“Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay. But we can honor their sacrifice, and we must.” – President Barack Obama

As May ushers in warmer weather and the promise of summer, Memorial Day weekend stands out as a beacon of fun, sun, relaxation, and a long weekend. Although we tend to get caught up on decorations and firing up the grills let us not forget it is a day to honor the heroes who bravely served our country and remember their courage and sacrifice.

Memorial Day has evolved from its somber Civil War origins to become a day of national reverence, a time when we honor those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. It’s a day immersed in history, marked by ceremonies and silent salutes to fallen heroes. Yet, it’s also a time for living veterans to feel the warmth of gratitude that a grateful nation can offer. And what better way to embody this gratitude than through the grand gesture of relaxation and escape? This is where our esteemed cruise lines come into play, extending a salute of their own.

With waves of appreciation, they offer exclusive discounts to those who’ve donned the uniform, ensuring that our veterans can set sail into serene waters, reflecting on the past with honor and looking forward to horizons filled with peace and leisure. So, as we remember the valor of the past, let’s embrace the present with opportunities for our veterans to cruise into a well-deserved getaway. 🚢🎖️

 “We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage.” —Theodore Roosevelt

#1 CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Carnival Cruise Line celebrates and recognizes military members with a variety of special tributes and offerings:

Military Appreciation Day: A day-long celebration held on every Carnival cruise, featuring a special gathering to honor the courage and commitment of soldiers and their families. The atrium is adorned with a large stars-and-stripes display all day.

Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge: Available on the newest ships, this lounge is a dedicated space where guests can gather in recognition of military heroes. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of souvenir pint glasses and Heroes American Pale Ale goes to Operation Homefront.

Free Cruise Sweepstakes: Each month, one military member wins a free cruise. Entry is simple—just swipe your Sail & Sign card at the Military Appreciation Gathering.Special Discounts: Carnival offers exclusive savings and special discounts for members of the military, which can be a significant benefit when planning a cruise vacation.

These gestures are part of Carnival’s deeper commitment to honoring those who serve, providing a way for military families to enjoy a relaxing and fun-filled cruise experience. 🚢🎖️

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE ON A CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP!

#2 ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINES

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line honors military members with special rates and recognition programs:

Special Rates: They offer special rates for police, firefighters, and military members on select sailings to recognize and reward those who serve their country and community.

Eligibility: To qualify for a military rate, at least one guest in the stateroom must be an active or retired member of the U.S. or Canadian military, or a veteran with an honorable discharge after serving a minimum of 2 years or 6 months in an active war zone.

Proof of Service: Eligible military personnel must present valid proof of service, such as a military ID, upon check-in1.

Family Benefits: Spouses of actively deployed military personnel can book one stateroom, and the rate also applies to all other guests traveling in the same stateroom. Spouses of deceased military personnel are also eligible for the military rate. These offerings are a gesture of gratitude from Royal Caribbean, acknowledging the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families. It’s a way to ensure that those who have served can enjoy a vacation at sea with a little extra appreciation. 🚢🎖️

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE ON A ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE SHIP!

#3 CELEBRITY CRUISE LINES

Celebrity Cruise Line shows its appreciation for military members with special savings and recognition:

Military Cruise Deal: They offer cruise fare savings as a token of thanks for the service of veterans.

Discount Amounts: Savings vary based on the type of stateroom, with $25 off for Inside and Ocean View, and $100 off for Veranda, Concierge Class, AquaClass®, or The Retreat.

Eligibility: The discount is available for the first and second guest in the same stateroom, and at least one guest must be an active, retired, or veteran member of the United States military.

Proof of Service: To avail of the discount, eligible military personnel must present valid proof of service, such as a military ID card, at the pier.

These benefits are Celebrity’s way of saying “thank you” to those who have served, allowing them to enjoy a luxurious cruise experience at a more accessible price. 🚢🎖️

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE ON A CELEBRITY CRUISE SHIP!

#4 DISNEY CRUISE LINES

Disney Cruise Line honors military members with special offers and recognition:

Special Military Rates: Disney Cruise Line provides special rates on select cruises for active and retired U.S. military personnel, including the Coast Guard, National Guard, Military Reserves, and Department of Defense personnel.

Eligibility: To qualify for these rates, military members or their spouses must present valid proof of service, such as a military ID.

Booking Limit: These special rates are limited to a maximum of one stateroom per military member, per sailing.

Sailings: The discounts are available on various sailings, including Bahamian, Mediterranean, Western Europe, Western Caribbean, Alaskan, and even transpacific cruises. Disney Cruise Line’s military discounts are a way to thank those who serve by offering them a magical and memorable vacation experience at sea. 🚢🎖️

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TO BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE ON DISNEY CRUISE LINE!

#5 NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) celebrates and recognizes military members through their Military Appreciation Program, which offers several benefits:

10% Off All Cruise Fares: Active military, reserves, National Guard, veterans, and their spouses receive a 10% discount on all cruise fares, which extends to the entire stateroom1.

Combinable With Free At Sea: This discount can be combined with NCL’s Free At Sea offer, which includes benefits like FREE Unlimited Open Bar, FREE Airfare, and more.

Exclusive Onboard Experiences: Military members and their spouses are treated to exclusive experiences and recognition onboard, including a welcome reception and special amenities.

Collectible Military Challenge Coin: Guests who book under the Military Appreciation Program receive a collectible military challenge coin, pins to designate program participation, and collectible patches customized for each ship in the NCL fleet.

Honor and Remember Support: NCL supports the Honor and Remember flag mission, which is a symbol of remembrance for families who have lost a loved one in military service. These offerings are NCL’s way of honoring the dedication and service of military members and their families, ensuring they can enjoy a memorable cruise experience. 🚢🎖️

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE ON A NORWEGIAN CRUISE SHIP!

#6 PRINCESS CRUISE LINES

Princess Cruises honors military members with their Military Cruise Benefit Program, offering a range of benefits:

Onboard Spending Money: They provide up to $250 in free onboard spending money for veterans as well as active, retired, or disabled military personnel.

Voyage Length Benefits: The amount of onboard credit varies with the length of the voyage—$50 for 6 days or less, $100 for 7-13 days, and $250 for voyages 14 days or longer.

Eligibility: This offer is valid for a maximum of two military personnel per booking and is combinable with other onboard credit offers.

Usage: The onboard credit can be used for a variety of amenities and experiences, including spa treatments, specialty dining, onboard boutiques, and shore excursions.

Application: Military personnel must apply for this benefit no later than 14 days prior to the cruise departure date. This program is Princess Cruises’ way of expressing gratitude to the brave men and women who serve their country, providing them with extra amenities to enjoy during their cruise. 🚢🎖️

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE ON A PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP!

#7 HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE LINES

Holland America Line expresses its gratitude to military members with a special appreciation offer:

Onboard Credit: Active, retired, and veteran military personnel receive an Onboard Credit of $100 per stateroom when booking a new cruise.

Eligibility: This offer is applicable for eligible military service members and is available on select sailings.

Usage: The onboard credit can be used for various onboard amenities and activities, such as shore excursions, spa treatments, beverages, specialty dining, gift shop purchases, and more1.

This offer is Holland America’s way of saying thank you to those who have served, providing a little extra enjoyment during their cruise experience. 🚢🎖️

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE ON HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE SHIP!

#8 MSC CRUISE LINES

MSC Cruise Line shows its appreciation for military members with a variety of benefits and discounts:

Discounts on Staterooms: They offer a 5% discount on Interior and Ocean View staterooms, and a 10% discount on Balcony, Suite, and MSC Yacht Club staterooms.

Family Benefits: The military discount can be applied to multiple staterooms, allowing family members including spouses, parents, in-laws, and dependent children to enjoy the savings.

Redeployment Policy: There are no penalties for redeployment. Military personnel receive a 100% future cruise credit that is valid for two years from the cancellation date, provided the cancellation is made no later than 15 days prior to the cruise departure.

Kids Sail Free: On select sailings, MSC offers a ‘kids sail free’ promotion, which can be a significant benefit for families. These offerings reflect MSC Cruise Line’s commitment to honoring those who serve by providing special considerations that make it easier for military families to enjoy a cruise vacation. 🚢🎖️

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE ON A MSC CRUISE SHIP!

As we wrap up our tribute to the brave men and women who have served, let’s set our sights on the horizon and the adventures that await. Booking your Memorial Day cruise is a breeze; simply visit our website, or give us a call, and ask about the military discounts.

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” —Maya Angelou