AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2023

The cruises we have taken provide a lifetime of family memories. We love to arrive at our port city early to enjoy the ambiance and relax. We're in line as soon as possible to board in order to take advantage of every minute, and to explore the whole ship before everyone is on board. While family time is a priority, we also make new friends. We recently celebrated 20 years as friends with one couple we met on our Alaska cruise. We've learned about different people and cultures. Cruising is an exciting and educational vacation.

I'm going on a Cruise and everyone has been raving about the discounted CCL gift cards, so I immediately renewed my membership and purchased some cards.  The best thing is that the discount more than paid for the annual membership.  AARP Rocks!!!

• A cruise is a great place to take advantage of all the different foods that you may not be able to try otherwise!

Traveling can be fun and it can be grueling! Long lines at the airport, the cost of travel and the planning involved to visit multiple destinations abroad can be overwhelming. One of the easiest ways to visit multiple destinations with ease is cruising. Everything you need is in one place, and that is why I love cruising.
Tip #1Book your trip 6-12 months ahead of time. Cruising has exploded post-Covid and many cruises sell out. This also gives you time to buy multiple cruise line gift cards you can use towards the cost of your cruise at a discounted rate. Check out the travel section of AARP and put “cruises” in the search bar to get cruise ideas and costs.
Tip#2 Plan your wardrobe, consider a capsule wardrobe and don’t overpack. Using AARP Rewards you can purchase retail gift cards for up to 30% off, you can spend points or even win some retail gift cards to help purchase your resort wardrobe. Keep sunscreen and your swim wear with you in your carryon. You will thank me later if your bags are delayed.
Tip#3 Have fun and try new things and meet people. Remember the episode on Mad About You when Paul’s parents cancel their cruise, but its non-refundable so Paul and Jamie pose as Paul’s parents. They play a game to see how many different people they could be, like a rodeo clown, circus performer and secret service agent but they have a hard time keeping track of their lies and are confronted by the resort activity coordinator. That sounds like fun!

When taking a cruise I find it’s best too never over pack and this will leave room for extras to return home.  

enjoy every second it goes quick

I found that if you are positive you want to go on a particular excursion, its best to book in advance before sailing since some can actually sell out before the sail date. 

On a personal preference, my husband and I enjoyed the balcony stateroom way more than an inside or oceanview room. It costs a little more but if you love fresh air, sunrises, sunsets and moonlit nights...it is totally worth it!

Buy cruise cards through AARP so you save money!  And eat lots of ice cream!  🙂

My husband and I always get an inside stateroom because we are hardly ever in it. We sleep, shower and change, rest of the time we are somewhere enjoying the ship accommodations. 

For those going to Alaska if you can swing a balcony it's so worth waking up and having a cup of coffee with a snow capped mountain right next to you. Quiet place to watch for whales, sheep and bears.