INTERLINE CRUISE ELIGIBILITY
Interline cruise rates are special rates offered by participating cruise lines to eligible airline, aviation and travel-industry employees, retirees and certain family members.
Eligibility is not the same across every cruise line. It can depend on your employer, employment status, who is traveling and the documentation required. KTE Interliner verifies the applicable rule before you book.
Eligibility rules can change. KTE Interliner reviews cruise-line eligibility policies regularly and verifies the applicable rule before booking.
This page provides general guidance only and does not guarantee eligibility with any cruise line. Final eligibility is determined by the cruise line’s current policy and required documentation.
The groups below are the ones most often covered by interline programs. A group listed here is a starting point, not a guarantee — the cruise line's current policy decides each booking.
Employees of passenger airlines are among the most commonly covered groups.
Many participating cruise lines offer interline rates to active employees of major, regional and international passenger airlines. Eligibility can still vary by cruise line and employer, so KTE verifies the specific combination before booking.
Cargo and freight carrier employees may qualify with participating cruise lines.
Eligibility for employees of cargo carriers such as FedEx, UPS and DHL varies more by cruise line than traditional passenger-airline eligibility. KTE verifies the current rule for the employer and cruise line before quoting an interline rate.
Retirees may remain eligible when the employer or cruise line recognizes retiree status.
Retiree eligibility depends on the former employer, the cruise line’s policy and the documentation available. A retiree ID or proof of continuing travel benefits may be required.
Spouses and domestic partners may qualify under some interline programs.
Eligibility varies by cruise line. Some programs allow a spouse or domestic partner to use the rate with the eligible employee, while others may permit travel without the employee. Relationship documentation may be required.
Dependent children are often included when they meet the cruise line’s definition of a dependent.
Age limits, dependency requirements and whether the employee must travel vary by cruise line. Adult children generally require separate review.
Parents are included by some cruise lines and excluded by others.
Where parents are permitted, some cruise lines allow them to sail without the employee while others do not. KTE verifies the rule before booking.
Parents-in-law are included by some interline programs only.
Parent-in-law eligibility is less consistent than direct-family eligibility and should always be verified with the specific cruise line.
Some cruise lines recognize additional aviation and travel-industry groups.
This may include certain air traffic control personnel, aviation agencies, industry associations and related travel-industry employees. Recognition varies by cruise line, so KTE verifies each case individually.
Military discounts are generally separate from interline rates.
If a traveler qualifies for both a military offer and an interline rate, KTE can compare the available options and show which provides the better value for that sailing.
Documentation requirements vary by cruise line, but verification usually starts with proof of current or former employment and, when applicable, proof of relationship to the eligible traveler.
Family eligibility is determined by each cruise line and can differ between programs. The guidance below is general; KTE verifies the applicable rule for your sailing.
| Relationship | General guidance | Verification note |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Often eligible when the employee or retiree is eligible. | Marriage documentation may be requested by the cruise line. |
| Domestic partner | Eligible with some cruise lines; definitions of domestic partnership vary. | Proof of shared residence or partner registration may be requested. |
| Dependent children | Often eligible when they meet the cruise line’s definition of a dependent. | Age and dependency requirements vary by cruise line. |
| Adult children | Usually not automatically eligible; some programs may permit them when traveling with an eligible employee or retiree. | Confirm with the cruise line before booking. |
| Parents | Eligible with some cruise lines; rules for traveling without the employee vary. | Relationship proof may be requested. |
| Parents-in-law | Eligible on some cruise lines only. | Always verify with the specific cruise line. |
| Siblings, friends and extended family | Some cruise lines permit additional cabins to be booked alongside an eligible traveler. | The number of additional cabins, if any, varies by cruise line. |
Some cruise lines permit additional cabins for friends or extended family traveling alongside an eligible employee or retiree. The number of additional cabins, if any, varies by cruise line and can change.
Some cruise lines require the eligible employee or retiree to sail on the same voyage. Others allow certain eligible relatives to travel without them. KTE confirms this requirement for the specific cruise line.
Where permitted, eligible relatives such as spouses, domestic partners or parents may be able to sail without the employee. This is cruise-line specific and must be verified before booking.
Retiree eligibility depends on the former employer’s retiree program and the cruise line’s policy. Retiree ID or documented retirement benefits may be required.
Interline savings vary by cruise line, sailing and cabin category. KTE Interliner compares the available interline rate with the current public fare so travelers can see the actual difference before booking.
“Interline rates can be a valuable travel benefit, but the rules are not identical from one cruise line to another. My job is to verify the current policy, confirm what documentation is needed and compare the interline rate with the public fare so you can make an informed decision.”
Answers to common questions about eligibility, booking and interline cruise rates.
A plain-language guide to how interline cruise rates work.
A step-by-step guide to eligibility, verification, quoting and booking.
Browse current sailings and available interline pricing.
Eligibility guidance for United Airlines employees and retirees.
Eligibility guidance for Delta Air Lines employees and retirees.
Eligibility guidance for American Airlines employees and retirees.
Eligibility guidance for Southwest Airlines employees and retirees.
Eligibility guidance for JetBlue employees and retirees.
Eligibility guidance for Alaska Airlines employees and retirees.
Cruise-line-specific eligibility guidance for FedEx employees and retirees.
Cruise-line-specific eligibility guidance for UPS employees and retirees.