How does military pricing work?

[Ravenne]

A friend of mine is military, is interested in DCL (would be first timers) and asked me for advice, but I know nothing about DCL's military pricing or timing of their military pricing since I'm not military. How exactly does it work? Does DCL usually release military pricing a while after opening day prices? Before PIF date? What's the best money saving booking strategy for military? Should they book on opening day just to lock in that opening day pricing, then watch for military rates and switch?

 

[MunFam]

We sailed on the 2015 WBPC cruise on an MTO (military) rate. They had 50 cabins available and they went quickly. It used to be easier to find the military rates (when they are available). I happened to see the {poster} that updates all the sales post about the WBPC MTO offer and booked it within a few hours of it becoming available. That date was right around Valentines Day and we sailed May 1st (so approx 10 weeks out). Within a day or two, it was no longer available. We paid more for our cabin then we would have if we had booked opening day pricing...but I feel like DCL may have the military rates at the last minute specifically because service members rarely can plan a year plus in advance. You never know when you will get orders to deploy.

So if your friend knows a year in advance that he/she can get the leave (which I have never heard of) then book on opening day, but for us, we had to wait until we were about 16 weeks out to get leave approved.

 

[Ravenne]

Does the military service member have to be on the reservation to take advantage of military rate, or can it be just the spouse? My friend's husband is Army, and while she hasn't specified whether or not her husband would go along, I wouldn't be surprised if she did the trip with just her and her kids.

 

[MunFam]

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-rates/

It appears that an active duty spouse can sail as long as they have the proper ID.

 

[CurtisB]

Usually the military rates come out after the PIF date. They update the list of available discounted cruises on the website on Mondays. Either the military member or spouse has to be in the room and they can only book one stateroom. We have taken advantage of the military rates a few times since we don't have kids and can go at just about any time. The discount is also available to retirees.

 

[Ofinn]

There is a thread that keeps track of all the military discounts. I believe there are a quite a few sailings being offered right now. Like with all discounts they are offered on cruises that haven't sold out by the PIF date. You will see them at about 60 days out.

 

[houseofduck]

There is a thread that keeps track of all the military discounts. I believe there are a quite a few sailings being offered right now. Like with all discounts they are offered on cruises that haven't sold out by the PIF date. You will see them at about 60 days out.

The exceptions to the 60 days out are the cruises with longer PIF dates like the Panama Canal cruises. There are military rates for the EBPC in August already.

 

[houseofduck]

This is the thread started by @Justacruiser that tracks the discounts:

http://disboards.com/threads/curren...scounts-and-my-sleeper-rates.3244232/page-123

 

[Ravenne]

Thank you, all!

 

[tink1970]

We've sailed a couple of times on MTOs...just make sure someone can produce a military ID. I'm definite once we were asked, and possibly both times.
These rates are not guaranteed for every cruise; they aren't "sure things" so if there's a must do itinerary or date, I wouldn't plan on using an MTO.