Has Anyone successfully sailed on a Military Discount DCL rate?

[Wendy M.]

I'm a first time cruiser (family of 4), and trying to understand the strategies for getting good rates. We are still open as to which dates, duration, and destinations.

Would Opening day rates be more competitive than a military rate (assuming one is offered)? I believe that a reservation can not be changed to a military rate if one comes available, with out penalties.

Can a travel agent handle Military Discounts (with OBC offers) or is it best to book through the DCL site itself?

How do IGT/OGT/VGT rates compare to Military Fares?

Are Military Fares more likely to be offered in the Fall/Winter? Are they typically short notice?

I'm hoping to understand the pros/cons/trade-offs with each type of fare.

Thank you!

 

[Jen B.]

I am just speaking from experience. I am a spouse off an active duty service member with 2 young kids. We are getting ready to sail in December for the first time on a military fare and are saving a substantial amount. Disney cruise lines posts which sailings are at a discount every Monday on their website. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-rates/#! Just click on the book now tab under "view all eligible sailings" and put your family info in to see what is available. Some are short notice and require full payment at time of booking while others give you more notice. I personally like the short notice because my husband doesn't know a year or more out whether he will be able to take leave. We are on a reposition that we are paying $2855 for a 5 night merrytime cruise on the disney magic in a room (deluxe family oceanview with verandah) that is almost $2000 more without the discount. You can use a TA or just do it directly through the site. Whether or not you make changes and incur a penalty depends on the amount of time between when you book and when the sail date is and the length of sailing.

 

[lanejudy]

Pretty much any special offer rate is posted relatively short-notice -- meaning, within the penalty period, which means generally less than 75 days prior to sailing. "Opening day" rates may be a better deal, but by the time you would know that it's obviously much too late to go back and book.

I have read occasional reports of the MTO rate being "so good" as to be worth taking the cancellation penalty and re-booking. I suppose it may depend on a variety of factors including when you initially booked. Also keep in mind that an MTO offer may not be available for every cruise date, and generally are for specific categories.

A TA should be able to book a special offer for you. Whether they then give OBC or other perks depends on the TA.

If you really want a specific date and/or itinerary, I'd suggest booking as soon as possible to secure a good fare. There is no guarantee any special offer will be made. If you are very flexible with dates and destinations, you can watch for specials. Keep in mind that port excursions and/or onboard activities may be "sold out" if you wait to book a last minute special.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[scgustafson]

Our first DCL cruise was the only one that we have used the Military (MTO) rate on. We booked a 4-night Bahamas on Disney Dream in a Category 4E around 70-days before the cruise, and it was definitely less than the prevailing rate for the same category. After that, we have always booked our other 11 cruises well ahead of time, usually on opening day with a placeholder. I think that I only saw an MTO rate offered on 3 of those, and it was not for the same category (they were all lesser than what I booked) and was definitely not worth the cost of change to use. Granted we take very few of the "normal" itineraries, so our cruises usually are not in need of being filled to offer an MTO rate.
If your schedule allows you the flexibility to book an MTO rate on a cruise that you were not considering, but want to do, or on a cruise that you are good missing out on if MTO is not offered, it is great. For us, we like to have our cruises planned out well in advance, especially since we do a lot of European or specialty itineraries, booking opening day with a placeholder is a much better way to go for our vacation plans.
I would check with your TA on whether on they will still offer OBC on specialty rates, I know that ours will.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We also saved significantly using the military rate on our Canada Coast cruise. Well over $2000 savings for our family of 5. Did it all over the phone and showed my CAC at check in. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to combine the on board booking discount with the military discount - only one coupon per purchase, I guess.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

We have sailed with MTOs. It's a great savings and only comparable to what Cast Members get (from what I have read). It beats all other prices. We have also always booked with a travel agent and coupled the OBC with the MTO with no issues. DCL only offers them if the ship isn't filling as much as they would like and I've never seen them offered before the PIF date, so you have to be flexible on dates. I have never seen them offered on Alaska cruises b/c those tend to fill with no issues. I have not seen them offered on the Med cruises since 2014 (I could have missed a sailing here, but I don't think so). They are inconsistent, but a great deal if you can grab one.

 

[tink1970]

We've done some MTO cruises and they are usually very well priced. Unfortunately, I have started to get picky about my cabin so utilize them less than in the past.

I have never seen them offered on Alaska cruises

Actually we were able to sail on a May 2012 Alaskan cruise out of Seattle on an MTO. It was very short fused (I think scheduled in March?) but a great price and like all AK cruises, wonderful.

 

[Nicks80]

We used the military rate last year for a southern Caribbean cruise out of San Juan. Seven nights for an inside room (2 adults, 1 child) was $2500. We opted to get a veranda room for about $3000 which was still cheaper than a regular inside room. We booked about 75 days out and had to pay in full at time of booking. We were able to book through costco (you just have to call to book instead of online) so we also received a costco card after the cruise that was about $350. We had no problems getting the excursins wanted or the Pali dinner. Palo brunch was sold out, but we didn't really want to do that. If you are flexible, it can be a great cost savings!

 

[cruiser21]

There is a thread that lists military rates. Yes they are better than booking on opening day. Yes many on here book these successfully. They normally only offer GT rates on cruises that arent selling so often times they are better then opening day. It really depends on how flexible and spontaneous you are. Many people can't fathom the idea of not planning a trip for a year and others can't fathom waiting that long for a vacation. I guess it just depends on your personality.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Actually we were able to sail on a May 2012 Alaskan cruise out of Seattle on an MTO. It was very short fused (I think scheduled in March?) but a great price and like all AK cruises, wonderful.

That's great! I've only been watching Ak since 2014, so that makes sense. I've not seen one in that time. Could have missed it though!

Does anyone know their policy regarding National Guard members using the MTO discount? I know that you need to have on active duty servie within that year, but what do they consider active duty service? Are they looking for Title 10 orders or would Title 32 count?

This is what the DCL site says: "Activated members (or spouse) of the U.S. National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve must also show active duty orders (active duty papers must be dated as of January 1st of the previous year to qualify)."

 

[DisneyJenn23]

We have sailed with MTOs. It's a great savings and only comparable to what Cast Members get (from what I have read). It beats all other prices. We have also always booked with a travel agent and coupled the OBC with the MTO with no issues. DCL only offers them if the ship isn't filling as much as they would like and I've never seen them offered before the PIF date, so you have to be flexible on dates. I have never seen them offered on Alaska cruises b/c those tend to fill with no issues. I have not seen them offered on the Med cruises since 2014 (I could have missed a sailing here, but I don't think so). They are inconsistent, but a great deal if you can grab one.

I wish the current military rates were comparable to cast rates! I would be traveling all the time. In the past, they used to be an excellent savings. Don't get me wrong, they are still great, but we did a 7 day in a verandah room for $750. What I have seen recently is usually about 25% off the current rate, where cast member rates that I have seen are closer to 50% off.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

I wish the current military rates were comparable to cast rates! I would be traveling all the time. In the past, they used to be an excellent savings. Don't get me wrong, they are still great, but we did a 7 day in a verandah room for $750. What I have seen recently is usually about 25% off the current rate, where cast member rates that I have seen are closer to 50% off.

Maybe it just depends on the sailing. The two MTO European cruises we took were 9 and 11 nights and were about 50% off the pre-PIF rate (rates dropped a bit after the PIF). We also took a short five-day on an MTO and I honestly don't know about it because I wasn't watching it before we decided on a last-minute trip. But I did just look at a Florida sailing on the Fantasy and you are correct. So maybe it depends on the ship and the sailing. Or maybe the savings isn't as great anymore. They do seem to be offering more sailings right now than I've seen in a while, so maybe less discount on more sailings.

 

[Wendy M.]

Everyone, thank you for your replies; all very helpful. I was able to find the thread with pricing info using the MTO acronym. I figured there must be a thread but couldn't find it until now.

We'll keep a look out for those military rates and see if any work out for us.

 

[Jen B.]

I just checked the Disney cruise website every Monday to see what sailings were available.

 

[darnheather]

Remind me is it for retired military personnel and families as well? If so then this will be a great option when my children no longer want to/their schedules don't allow them to cruise with me. My spouse will be retiring in a few years and maybe by then he'll want to come along or I'll just cruise solo last minute.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Valid for retirees as well.

 

[Irja]

Is it still true that the military rates for last minute sailings are better than booking on the first day? I have a lot of the same questions as the original poster but this is a year and a half later.....

 

[n2mm]

I wish the current military rates were comparable to cast rates! I would be traveling all the time. In the past, they used to be an excellent savings. Don't get me wrong, they are still great, but we did a 7 day in a verandah room for $750. What I have seen recently is usually about 25% off the current rate, where cast member rates that I have seen are closer to 50% off.

Mostly Fl residents and military rates run about 25% off. My first cruise was with our CM friends. The CM got 50% off and friends/family got 40% off, plus gratuity was included. I now screen shot my opening day prices. I still find opening day prices along with the placeholder discount and double obc (placeholder + Dreams Unlimited) is still the best price. I’ve booked VGT cruises for general public which is 20% off current rates. My spouse is a Vietnam vet, but not eligible for the military discount.

 

[DLgal]

We did it back in 2012. Booked 3 weeks before sail date. Got a 4D cabin at like a 60% discount. It was awesome. But that was back when they actually offered category 4 staterooms. They really don't anymore. Cat 5 is the best you can do and those are just too small for us.

All MTO rates are VERY last minute, but they are offered all year on all ships and most sailings. You have to pay in full at the time you book and cannot cancel or make any changes, so you'd better buy travel insurance!

 

[JoeFromSeoul]

Disney was advertising a 20% discount on GTY rates that sounded good. I contacted Dreams Unlimited about the offe and was told my military discount rate was considerably less expensive. We booked in March and sail next week.