When to book with military discount?

[Raya]

Good morning! I'm trying to plan a Halloween on the High Seas cruise for next Sept to Oct. We're eligible for the military discount, and I've been told September is a good time to get one. Great! My TA is telling me we can book now and try to apply the discount or wait until the discount is released to book.

A veranda room is very important to us, and for most of the cruises Inside and Outside staterooms aren't even available. That makes me think we should book now and try to apply later. But I'm wondering if booking now will reduce the chance the discount is even offered.

What do you recommend?

 

[lanejudy]

If date and room selection are important to you, book now. When/if MIL rates are released for that timeframe, your specific date may not be included and further usually only specific room categories are discounted so you may need to change your room. Decide what is important and book within your budget, then if a discount is released that fits your needs you can jump on it. Just be aware that I think you would need to cancel your existing reservation including any penalty, but I've heard that historically MIL discounts are so good that it's worth the cancellation penalty. What comes about for fall 2021 is anyone's guess at this point due to likely fewer passengers allowed and potentially limited ports.

 

[daedelus]

I agree with @lanejudy - if a veranda room is important, those tend to go quickly on certain cruises.

What you can do / try to do is book it now and get the room you want. Then, when (or if) military discounts become available, call DCL or your travel agent and see if they can apply it. Worst case, they book you into another room and then do a quick switch. DCL can do that easier since they can see all the inventory, but your travel agent might be able to as well.

Regardless, it might be worth your time to call DCL quick and ask about that exact scenario. They might tell you if those will be offered or give you an idea around timeframe.

Thank you for your service!

 

[plutolovr]

You would have to cancel and rebook if a military offer is released. Military offers are only applicable to new bookings.

 

[DLgal]

When military discounts are offered, it's only for very specific room categories. They hardly have category 4 rooms anymore, 5 is about the best you will get. They usually offer one of each room type (inside, outside, verandah). There is not usually much choice in room location, although you DO get to pick a cabin (unlike the GTY).

I wouldn't bother booking a room if you know you need to wait for the discount to be able to afford the trip. Because if you do and then do all the preplanning and booking, you will lose it all when you rebook the military rate. They can't just apply the rate to an existing booking. It all starts the process over. Also, be aware that you will often be stuck with late dining.

We have taken 2 cruises using the military discount. Booked them 3 weeks ahead of time.

 

[BarlowFamily]

If you want a certain stateroom, book now and don't look back. IF there is a military discount released for your cruise, it will likely be after your Paid-In-Full date. You'd get a partial refund and re-book but have less room choices. Sometimes the military discount can be worth it, even with a partial refund, but not always.

If you are flexible in dates/rooms, wait for the military discount! There have been great HOTHS military discounts for the past few years, but of course there is no guarantee.

We got a fantastic military rate on a Star wars cruise earlier this year, we didn't have great room choices...but we upgraded at check-in. The military rates need to be paid in full the moment you book. We've done two early booked/regular price cruises and one military rate cruise (last minute). We are booked for Alaska next year because we wanted a certain room and weren't sure if there would be a military discount for the specific cruise we wanted. But we plan on booking mostly military discounts from here on out. Even after upgrading, the military rate was less than the itinerary release price, which is typically the lowest and just creeps up from there as the cruise gets closer.