Ahoy there, Brena!
Thanks for sailing by with such a great question. Disney Cruise Line is proud to honor military families with special savings on select sailings, which are featured on the Special Offers page and are updated frequently. Thank you, or your family members, if you have served our great nation which prompted you to browse these magical offers. My husband is a Veteran and not eligible for the typical "active or retired" requirement for most military rates, but I was pleased to learn that as a United States Department of Defense (U.S. DoD) civilian, our family CAN use these special cruise rates! I’m happy to share the details of this distinction with you. Please note that the eligibility criteria here is exclusive to Disney Cruise Line; the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort have different requirements.
Yes, U.S. DoD civilians and those who retired from the DoD are eligible. The identification card (Common Access Card, CAC) presented upon check-in must list DoD for civilians; retirees must present their DoD civilian retiree card for these savings.
Additionally, U.S. Military active duty members, retired members, or 100% Permanently Disabled Veterans (or their spouses) and the following branches of the government that support the U.S. Military ARE eligible for Military Rates:
- U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard
- National Guard and Reservists
- Public Health Service
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- National Security Agency
- Secret Service
- 100% Permanently Disabled Veterans with military ID - DAVPRM status printed on the front of the ID (Guests traveling with a DD214 Form are not eligible)
Please note the following ARE NOT eligible for these savings:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- International military branches
- Veterans (except DAVPRM status)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- NASA Johnson or Kennedy Space Center
- "Active deceased" or "retired deceased" members of the U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Government contractors
When you’re ready to book a vacation with these savings, the spouse of any of the qualified personnel may reserve the cruise at the special rate but divorced spouses are not eligible. Documentation of eligibility for these rates must be presented upon check-in. If you have any questions on the exact offer details, please don't hesitate to
call Disney Cruise Line to discuss.
I hope you are as delighted as I am about this broad eligibility for these magical
Military Rates, Brena! Please note that the sailings listed change frequently and while they are typically just around the riverbend into the next season, the savings are a great motivation to book your next adventure.
Please let us know what other questions you have, we'd love to help you plan a practically perfect cruise!
With gratitude,
Amy