By Terrie Berry
Deployed military and their families are eligible to receive generous discounts from major cruise lines. The cruise lines offer the discounts as a way of honoring the men and women that serve the
United States. The discount received does not mean you get a "less than" cruise offer from what regular paying guests receive, on the contrary, you receive the royal treatment in an effort to help you enjoy some normalcy and family time.
Disney Cruise
Disney cruises headed up the discount plan for deployed military and their families and because of the overwhelming response, other cruise lines have followed suit. The Disney Cruises offer military personnel and their families a 25 percent discount. The discount applies to its three-night Bahamian Cruise, which departs from Port Canaveral, Florida and sails to Nassau, Castaway Cay and finally returning to Port Canaveral. Additionally, it offers a seven-night Caribbean Cruise that leaves from Port Canaveral, Florida and sails to Cozumel, Mexico. The Disney ships are impressive and include the Disney Dream, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. All are modern and can hold over 2,000 passengers. While aboard, enjoy the state-of-the-art fitness center, which is complete with yoga and aerobic classes. Enjoy several water sport activities aboard the ship as well as meeting the Disney characters that appear at various locations on the ship. The ships have tailored staterooms especially for families with some of the rooms being a full two-bedrooms with two bathrooms. The Disney Cruises are all-inclusive and include your room, meals and most entertainment.
Disney Cruise vacations
P.O. Box 10238
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(800) 951-3532
disneycruise.disney.go.com
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers discounts to deployed, active and retired military along with their families. The cruise line requests military personnel to call to make a reservation and to learn what current discount is being offering. Currently, discounts on all cruises and destinations for military personnel are being offered. A special code can be used when making reservations; as of January 2010, it is PGMR. Norwegian Cruise Line has over 120 ports of call with destinations to Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, New England, Europe, Caribbean, Panama Canal and the Mexican Rivera. The cruise line has 11 ships in its fleet, all of which offer first-class amenities. Enjoy the Mandara Spa experience to melt away all the stress. The cruise line offers a first class fitness center and sports room for adults and children alike. All of the ships also have on-board casinos for those that want to get a little gambling fun in. There are numerous on-board activities for children of all ages.
Norwegian Cruise Line
7665 Corporate Center Drive
Miami, FL 33126
(866) 234-0292
ncl.com
Carnival Cruise
Carnival Cruise Line also offers discounts for military; you can purchase the tickets online with a discount code. The discounts are for deployed, active, retired and National Guard Personal and their families, once you enter the code, you will see the amount of the discount. You must show your military identification as proof of your eligibility. The special fares apply to the Fun Ship departures only, which literally includes all of its ships. Carnival has 22 ships in its fleet with many different sizes, but one thing in common with them all is they offer exceptional amenities on board. Enjoy online dining, jogging, fitness center, spa and several activities and programs for children.
Carnival Cruise
3655 N.W. 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
(800) 929-6400
carnival.com
About the Author:
Terrie Berry, has a background in IT/management and has been writing since 1985. Berry writes for eHow.com, Trails.com, and for private clients. She holds a Bachelor of Science in occupational education from Wayland Baptist University and an Master of Business Administration from Baker College.
