Sillyjilly

The discount is only available if your military spouse is sailing with you.

"as long as the eligible spouse is occupying the stateroom."

Close, but I think you're slightly off. If you took that whole statement that the OP posted and you used for your logic, then the deceased military member would also have to occupy the stateroom if that were the case.

I think the best thing for the OP to do is to call RCCL for clarification. Perhaps even getting "clarification" a couple of times talking to different RCCL employees.

[Bonnie Voyager]

Originally Posted by LG123

I am looking to book a cruise that offers a military discount. My husband will not be cruising with us.

I am confused by what the required documentation is. This is what RCCL website states:

Spouses of actively deployed, or deceased military personnel, are eligible to book one stateroom as long as the eligible spouse is occupying the stateroom. All other guests traveling in the same stateroom are also eligible for the military rate. Spouse must present the PINK Dependent Military ID upon check-in as proof of eligibility.

I do have a current ID but it is not pink. My card is tan and does not change during deployments. Does anyone have any experience with receiving the discount when the soldier is not present. I do not want to book the cruise and then get to the port and be denied the discount.

Thanks!

Lori-ann

Lori-ann, I think the cruise lines are just not "up" on the current DOD ID system. All they want is to see your ID as proof that you ARE the eligible spouse of an elgible military member. I don't think they will actually care (or realize) what color your ID is. I think the difference in color of the dependant ID signifies whether your spouse is active-duty (tan dependent ID) or reserve-duty (pink dependant ID). But, as you and I know, these days most "reserve" military members are also "activated" and as such are also eligible for these military discounts. I do have the pink ID and have used the military discount several times without my military spouse present on the sailing, but not once have they ever asked to actually see my ID. So, you probably won't have to produce it anyway, but just be sure you have it with you. If you are still concerned, just call RCCL and ask about it. But, if your ID is valid, then you are eligible.

[mamacat3]

Bonnie is 100% correct!! Thanks for the great answer Bonnie!!

[DuchessSophie]

Originally Posted by Bonnie Voyager

Lori-ann, I think the cruise lines are just not "up" on the current DOD ID system. All they want is to see your ID as proof that you ARE the eligible spouse of an elgible military member. I don't think they will actually care (or realize) what color your ID is. I think the difference in color of the dependant ID signifies whether your spouse is active-duty (tan dependent ID) or reserve-duty (pink dependant ID). But, as you and I know, these days most "reserve" military members are also "activated" and as such are also eligible for these military discounts. I do have the pink ID and have used the military discount several times without my military spouse present on the sailing, but not once have they ever asked to actually see my ID. So, you probably won't have to produce it anyway, but just be sure you have it with you. If you are still concerned, just call RCCL and ask about it. But, if your ID is valid, then you are eligible.

My husband is in the regular Air Force (not guard or reserve) and I have a pink card. But I think you are 100% correct - there is a lot of confusion around who has what card - that as long as you have one is all that really matters!

[Aquahound]

For what it's worth, I have taken advantage of the military, police/fire, and locality discounts on almost every cruise. I have yet to be asked for an ID at check-in.

[mringenoldus]

The policy states that spouses of deployed or deceased may travel solo on the discount.

Like Bonnie, we frequently cruise on the military discount on several cruiselines and have never had anyone check military ID at checkin.

[LG123]

Thanks everyone!

[doublebzz]

Originally Posted by Aquahound

For what it's worth, I have taken advantage of the military, police/fire, and locality discounts on almost every cruise. I have yet to be asked for an ID at check-in.

Aquahound

You are absolutely right. I am retired military and retired state government employee. Of the many, many times I have taken advantage of a govt or military discounts on cruises, tours, hotels, etc., I have only been asked to show an ID once. Of course, on that one time it happened, I didn't have my state ID with me to show the hotel clerk. They honored the government rate anyway.

[alwayshappytocruise]

Originally Posted by Aquahound

For what it's worth, I have taken advantage of the military, police/fire, and locality discounts on almost every cruise. I have yet to be asked for an ID at check-in.

Same here, have never been asked. The tan ID card is all you would need to show but I'm willing to bet the price of your cruise (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit!!) that you won't be asked to show it. Those who check you in don't even work for the cruise line, have no idea what you paid for your trip etc.
Lynd

[Irishnana]

What about a surviving spouse of a deceased military veteran? What ID would be required?

[madforcruising]

Originally Posted by alwayshappytocruise

Those who check you in don't even work for the cruise line, have no idea what you paid for your trip etc.
Lynd

Are you sure about your statement. I think the people at check in are hired by the cruise line. However I don´t know about the military discount, but if you are travelling on a senior discount (which I assume might follow the same procedure as military discoutn) your cruise docs contain a note that you are travelling on a dicsounted fare and the check-in agents get this information.
There´s been some posts on CC where people got into trouble because they were travelling on a residency discount not being eligible for and caught at check-in, so I guess the check-in agents are capable of knowing who travels on discounted rates.

[alwayshappytocruise]

Originally Posted by madforcruising

Are you sure about your statement. I think the people at check in are hired by the cruise line. However I don´t know about the military discount, but if you are travelling on a senior discount (which I assume might follow the same procedure as military discoutn) your cruise docs contain a note that you are travelling on a dicsounted fare and the check-in agents get this information.
There´s been some posts on CC where people got into trouble because they were travelling on a residency discount not being eligible for and caught at check-in, so I guess the check-in agents are capable of knowing who travels on discounted rates.

I have to say that I agree with your post which is why at age 53, I've never tried to get the over 55 unless DH is with me (he's 59).........even though I could've save a few $!!! All I can tell you is that we sail frequently (live so close to PC) and used the military discount. When you are getting close to finalizing your ressie on line it will tell you what the correct form of ID is. Having used that military discount I've never been asked to show proof of ID. Since it's habit for anyone who is active duty or retired to carry it in their wallet it wouldn't be a problem to show it if asked at check-in.
Lynda

[robtulipe]

Originally Posted by madforcruising

Are you sure about your statement. I think the people at check in are hired by the cruise line. However I don´t know about the military discount, but if you are traveling on a senior discount (which I assume might follow the same procedure as military discount) your cruise docs contain a note that you are traveling on a discounted fare and the check-in agents get this information.
There´s been some posts on CC where people got into trouble because they were traveling on a residency discount not being eligible for and caught at check-in, so I guess the check-in agents are capable of knowing who travels on discounted rates.

Both resident and senior discounts if either is used will noted on your booking file and invoice as Promo Restrictions so is available at check in when they look up your booking. I have never been asked to provide document to support either a senior or resident discount and I usually book with one of these discounts. RCCI already has that info in your C&A or Capt's Club files but I guess that could be erroneous.

[doublebzz]

Originally Posted by Irishnana

What about a surviving spouse of a deceased military veteran? What ID would be required?

I believe the test is whether your ID card can access military benefits. For instance, if you can access the Post Exchange or commissary with your card, then, for sure, it will meet the cruise lines' criteria for a military discount.
I hope readers of this thread are not under the impression that the military discount is an expression of the cruise lines's patriotic sentiment. Like other incentives, its purpose is to sell cabins particularly on undersold cruises during the shoulder season. You won't find military discounts on prime sailings like over New Year. This is probably the reason for lax enforcement of qualifying documentation.

[Bonnie Voyager]

Originally Posted by doublebzz

I believe the test is whether your ID card can access military benefits. For instance, if you can access the Post Exchange or commissary with your card, then, for sure, it will meet the cruise lines' criteria for a military discount.
I hope readers of this thread are not under the impression that the military discount is an expression of the cruise lines's patriotic sentiment. Like other incentives, its purpose is to sell cabins particularly on undersold cruises during the shoulder season. You won't find military discounts on prime sailings like over New Year. This is probably the reason for lax enforcement of qualifying documentation.

I agree that their incentive for the military discount is to sell cabins, but we DID get a large military discount on our Easter week cruise last year on Liberty of the seas and that is certainly a "prime" sailing week and a "prime" ship. The ship ended up sold out that week. We had booked almost 2 years in advance and spotted the military discount about 6 months prior to sailing. The discount disappeared shortly after I snagged it too! We were able to switch from one category E balcony (for 2 passengers) and one inside cabin (for 3 passengers) to two side-by-side category D balconies (2 passengers in each cabin) and one inside single cabin across the hall and SAVED over $2000 in the process!!! It was my BEST military discount ever! It was also a terrific cruise, at any price!

But, I guess my point is that you should always keep your eyes out for that military discount if you are eligible, because you never know when it is going to pop up and/or disappear! If you see it, grab it!

[doublebzz]

Originally Posted by Bonnie Voyager

But, I guess my point is that you should always keep your eyes out for that military discount if you are eligible, because you never know when it is going to pop up and/or disappear! If you see it, grab it!

As someone who does 6 or so cruises a year, I couldn't agree more. As you are aware, cruise pricing is essentialy done by a sophisticated computer program and constantly adjusts for a particularly sailing based on number of cabins sold plus maybe other variables. I suspect very similar to the airline industry. I didn't mean to imply that there would no availability of military discounts on some prime sailings but clearly there would be a much better opportunity when cabin sales are slow. When determining how good your discount is, you should compare pricing to the lowest that the market is providing as opposed to a comparison over brochure pricing. On this basis, RCCL's average military discount on November cruises is around 10-15%. Not bad, but not as spectacular as some might expect.

[Bonnie Voyager]

Originally Posted by doublebzz

As someone who does 6 or so cruises a year, I couldn't agree more. As you are aware, cruise pricing is essentialy done by a sophisticated computer program and constantly adjusts for a particularly sailing based on number of cabins sold plus maybe other variables. I suspect very similar to the airline industry. I didn't mean to imply that there would no availability of military discounts on some prime sailings but clearly there would be a much better opportunity when cabin sales are slow. When determining how good your discount is, you should compare pricing to the lowest that the market is providing as opposed to a comparison over brochure pricing. On this basis, RCCL's average military discount on November cruises is around 10-15%. Not bad, but not as spectacular as some might expect.

I agree that the average military discount that I usually see is around 10-15% off the lowest current price, but the discount I got on Liberty last year was unbelievable and it was GONE almost as soon as it appeared! So I am thinking that perhaps I stumbled on to a computer ERROR before they got a chance to fix it? My GREAT price was gone within 24 hours of me snagging it! and the new price was not nearly as good! So, again, it pays to watch!