AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2024

I went on my first cruise after winning a lottery.and have enjoyed cruising ever since 

I have cruised many times and greatly enjoy it! One tidbit of advice is to plan your days to coincide with your sleep time and you will enjoy your vacation a lot more! Example: if tomorrow morning you and your husband are going on an 8AM journey to look at waterfalls, DO NOT stay up the night before until 3AM singing Karaoke in the martini bar. Save that for a night you plan to sleep in the next morning and maybe have breakfast delivered to your room to enjoy on your balcony. This ensures you won't need a "vacation from your vacation". I have not been an AARP member for my past cruises, but this time my hubby and I are taking advantage of all the AARP perks planning our 2025 cruise. So excited!!!

I use AARP carnival cards to buy cruise cash at a discount for on board purchases 

Bring clothes pins.  Your shower has a small pull across clothes line to hang your bathing suits, etc.  It’s very helpful for handwashing your clothes.  

Shop around for excursions. Independent tour companies do a great job, usually less expensive and have always brought us back on time.

if you like parties and art. Attend art shows on the ship. It fun and you’ll get free champagne 😀

bring clothes pins to keep the curtains closed at night for a better sleep (if you have a window). If no window, be sure to bring sticky notes, I used one to cover the peep hole (if not covered) at night (it shined right between us in the bed).

I’ve been cruising 2001

I use AARP discounted gift cards then use the savings to purchase excursion on the cruise.   All around you save money and have fun!  Love to cruise a new found experience to enjoy in retirement.  Cruising cheaper than flying to a location.

My wife and I love the cruise ship lifestyle!  A different kind of cruise that we enjoy is the crossing!   It’s like the movie An Affair to Remember!

When packing, roll your clothing in the case rather than folding flat. Take only comfortable shoes

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.

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!