Military Rates

[beachfanatic]

Has anyone been questioned at boarding for proper paperwork to prove Military rates. We have ours but I was just curious if they check regularly.

[GophersMN]

I've found that military discounts are more the exception than the rule. I rarely see them, especially if you want a "high season" sailing, which I guess is to be expected....I'd love to see some company come out with a policy that would grant a discount for a retired(20yrs+ of service) military person, or one who is disabled from military service on ANY sailing.....I'll get off my soapbox now........

[mike215]

In Dec 2009 I used a military rate on the Constellation. At boarding time I was not asked for proper documentation.

[raudacruise]

On our last cruise they had discounts both for residents of certain states and veterans - the discount was the same in either case so it was easier to use the state discount. But we were not asked for our drivers license or anything else to prove the discount. Maybe because we purchased through a brick/morter TA. Don't know.

[Denny01]

On our Solstice cruise, we got a Military Discount, and when arrived at the port for ticketing, was asked for documentation. I showed by retired ID an that sufficed.

 

Denny

[Amy from Delaware]

Do you know if a widow of a disabled veteran (with ID) is entitled to the discount?

[cosaraquis1]

Yes, you are entitled to the discount, provided you have the proper documents.

[Amy from Delaware]

Yes, you are entitled to the discount, provided you have the proper documents.

 

Thanks for letting me know. I'll remember to click that choice also when I check rates :)

[shorning]

Does anyone who was in the military with an honorable discharge qualify for the military discount or is it just for retired and disabled military? Thanks.

[DocJohnB]

Does anyone who was in the military with an honorable discharge qualify for the military discount or is it just for retired and disabled military? Thanks.

 

They do. From Celebrity's website.

 

 

To qualify for a military rate, an individual must be classified as one of the following:

 

1. Active personnel currently serving in the Canadian National Defense; United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserves. Proper identification in the form of a United States Uniformed Services WHITE Identification Card for U.S. military personnel, and a WHITE N.D.21 Identification Card with a Red Canadian Flag displayed for Canadian National Defense personnel, must be presented at time of check-in.

 

2. Retired from any of the divisions listed directly above. "Retired" is defined as A) enlisted personnel or officers with a minimum of 20 years of service, B) medically retired, or C) 100% disabled. Proper identification for those classified in category A, or B must be in the form of a United States Uniformed BLUE Identification Card. Proper identification for those classified in category C is a United States Uniformed TAN Identification Card. Retired Canadian National Defense personnel are eligible and must possess the same white card as described above for active personnel. All forms of identification must be presented at time of check-in.

 

3. Veterans with an Honorable Discharge serving a minimum of 2 years, or 6-months in an active war zone, in any of the United States service divisions listed above. Proper identification in the form of a DD 214, plus a current photo must be presented at time of check-in.

[woodofpine]

They do. From Celebrity's website.

 

Veterans with an Honorable Discharge serving a minimum of 2 years, or 6-months in an active war zone, in any of the United States service divisions listed above. Proper identification in the form of a DD 214, plus a current photo must be presented at time of check-in.

 

"Active war zone" - Military personnell get all their monthly pay free of all Federal income tax with they spend one day of the month in a "war zone".

 

A lot of Med cruisers spend time in these tax free "war zones".., places like Turkey and Athens... There are other places so classified that might surprise you.

 

Vets report that there are LOTS of 'fly-in' 24-72 hour (tax dodge) assignments in these and other "war zones". Salute the 'war heroes'!

[snowwmax]

On our Solstice cruise, we got a Military Discount, and when arrived at the port for ticketing, was asked for documentation. I showed by retired ID an that sufficed.

 

Denny

 

Both times I booked a Military Rate I was required to provide proof at check in. I meet someone on the last cruise that was denied the Military Rate as he forgot his ID at home.

[giles33]

"Active war zone" - Military personnell get all their monthly pay free of all Federal income tax with they spend one day of the month in a "war zone".

 

A lot of Med cruisers spend time in these tax free "war zones".., places like Turkey and Athens... There are other places so classified that might surprise you.

 

Vets report that there are LOTS of 'fly-in' 24-72 hour (tax dodge) assignments in these and other "war zones". Salute the 'war heroes'!

 

Pretty bold statement ... how much combat have you seen?

[Snorkel2Much]

"Active war zone" - Military personnell get all their monthly pay free of all Federal income tax with they spend one day of the month in a "war zone".

 

A lot of Med cruisers spend time in these tax free "war zones".., places like Turkey and Athens... There are other places so classified that might surprise you.

 

Vets report that there are LOTS of 'fly-in' 24-72 hour (tax dodge) assignments in these and other "war zones". Salute the 'war heroes'!

Before you speak more on a subject you appear to know little about, try reading pages 15 and 16 here: http://comptroller.defense.gov/fmr/07a/07a_44.pdf

paying close attention to the areas covered, effective dates, and the "direct support of combat" clause.

[Snorkel2Much]

Has anyone been questioned at boarding for proper paperwork to prove Military rates. We have ours but I was just curious if they check regularly.

I used a Mil rate on Solstice in June 2010, had my 214 ready but was not asked to show it.

[GeorgiaPeach51]

"Active war zone" - Military personnell get all their monthly pay free of all Federal income tax with they spend one day of the month in a "war zone".

 

A lot of Med cruisers spend time in these tax free "war zones".., places like Turkey and Athens... There are other places so classified that might surprise you.

 

Vets report that there are LOTS of 'fly-in' 24-72 hour (tax dodge) assignments in these and other "war zones". Salute the 'war heroes'!

 

Why so bitter? (And, ill-informed, I think, yet quoting this as fact).

[woodofpine]

And EXACTLY what fact did I cite that is mistaken?

 

OK quite a few places have been redesignated. I simply hear echos of Eisenhower's last State of the Union address in the country's present national debt, budget, and foreign affairs. Excuse me for feeling the country has a few 'issues' when the military is the only employer hiring that offers decent benefits and near 60% of the tax goes to it... more than the Sec.D even wants...

[MessyJessy]

"Active war zone" - Military personnell get all their monthly pay free of all Federal income tax with they spend one day of the month in a "war zone".

 

A lot of Med cruisers spend time in these tax free "war zones".., places like Turkey and Athens... There are other places so classified that might surprise you.

 

Vets report that there are LOTS of 'fly-in' 24-72 hour (tax dodge) assignments in these and other "war zones". Salute the 'war heroes'!

 

I normally don't comment on posts like these but I will this time.

 

I wish there was a dislike button for this post.

[getaway101]

I've found that military discounts are more the exception than the rule. I rarely see them, especially if you want a "high season" sailing, which I guess is to be expected....I'd love to see some company come out with a policy that would grant a discount for a retired(20yrs+ of service) military person, or one who is disabled from military service on ANY sailing.....I'll get off my soapbox now........

 

You are right they are far and few between. But we have taken 2 on Royal C. and gotten very good rates. My husband is a disabled vet. They did ask for I.D. one time out of the two.

[bardstowntraveller]

Our October TA is offering huge military discounts. I have never checked rates before but am glad someone on my rollcall point out the discount. My husband served and we have his DD 214. It saved us $900 off our cruise

[Jobeth66]

I normally don't comment on posts like these but I will this time.

 

I wish there was a dislike button for this post.

 

I'm with you. As the daughter of a vet, daughter-in-law of a vet, sister of a vet, wife of a vet, and mom of a currently active-duty Airman, I know what our military members go through and how little they get paid for what they do.

 

Personally, I'd like to see all military pay non-taxable. Of course, when my husband was in, with 3 kids we rarely had to pay income tax anyway. He made less than $2k/month during Desert Storm, and we qualified for food stamps. Never took them, but I knew plenty of families who did. I've got an old LES somewhere from 1983 or 1984 where he was making less than $600/mo.

 

I don't begrudge our armed services members a single thing.

[Snorkel2Much]

And EXACTLY what fact did I cite that is mistaken?

 

OK quite a few places have been redesignated. I simply hear echos of Eisenhower's last State of the Union address in the country's present national debt, budget, and foreign affairs. Excuse me for feeling the country has a few 'issues' when the military is the only employer hiring that offers decent benefits and near 60% of the tax goes to it... more than the Sec.D even wants...

Since you've asked:

 

You presented 3 sentences in your opening post. The first was absolutely correct and no one here disputed it. The second was proven patently false, particularly how you made it sound like there were "Secret Garden Spots" in the Med that are actually fraudulent military elite tax havens. I have yet to see you explain how you came up with your third unprovable "statement of fact", especially as it builds on the falsehoods and exaggerations presented in statement #2.

 

You did ask. Now can we get back to cruising?

[woodofpine]

Since you've asked:

 

You presented 3 sentences in your opening post. The first was absolutely correct and no one here disputed it. The second was proven patently false, particularly how you made it sound like there were "Secret Garden Spots" in the Med that are actually fraudulent military elite tax havens. I have yet to see you explain how you came up with your third unprovable "statement of fact", especially as it builds on the falsehoods and exaggerations presented in statement #2.

 

You did ask. Now can we get back to cruising?

 

I apologize to combat vets, particularly the disabled...

 

Athens and Turkey aren't 'tax free' combat zones but they are 'combat zones' for pay purposes (daily/monthly)... Good enough for bonus combat pay, but not the IRS (go figure).

 

Pardon my cynicism, but prior to a canal cruise, my exposure to Panama included getting drunk with some airmen at the brand new and latter to be invaded Marriott. The Major or Lt.Col. buying the drinks insisted on buying since, as he said, "You're paying for it anyway, DOD picks up the hotel bill." The staff Sgt with us grinned. The officer had been staying in an exclusive poolside cabana for 3-4 months - papers lost - awaiting orders (having escorted Kissinger on a peace mission through Sandistista Nicaragua months before). In fact, back then, 20-30% of ALL the 4 star hotels in Panama City were US military bunks... Cap Weinberger did a good job funding. Now Gates is complaining that Congress is over funding (again or did it ever stop). I'm just a payor.

 

No, I've not been 'in combat' unless one is talking about 'combat zones' for military pay. But I've worked in PXs and I've flown through combat zones (including Iraq) in wartime. I didn't get a pay enhancement. SCUBAed with a Navy trained divemaster (that could never explain his 'civilian' visa status except with a grin) in the Arabian Gulf; that was fun.

 

Sure - give the military guys their breaks, its not the easiest life; sorry for the cynicism, sign me up!

[BBsails]

If your cruise offers a military discount after final payment, will =X= honor it? We booked after the May 17 policy change.

 

Betsy

[Wine-O]

If your cruise offers a military discount after final payment, will =X= honor it? We booked after the May 17 policy change.

 

Betsy

 

You will get no OBC, but you would be able to upgrade and pay what ever difference, if any.