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The weather is (slowly) starting to warm up! Even though this year’s spring break plans might look a little different from years’ past, that doesn’t mean they can’t happen! Everyone needs a little break now and then, even if it’s one that’s closer to home.
Spring Break is a great time to reset, refresh, and get out to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. As a military family, you don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy spring break this year. Here, we’ve outlined some of the best military vacation discounts around and some great vacation ideas to get your creativity flowing.
Military Discounts for Spring Break
Here’s a list of some of our favorite places to save on your next vacation, including discounts on all-inclusive beach resorts, cruises, amusement parks, and more. Please keep in mind that this list is subject to change based on the current CDC recommendations for social distancing and quarantining. Always check with the company for full information before planning your trip.
Save on a Couples Retreat
If your dream Spring Break includes lounging on a white sand beach with the sea breeze in your hair, a Sandals Resort vacation could be the perfect getaway. Sandals Resorts offers 10% off on top of their special promotions for the military community members when you purchase a Sandals Luxury All-Inclusive vacation.
Get away with your special someone to the most romantic because in the Caribbean. Everything is included in your price, so you don’t have to worry about additional charges adding up.
Get Outside
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the entire world is waking up from a long winter. Spring break is a great time to get outside and enjoy everything mother nature has to offer. This year, why not head to a National Park? Current military members receive free annual passes to explore and appreciate America’s National Parks through the America the Beautiful program.
Learn Something New
Classes might be out for a while, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new and fun on your Spring Break. This Spring Break, why not enjoy some of the deep discounts on museums, theaters, and aquariums offered throughout the country.
If you’re on the east coast, check out the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Currently, the National Aquarium offers discounts for active duty service members and their families. Present a valid ID for this discount. The National Aquarium will be extending this reduced discount through the end of 2021.
The learning doesn’t stop there! Blue Star Families, a military community organization, offers plenty of virtual programming to help you stay engaged. Most of their offerings are online to accommodate current conditions, keeping you and your family safe. Check out their current Events Page for the latest information. Pack up a picnic, head to a part, and learn something new as a family.
Have Some Fun
What’s Spring Break without a little fun? There are plenty of amusement parts that offer deep military discounts this year. You probably already know about the discounts available at Disney parks, but did you know there are discounts at lots of other parks, too?
Sea World offers one complimentary ticket a year, MWR/ITT offices offer discounted Six Flags tickets. Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida offers an exclusive military vacation package that includes 3-nights of hotel accommodations, a 1-day park-to-park ticket with two days free. This great deal also includes early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and access to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk.
For more ideas on how to have the most fun and spend the least possible, check out this post from Military.com.
Spring Break Tips and Tricks
Now that you know the best places to look for military discounts this Spring Break, it’s time to start thinking about the best way to plan your trip. Here are our most trusted tips and tricks, curated from seasoned mil spouses and military veterans.
It’s fun to plan out really magnificent vacations, but sometimes they don’t make sense financially. Have a budget in mind and stick to it as you plan your Spring Break getaway. It might be tempting to want to purchase upgrades and other extras along the way, but if you create a budget first, it’s easier to stick to it.
Book your flights and hotels as soon as possible. The closer Spring Break gets, the more prices will go up.
Bring the essentials, such as sunblock, swim diapers (required at many resorts and on most cruise ships), toothpaste, and other toiletries before you go so you don’t have to pay a premium for these items at your destination.
Military families are eligible for many money-saving benefits, from college scholarships to hotel deals, so take advantage of these savings for Spring Break 2021.