For many active duty service members and veterans, a cruise with Princess Cruises is more than a vacation. It is a chance to reconnect with family, decompress after demanding deployments and enjoy time at sea that someone else is finally in charge of planning.
Princess Cruises recognizes that service and offers a dedicated Military Benefit program that provides eligible military guests with free onboard credit on most sailings. This guide explains how the program works and walks you step by step through claiming the benefit so you do not leave money on the table.
Understanding the Princess Military Cruise Benefit
Princess Cruises offers a Military Benefit program that awards qualified military guests a free onboard spending credit on most cruises. The benefit is designed as a thank you for service rather than a traditional fare discount, so you will not see the base cruise price change. Instead, a set amount of onboard credit is added to your stateroom account and can be used during your voyage for extras such as specialty dining, spa treatments, shore excursions or purchases in onboard shops.
The amount of onboard credit is tied to the length of your sailing. For typical itineraries six days or shorter, eligible military guests usually receive a modest credit. Voyages of seven to thirteen days receive a higher amount, and sailings of fourteen days or longer receive the maximum benefit currently advertised by Princess Cruises. The credit is issued in the onboard currency used on your particular ship, which may be in U.S. dollars or another currency depending on where the ship is based.
Importantly, the Military Benefit is generally available on any sailing throughout the year, subject to standard terms and conditions. In practice this means you can claim it on a Caribbean getaway, an Alaska expedition, or an extended voyage abroad, as long as your sailing and fare type are eligible. Princess regularly reminds guests that the offer is combinable with most other onboard credit promotions, which can make a noticeable difference to your onboard budget.
Because the Military Benefit is an onboard credit, not a refund, any unused amount typically expires at the end of your cruise and cannot be converted to cash. It is non transferable and, in most cases, cannot be applied to casino charges. For that reason, understanding the benefit ahead of time and planning how you will use it is an important part of preparing for your trip.
Who Qualifies for the Princess Military Benefit
The Military Benefit is open to a broad range of current and former military personnel from the United States and Canada. In general, eligibility includes active duty service members, retired military personnel and veterans with qualifying service and an honorable discharge, as well as certain disabled veterans. The program focuses specifically on members of the major U.S. service branches and their Canadian counterparts, rather than on other public service professions.
In the United States, the list of eligible branches usually includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve components. To qualify, you must provide documentary proof of your service. In many cases, Princess accepts common discharge or retirement forms as verification for former service members, while active duty guests may use a current military status verification from an official online portal. The exact forms Princess accepts are listed on the cruise line’s Military Benefit program page and may be updated periodically.
In Canada, eligibility typically extends to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and certain veterans recognized by the Canadian government. Canadian guests are usually asked to submit official identification or documentation that confirms their current or former service, such as a recognized veteran or service card. Because Canadian applications are processed differently from United States applications, Canadian guests often must use a specific form and submission method outlined by Princess Cruises.
There are a few important limits to bear in mind. The offer is generally valid only for residents of the United States and Canada and is capped at a maximum of two eligible military guests per stateroom. Travel agents sailing on special industry rates, tour conductors and guests traveling on complimentary or heavily reduced fares are usually excluded from the program. If you are unsure whether your specific status or documentation qualifies, it is wise to review the eligibility language on the Princess Cruises website or speak directly with the cruise line or your travel advisor before you apply.
Step by Step: How U.S. Guests Verify and Claim the Benefit
For guests based in the United States, the process to claim the Military Benefit has been streamlined through an online verification system linked to Princess Cruises’ loyalty and profile platform. The first step is to make sure you have a Princess profile with an assigned Captain’s Circle Number, which is the loyalty number Princess uses to track your bookings and benefits. If you have sailed with the line before, you likely already have a number associated with your email address. If you are new to Princess, you can create a profile and receive a Captain’s Circle Number through the cruise line’s registration page.
Once you have your Captain’s Circle Number, you will need to access the Military Benefit area in your online account. Princess directs U.S. guests to a secure verification form where you enter your personal details, Captain’s Circle Number and information related to your military service. In many cases, the system uses a third party service that can electronically confirm active duty or veteran status based on the data you provide, which can result in near instant approvals for many U.S. applicants.
During this step, it is important that your name and date of birth match your official military records as closely as possible. If there are discrepancies, such as a name change after service, you may be asked to upload supporting documentation. Princess advises guests to block out any sensitive numbers such as Social Security numbers on copies of documents before submitting them. The online form will walk you through either a direct electronic verification or an upload of accepted documents, depending on your situation.
After you submit the form, you should receive a confirmation that your request has been received. Many U.S. service members and veterans report that their status is verified quickly, sometimes within minutes. Others find that it takes several days for the benefit to appear. Princess notes that applications are typically processed within about a week and must be approved no later than fourteen days before your cruise departure. For that reason, it is wise to complete your verification well in advance of final payment or embarkation, rather than waiting until the last minute.
Step by Step: How Canadian Guests Apply and Submit Documents
While U.S. guests use a largely automated verification system, Canadian military personnel and veterans follow a slightly different process to claim the Princess Military Benefit. Princess directs Canadian applicants to download and complete a specific Military Benefit application form. This form requests your personal details, proof of eligibility and information about your current or future Princess bookings so that approved onboard credit can be matched to the correct profile and reservations.
In addition to the form, Canadian applicants must provide supporting documentation that confirms their military status. Acceptable proof typically includes recognized Canadian military or veteran identification cards or certificates of service. As with U.S. applicants, Princess advises that any personal identification numbers on copies be crossed out before submission to protect privacy. The cruise line emphasizes that incomplete forms or unclear documentation can delay processing, so it is worth taking the time to ensure everything is legible and up to date.
Once the form and documents are ready, Princess allows Canadian guests to submit them by email or regular mail to a dedicated address listed in the Military Benefit information. Email is usually the faster choice, although postal mail is still accepted. After submission, the documents are reviewed by the Princess team responsible for the program. Processing times can vary, but the cruise line indicates that requests are normally handled within several days, and that all applications must be received and approved at least fourteen days before the cruise departs.
Because Canadian applications depend on manual review rather than full electronic verification, it can be prudent to apply as early as practical, particularly during busy booking seasons. If you have not seen your credit appear on your booking or in your online account within a week or two, contacting Princess or your travel advisor with your application details can help ensure your request is not delayed due to missing information.
When and How the Credit Appears on Your Booking
One of the benefits of the Princess Military program is that you can verify your eligibility even before you choose a specific sailing. Once you are approved, Princess generally tags your profile as eligible so that the onboard credit can automatically attach to both current and future bookings that qualify. In practice, this means that after verification, you may see the Military Benefit listed on your booking confirmation or within the Manage Booking section of your online account without needing to submit a new request for each cruise.
If you apply for the benefit after you have already booked a Princess cruise, the process is similar. Once your military status is verified, Princess will add the applicable onboard credit to your existing reservation. The updated amount should appear on a revised booking confirmation that you or your travel agent receive by email. Some guests report that they do not receive a separate acknowledgement email, but they do see a new confirmation document indicating the credit has been applied.
Princess notes that applications should be submitted no later than fourteen days before departure to allow time for processing and for the credit to be added. However, the line also indicates that requests are often processed more quickly than that, frequently within about a week or less. If the credit has not appeared on your booking within that time frame, it is sensible to follow up with Princess customer service, referencing your application and any confirmation numbers you received during the process.
Once onboard, the Military Benefit will show as an onboard credit on your stateroom folio, alongside any other promotions or pre purchased items. You can review your folio using the Princess app, on your in cabin television or at Guest Services. Because the credit is generally non refundable and expires at the end of the cruise, reviewing your folio early in the voyage allows you to confirm it has been applied correctly and to plan how you will spend it before disembarking.
Maximizing the Value of Your Military Onboard Credit
While any free onboard credit is welcome, a bit of planning can help you use the Princess Military Benefit where it brings you the most value. Many guests choose to apply the credit to specialty dining experiences that may not have been in their original budget. Whether that means a multi course meal at one of Princess’s signature restaurants or a specialty sushi or steakhouse experience, using your credit on dining can transform a standard cruise into something more celebratory without adding to your out of pocket costs.
Others prefer to use the credit on spa and wellness services. A massage or facial can be a particularly meaningful way for veterans and active duty guests to unwind and reward themselves for years of service. Because spa appointments often fill quickly, especially on sea days, it can be wise to make reservations shortly after boarding. Knowing you have onboard credit to draw from makes the decision easier and encourages you to prioritize rest and recovery during your vacation.
Shore excursions are another popular choice for using the Military Benefit. Excursions arranged through Princess range from gentle sightseeing tours to more adventurous experiences like snorkeling, glacier walks or cultural immersion tours. Applying your credit toward these activities allows you to deepen your connection with the destinations you visit while reducing the overall cost of exploring. Since many excursions require advance booking, you can often allocate your credit as soon as it appears on your booking, helping you secure your preferred tours.
Finally, onboard shopping can provide practical or sentimental ways to use your credit. Some guests use it to purchase apparel, accessories or toiletries they forgot to pack, while others use it for keepsakes that will remind them of their time at sea. Because the Military Benefit cannot usually be spent in the casino and does not convert to cash at the end of the voyage, it makes sense to track your remaining balance during the cruise and plan a final purchase or indulgence if you still have credit available on your last full day.
Common Pitfalls, Deadlines and How to Avoid Problems
Despite the straightforward nature of the Princess Military Benefit, a few recurring issues can trip up otherwise eligible guests. The most common problem is missing the application deadline. Princess specifies that requests must be submitted and approved at least fourteen days before the cruise’s departure date. Waiting until the last week before your trip, or assuming you can handle it at the pier, is risky. Submitting your application shortly after you book your cruise, or even before you choose a sailing, is the best way to avoid disappointment.
Another frequent issue involves incomplete or mismatched documentation. If the name on your booking does not match the name on your military documents, or if your documents are difficult to read, Princess may not be able to verify your status promptly. This is particularly relevant for veterans whose legal names have changed since their time in uniform. In those cases, having additional documentation that links your former name to your current one can be useful. Always follow Princess’s guidance regarding redacting sensitive identification numbers while ensuring that key details like name, date of birth and service details remain clear.
Guests also sometimes misunderstand how many people in a stateroom can receive the Military Benefit. The program usually limits the offer to a maximum of two eligible military guests per cabin. This means that if three veterans are sharing one stateroom, only two of them can receive the onboard credit associated with the program. Similarly, non military family members traveling in the same cabin do not typically receive the credit under this particular benefit, though they can of course share in the experiences the credit funds.
If you have submitted your application and have not seen the credit appear within about a week, do not hesitate to contact Princess directly or work through your travel advisor. Call center agents can often see the status of your request and may be able to resolve simple issues quickly. Bringing copies of your military documentation when you travel is also a sensible precaution, as it provides a backup should any questions arise when you are already close to sailing.
Stacking the Military Benefit With Other Savings
One of the standout features of the Princess Military Benefit is that it is generally combinable with most other onboard credit offers. In practice, this means you may be able to receive the military onboard credit in addition to promotional credits from a sale, a travel agency offer, or loyalty benefits. This stacking effect makes the military credit disproportionately valuable because it adds to, rather than replaces, other savings you have already secured.
Some Princess guests also hold shares in the cruise line’s parent company, making them eligible for shareholder onboard credit on qualifying sailings. In recent policy updates, Princess has confirmed that, subject to standard terms and conditions, the Military Benefit and shareholder onboard credit can typically be combined. Both forms of credit are usually non refundable and tied to specific sailings, but together they can significantly offset your onboard expenses. Because policies can evolve, it is prudent to confirm combinability at the time you book or when you apply the benefits.
It is worth noting that while the Military Benefit combines well with many promotions, not every fare type is eligible. Deeply discounted or specialized promotional fares sometimes exclude certain credits. Travel agent rates, interline offers and complimentary cabins are common examples where the military credit may not apply. Reviewing the fine print on your fare or asking your travel advisor to confirm eligibility before finalizing your booking helps avoid surprises later.
Finally, remember that onboard credits are not the same as fare discounts from a cash flow standpoint. While they reduce your out of pocket spending onboard, you will still pay the full cruise fare at the time of booking. For many military families, this is still an attractive arrangement because it turns fixed vacation costs into opportunities to enjoy extras that might otherwise be cut from the budget, but it is wise to plan accordingly when setting your overall travel spending plan.
The Takeaway
The Princess Cruises Military Benefit is a valuable program that thanks eligible U.S. and Canadian service members and veterans with meaningful onboard credit. By understanding how the benefit works, who qualifies and how to apply, you can make sure that your service translates into real, tangible value on your next voyage. Whether you spend your credit on a special dinner, a restorative massage or a once in a lifetime excursion in a far flung port, the program can make your cruise feel more rewarding.
The key to making the most of the benefit is preparation. Verify your eligibility early, provide clear documentation, and confirm that the credit appears on your booking well before you sail. Once onboard, keep an eye on your folio and be intentional about how you use your credit so that none of it goes to waste. In an era when many discounts are limited or difficult to use, the Princess Military Benefit stands out as a practical, flexible way to recognize the sacrifices of military guests and to enhance the time they spend at sea.
If you are planning a Princess cruise and have served in the U.S. or Canadian military, taking a few minutes to claim this benefit is one of the simplest steps you can take to improve your vacation. With a little advance effort, your service can help pay for some of the most memorable moments of your journey.
FAQ
Q1. How much onboard credit can I receive through the Princess Military Benefit?
The exact amount depends on the length of your cruise. Shorter cruises typically receive a smaller credit, while sailings of a week or more receive higher amounts, with the maximum benefit reserved for voyages of about two weeks or longer.
Q2. Do I have to book a cruise before applying for the Military Benefit?
No, you can usually verify your military status in advance and have the benefit attached automatically to any future eligible bookings once you choose a sailing.
Q3. Which military branches are eligible for the Princess Military Benefit?
In general, active duty, retired and qualifying veterans of the major United States service branches and the Canadian Armed Forces may be eligible, provided they can supply accepted proof of service.
Q4. Can my spouse or family members receive the military onboard credit if they are not in the military?
The credit itself is typically issued only to eligible military guests, with a maximum of two per stateroom, but your spouse or family traveling with you can of course enjoy any purchases or experiences you use the credit for.
Q5. Is the Military Benefit combinable with other Princess promotions and onboard credit offers?
Princess indicates that the Military Benefit is generally combinable with most onboard credit promotions, and in many cases it can be used alongside shareholder onboard credit and other offers, subject to fare rules.
Q6. Can I use the military onboard credit in the casino or receive it as cash?
Typically, no. The Military Benefit is issued as non refundable onboard credit that cannot be converted to cash and usually cannot be used for casino play or charges.
Q7. How long before my cruise do I need to apply for the Military Benefit?
Princess advises that applications must be submitted and approved at least fourteen days prior to departure, and many travelers choose to apply much earlier to avoid any processing delays.
Q8. What should I do if my military credit does not appear on my booking?
If a week or more has passed since you applied and the credit is still missing, contact Princess or your travel advisor with your application details so they can investigate and, if necessary, correct your reservation.
Q9. Do I need to reapply for the Military Benefit for every Princess cruise I take?
Once Princess has verified your military status and tagged your profile, the benefit is generally applied automatically to eligible future bookings, although you should always check your confirmation to be sure.
Q10. Is the Princess Military Benefit available to military personnel from countries other than the United States and Canada?
At present, the core Military Benefit program is primarily directed at U.S. and Canadian military personnel and veterans, and guests from other countries may not be eligible unless Princess introduces regional variations.