AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2024

[AARPTeri]

Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or a first-time explorer, we want to hear from you!   

The contest runs from April 8 through May 5, 2024. We will choose four (4) winners to receive a $300 AARP Rewards Cruise Line Gift Card! 

To enter, reply to this post before May 5, 2024, with your top tips, tricks, and hacks for leveraging AARP Rewards to elevate your excursion experiences.

Official Rules for the contest are posted here -  https://community.aarp.org/t5/AARP-Rewards-Connect/AARP-Rewards-Online-Community-Cruise-Contest-2024...

Share your top tips, tricks, and hacks for leveraging AARP Rewards to elevate your excursion experiences.  From booking strategies to excursion recommendations, every insight counts! Share now in AARP Rewards Online forum for a chance to win!

Example Post:

I went on my first cruise after winning a sweepstakes and have enjoyed cruising ever since that was 15 years ago! I love meeting new people on cruises and excursions.

[PhillipsFamily]

Cruising with extended family and friends can get expensive, but it's worth the experience of exploring new sites with your loved ones. One way to save is to book less costly interior rooms for your teenage children, across the aisle from you. These rooms may not have exterior views out onto the ocean/river, but the kids won't mind. They're usually out-and-about with you on the ship or ports.

[d50467m]

First check AARP for rewards discounts and travel arrangements cost comparisons!  If you book through Cruiseline you still can use AARP airfare if better cost and times.  While many have already offered tips I offer two new points.  Pack two small battery operated tea lights.  They make perfect nite lights - one for the small  bathroom and the other on the nite stand to “reorient “ you when you wake up in a different place! I do this for my husband and it has prevented many falls!

the second point is not to fall for the “free” drink packages unless the benefit for you is greater tthan the cost.  The cruise line I use puts a “price value” of 3k on it that is free but they automatically pre charge you the 20% tip fee on that value. Essentially it works out that you need to have 10 drinks a day to make this free package worthwhile.  Given the excursions and time off the ship we never would drink that much in any evening.  And in the Caribbean check to see if the package covers the day spent at the cruise lines own island beach  stop- ours doesn’t!  So buying our own and tipping  per drink works for us and reduces the incentive to overdue drinking just to get your moneys worth!

[COlivet9999]

- Become a AARP member first, then book your Holland America Cruise. Be certain to give your AARP number at the time of booking. Check back with your Travel Advisor in about 10 days, and your lovely additional on board credit will magically be attached to  your reservation courtesy of AARP. My most recent credit was $200 for our upcoming 14 day cruise.

-Additionally, begin purchasing Holland America gift cards from AARP (at a 10% savings!). Use your AARP Essential Rewards credit card to score an additional 1% cash back. Note that there is a maximum number of HAL gift card purchases allowed per month from AARP  so plan way ahead of final payment due date to cover your cruise fare.  Be very careful - SAVE each of the gift card numbers and pin numbers, and keep them organized. If you have to cancel the cruise outside of the cancellation penalty,  the reimbursement will go back to the Holland America gift cards and you will need these numbers!!  If you purchase a good travel insurance and cancel for a covered reason inside the cancellation period, your refund will usually be by check from the travel insurance company. Check with your travel insurance provider.

By purchasing ten $500 gift cards, I am able to save $500 on my cruise! With the AARP $200 onboard credit and additional AARP savings, I am certain to have a Bon Voyage!

[bethd350196]

Book excursions early to get the most choices. It also helps you know if you need to bring special clothes or items with you. Pre and Post cruise excursions/days are sometimes available. They are a good way to extend the fun. AARP rewards can be used to reduce the costs for travel, clothes, and other items needed for your vacation. 

[kochees]

Pace yourself while cruising, and don't try to cram in every activity available for each day.  Leave some time to relax and "enjoy the ride!"

[KenS821972]

Bring some kind of anti-nausea see sickness medication. It’s no fun if you’re sick so just do it and don’t take a chance.

[HAMPTONETTE]

Luckily I have a close friend who cruises frequently so when AARP notified me of having won a gift card, I immediately called her.  The survey questions also have helped, (I e. cruise etiquette) so when I finally do get a chance to be in the water, I'll be set 😉

[ronvogel]

Buy gift cards using AARP Rewards.  Stay in an inside room and try to upgrade with a bid instead of paying the higher price up front.  When aboard a ship, if they have a program to put an open deposit down on another cruise, make use of it, because you will probably get some extra onboard credit once you actually book.

[AlainaD200874]

Check AARP rewards for gift cards on cruises or discounts on flight and cruise packages via the travel benefits. These benefits are a great way to save on your cruise! 

[ScottP795029]

We buy all the travel gift cards thru AARP. Not just the cruise ones to save, but also store, dining, and lodging ones for the trip there and back, and any shopping we may need to do before the trip.

[AARPConsumerCare]

@ScottP795029, thanks for sharing! So happy to hear you're taking advantage of purchasing gift cards through the AARP Rewards program. - Zainab M

[IrisP914180]

After having been on over 25 cruises, we have learned the following:

• We purchase cruise gift cards from AARP, and our local grocery store, Meijer has discounted gift card promos sometimes, too.
• Book early saver rates so you can rebook/change if the price goes down
• Carry on 1 bottle of wine per person when allowed
• Watch for price drops on excursions because many cruise lines let you cancel and re-book, and some have price-match guarantee. 

[franktlondos]

When looking for a cruise company, sometimes it is better to pay upfront for those items that can add up on the ship.  Alcohol included, all tipping, pre trip hotel(night before the cruise starts), business class flights, internet, excursions, ship board dollars.  Many cruise lines are including these items and more.  When you pay upfront there is no bill at the end to surprise you.

[rchang4t]

The night before your excursion familiarize the highlights of the next day's tour. I will enhance your experience.

[spanfren]

Learn about the ship by walking around, asking questions, talking to cruise employees.  Note where everything is located, and the hours available, like the restauants, the exercise area, the pool, etc.  Note services available, menu items and rules.  Smile and be friendly to everyone.

[AnthonyH309108]

Look into eSIMs for your smartphone so you can avoid the exorbitant satellite internet charges on cruise ships. This works if your ships is sailing within sight of land (ie. Mexican Riviera or coast of Japan). Better yet, disconnect and enjoy your cruise.

[rchang4t]

Plan the night before for the next day excursion. Read ahead for the highlights of what you will see.

[CindyT169675]

Remember that you can always store your luggage under your bed.  It's easier to unpack & explore the ship if you get on early when there's less people.  You can use the safe in the purser's office for valuables you won't need daily.  If you like to take time eating & want to eat in the main dining room (where you can have seconds of anything), choose the 2nd seating.  Always remember that the sun will burn you faster on a ship because of the reflection off the water, so wear.a good sunscreen.

[franktlondos]

When looking for a cruise company, sometimes it is better to pay upfront for those items that can add up on the ship.  Alcohol included, all tipping, pre trip hotel(night before the cruise starts), business class flights, internet, excursions, ship board dollars.   Many cruise lines are including these items and more.  When you pay up front, there is no bill at the end to surprise you.

[ban]

 I have cruised like three times and really can't say I have a tip or trick for cruising, but I am so looking forward to next year, celebrating our marriage of 50 years, retiring and taking our family with us on the cruise, which will be so exciting.  We have not all been together since 2008, so you can imagine the anticipation and especially to have our five grandchildren together as well!   Hoping a cruise will be the ticket for all of us to know each other better and enjoy each other.  By reading all others ideas and suggestions will be helpful and just make our cruising a trip of a lifetime!  The planning is in the works but with AARP articles and suggestions from all of you, looking forward with wide open eyes! 

[d50467m]

Don’t hope they will book you near each other, ask them to do so!  Also if a large family group ask them for a group discount and if large enough you may qualify for a free passenger 

[1Annmarie]

Always pack a third less than what you originally were going to pack. Cruise ships have laundry service on board which stops over packing and also less laundry to do when you get home.

[catmmaher]

About to go on my second cruise - my trip is that you should check AARP rewards before booking to see if there is a benefit, like on board credit, if you link your AARP membership. Also, look for gift cards for the cruise line and use them to pay for the cruise and additional expenses, saving 10% or so.

[KristinaY866828]

I used my AARP rewards to buy Princess Cruise gift cards at 8% off . I used my AAA Travel Visa card to buy them. I saved $200 on the cards with AARP (I bought 5 $500 cards for $2300) & my Visa card gave me cash back on the purchase. Win win!! I wish I knew about AARP rewards when we went on our 1st cruise. I'll be sure to look at what is available every time I book a cruise.

[lg7566]

 Love to cruise! It's so nice to unpack once and be ready for whatever adventure or experience awaits! Things I've learned along the way...make your dinner reservations early...sometimes you can even book a window seat for a sunset sail away. Check the excursion desk for any changes or additions...one time we were able to book a gondola ride and tour the day we arrived even though the taxis had just gone on strike in Venice. Not the best packer, but I learned to bring a lanyard for my room key/credit card which left my hands free for activities. If you like to document your travel with photos then take a picture of the daily newsletter which give you the date and port and serves as a natural divider to organize your picture and emergency contact numbers if you need help or address for ground transport. Before departing take advantage of the travel information and deals and sweeps on AARP - lots of good tips and chances for extra savings!

[KatinaP891264]

I ABSOLUTELY LOOOOOVE TO CRUISE!! My bestie since 3rd grade and I even said that when we retire, maybe apply to WORK on a cruise ship! lol But safety always. Having Sickle Cell, a joint pain crisi can occur at any time, so having a well detailed report from my doctors is a MUST whenever I travel.Listing the medications I regularly take, to how to treat my pain if needed. All of his numbers, in case they need verbal confirmation as well as the after hours line, just in case he is actually the weekend call doc on duty. It just gives me piece of mind, and allows me to enjoy myself without worrying about the "if, and wat if" when my main worry should be extra bag for souvenirs, or larger pants for more buffet time.

[babbott56]

When taking a Trans-Atlantic Cruise Always start in Europe and sal to America.  There are 6 nights of time change!  Sailing to Europe results in 4 to 5 consecutive 23 hour days, a killer.  Sailing toward the Americas, they are 25 hour days, truly relaxing,

[baspencer13]

I always bring something to hang on my door, makes it easier to find.your room!

[KellyW91378]

I bring some type of magnet to hang on the door to easily identify my room.  I also bring magnetic hooks for inside my staterooms for items such as wet bathing suits, hat, jacket or coverups.  Magnets have worked in all my staterooms.

[haroldm458771]

Another way to use your magnets is put up a map on the wall.

great way to keep track of where you have been where you will be going.