Princess Cruises says thank you to the military community with free money to spend onboard — not a percentage off the fare, but actual onboard spending credit you can use for shore excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments, and boutiques. Through the year-round Military Cruise Benefit Program, eligible service members and veterans receive $50, $100, or $250 in onboard spending money depending on cruise length — on any Princess cruise, to any destination.
Unlike seasonal promos, this benefit is available all year and applies to every sailing. If you’re planning a military reunion cruise, a family vacation, or a honeymoon at sea, here’s how to claim your credit.
Who is Eligible for the Princess Cruises Military Discount?
Princess’s Military Cruise Benefit Program is open to a broad slice of the military community, per the company’s official program page:
- Active-duty military — currently serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Veterans — anyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces
- Retired military — retirees from any branch
- Branch coverage — U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves
- Canadian National Defense Forces — active, retired, and veteran members of Canada’s military also qualify
Military status must be verified with proof of service — such as a military ID or discharge documentation. The benefit is tied to the eligible individual and is non-transferable.
How Much Military Discount Does Princess Cruises Provide?
Princess provides free onboard spending money, scaled to the length of your cruise. Per the official program page (updated June 2026):
- $50 onboard credit — for cruises of 6 days or less
- $100 onboard credit — for cruises of 7 to 13 days
- $250 onboard credit — for cruises of 14 days or longer
Key facts about the value:
- Spendable onboard — use the credit for shore excursions, specialty dining, spa services, and onboard boutiques
- Any cruise, any destination — the program applies year-round to every Princess sailing, with no blackout itineraries stated on the official page
- Not combinable with casino credits — the military onboard credit cannot be combined with casino credits
For a 14-day sailing, the $250 credit can cover a shore excursion, a romantic specialty-dining dinner, and a spa session — real vacation money back in your pocket.
How to Claim the Princess Cruises Military Discount
Claiming the onboard credit requires a short application before you sail. Follow these steps:
- Book your Princess cruise. Choose any Princess sailing to any destination. The military benefit applies year-round — learn more on Princess’s official Military Cruise Benefit Program page.
- Complete the Military Benefit Program form. Fill out the application on the Princess website. U.S. residents verify their military status online; Canadian National Defense Forces members apply via a PDF form.
- Apply at least 14 days before departure. Princess requires the application to be received a minimum of 14 days prior to your sailing date — don’t leave this until the last minute.
- Have proof of service ready. Be prepared to document your military status with a military ID or discharge documentation during verification.
- Enjoy your onboard credit. Once approved, the credit is applied to your onboard account for the sailing — spend it on excursions, specialty dining, the spa, or the boutiques.
FAQs About the Princess Cruises Military Discount
How much onboard credit do I get?
It depends on cruise length: $50 for cruises of 6 days or less, $100 for 7–13 days, and $250 for 14 days or more, per Princess’s official program page.
Can retired military and veterans use the Princess military benefit?
Yes. The program covers veterans, active-duty, and retired members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves — plus active, retired, and veteran members of the Canadian National Defense Forces.
Does the Princess military credit apply to any destination?
Yes. Princess describes the benefit as available all year on any cruise to any destination — there are no itinerary blackouts stated on the official program page.
How far in advance do I need to apply?
Your application must be received at least 14 days before departure. Apply early so verification and credit application complete in time.
What can I spend the onboard credit on?
The credit is usable for shore excursions, specialty dining, spa services, and onboard boutiques. It cannot be combined with casino credits, and it is non-transferable.
Is the Princess military benefit available year-round?
Yes. Princess presents the Military Cruise Benefit Program as a year-round program, not a seasonal promotion — it applies to every sailing.
