Travel companies are celebrating military veterans this Veteran’s Day with a lineup of special deals, promotions and events.
CruiseOne and Dream Vacations held a ceremony yesterday in which they recognized the 2016 winners of their fifth annual “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest. Over the past five years, CruiseOne/Dream Vacations has awarded 25 free franchises valued at more than $317,000 to deserving military veterans through this contest.
The contest was open to former members of any of the five branches of the U.S. military. Candidates participated in a three-part application process. Out of 1,300 applicants, five winners were selected: Air Force Veteran Jason Bloomquist of Maple Shade, NJ; Navy Veteran Cory Jennings of Midland, TX; Air Force Veteran James Selleh of Brentwood, TN; Air Force Veteran Jay Starks of Sandy, UT; and Air Force Veteran Chuck Wellman of Beaverton, OR.
The winners are attending a weeklong training program at CruiseOne and Dream Vacations headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, and were honored in a special ceremony.
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| L to R: Military Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Matthew Linville, Legendary Seahawks Quarterback Jim Zorn, and Military Veteran Brittney Linville in Seattle on Monday. |
In other cruise news, Princess Cruises honored military veterans Matthew and Brittney Linville prior to the kickoff of a Seattle Seahawks game Monday, awarding the couple a free seven day cruise for their service in the United States Army, including deployment to Iraq.
Princess also offers up to a $250 onboard credit for veterans and active, retired or disabled military personnel. Other cruise lines with special deals and benefits for veterans include special military rates on Disney Cruise Line, special refund and rescheduling policies from MSC Cruises and civilian companion discounts from Royal Caribbean International. Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line is offering an Early Saver rate to service members with 50 percent reduced deposits, $50 on board credit and the opportunity to book two additional cabins at the same rate through November 14.
Insight Vacations is also offering a military discount of $100 off per person or $200 off per couple on all tours. The discount is applicable to both the military passenger and companion.
In car rental news, Hertz Global, which operates the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty rental car brands in the U.S., has announced a partnership with Luke’s Wings, a a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of service members who have been wounded in battle. As part of the partnership Hertz will provide up to $5,000 in vehicle rentals during November and December.
Since 2008, Luke's Wings has provided families with the means to travel to be with their loved ones during the service member's hospitalization. The group flies family members in and out of military hospitals and also flies injured soldiers home for holidays, birthdays and other major life events. This service helps ensure that service members supported by family as they recover, Hertz said. Additionally, the organization flies families into hospice care facilities to spend time with a veteran in their final days and provides emergency flights for the families of our special operators who are injured on special missions.
Finally, in air travel news, Southwest Airlines has been recognized as a Military Friendly Employer by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse, for its eighth consecutive year.
This award seeks to recognize companies with active efforts to employ members of the military, Southwest said. The airline reaches out to military members through various recruitment efforts, including career fairs and military job boards, as well as by partnering with many organizations to help veterans integrate from the military back into the workforce.
Southwest Airlines will be showcased along with other 2017 Military Friendly Employers in the December issue of G.I. Jobs magazine, the January 2017 issue of Military Spouse Magazine, and on MilitaryFriendly.com.
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