Margaritaville at Sea Just Made Its Free Cruises for Military Members, Teachers, and First Responders Even More Accessible — What to Know
02.08.2024 - 14:54
/ travelandleisure.com
/ Christopher Ivy
/ Sail Free
Margaritaville at Sea is expanding its Heroes Sail Free program across its entire fleet to honor first responders, military members, teachers, and others.
The program, which the company first introduced in 2022 and continues to bring back, allows U.S. military service members (both active duty and veterans), police, firefighters, EMS personnel, nurses, and educators to sail for free on certain itineraries. But now, the company told Travel + Leisure it will offer a limited number of free sailings across its entire network and fleet, including on the new Margaritaville at Sea Islander.
“We are committed to continuing to be the best cruise line for our Heroes,” Christopher Ivy, the CEO of Margaritaville at Sea, said in a statement shared with T+L. “By expanding the program to all ships and all destinations, including the all-new Islander, we are reaffirming our commitment to the tens of thousands of Heroes who have sailed with Margaritaville at Sea by giving them even more options to sail with us more frequently.”
As part of the expanded program, Margaritaville at Sea will offer first-come, first-served cabins for the “hero” and their guests on any sailing across the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Travelers will be able to choose from 3- to 7-night cruises.
The cruise fare will be covered, but travelers must still pay taxes, fees, and port expenses.
To take advantage, travelers must be a verified member through GOVX or the ShopVCS platform and can book these cruises online.
The Margaritaville at Sea cruise line first launched in May 2022 and features nautical-themed passenger cabins. The company operates two ships: the original Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, which sails from Palm Beach to Grand Bahama, and the new Margaritaville at Sea Islander, which sails from Tampa Bay to Key West and Mexico.
Margaritaville at Sea isn’t the only cruise line to honor travelers who have a noble profession. Norwegian Cruise Line similarly celebrates educators with its annual Giving Joy campaign, which offers discounted cruises and rewards some lucky teachers with a free cruise.