AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2023

[AARPTeri]

Want to set sail this summer? Share some of your best tips for making cruise travel easy and fun, and how AARP Rewards can help you travel, for a chance to win!

The contest runs from July 10 through Aug. 6, 2023. We will choose three (3) winners to receive a $500 Carnival Cruise Gift Card! 

To enter, reply to this post before August 6, 2023, with your tips for cruising and how you use AARP Rewards to help you travel.  

Official Rules for the contest are posted here -   AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2023

Example for a Post Entry:

When my family and I travel on cruises we always arrive at port at least one day earlier so we don’t have to rush the morning of and can explore the area. Last year we used AARP Rewards to purchase a discounted Hotels.com gift card to save on our hotel stay in Port Canaveral, Florida the day before our cruise.

[gregcoupons]

Here are tips I use.

1 if cruising I alway get the cruise protection insurance. (we might some people on our last cruise that got it and due to a medical emergency they were covered, when they had to leave the cruise early.)

2. We normally book are airlines thru the cruise and get exceptional rates, and if something go wrong with the flights they make sure to handle it so we get to the cruise on time.  Also, last cruise the airline change our flights with us arriving at the port city 6 hours later than planned, but since we noticed it early the cruise line airline group worked with the airline and at no cost get a reroute to arrive within 30 minutes of the original time at no cost.

3 make sure your passport other required document are renewed if need with a longer lead time.

4. don't over pack as on most cruises you can get laundry done on board.

5 make sure your are part of the cruise line loyality programs as they provide some extra perks

GJS   arizona

[lindawfitz]

When I go  cruising the very best tip I can offer to really have a great time and not waste time is to pack about half of the clothing you think you will need. This is especially true on a Cruise line like Carnival where casual wear is acceptable for all occasions. Two pairs of shoes and flip flops will be more than enough footwear. Solid colors are easier to coordinate and you save time choosing your attire on board. Bring fabrics that are easy to rinse out for multiple use. Spend your time enjoying the cruise and not on worrying about your appearance. Bon Voyage!

[Edkp58268712]

My tip is to take an extension cord with you. A lot of ships dont have a lot of outlets. I use AARP Rewards to help save money when I travel.

[mm89567366]

every night you have in cabin the itinerary for next day , paper or in your phone, so take some time to select want you need to do next day, that include the menu for lunch and dinner, also all the entertainment for all day in the ship, also you can have 2 bottles of wine , 750 ml, in the embarkation day in your back pack, not in the luggage, and if you buy spa day , do after dinner, always go dinner at 6pm, after dinner go to spa until a 10 pm, the spa is only for you , nobody in there, so enjoy

[KellytheBelly]

Hello. Please make sure your entry is counted for the 'AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2023,' by going here: https://community.aarp.org/t5/AARP-Rewards-Connect/AARP-Rewards-Online-Community-Cruise-Contest-2023....

Good luck! 🙂

[RaymondO118172]

My wife and I have always wanted to go on a cruise!  I would use several of the discount cards in your collection including the cruise line cards, the motel cards and depending on what stores are onboard use their discount cards.  The items listed in the other posts, getting to city early, keeping your necessaries in your carry on and others I do any time we travel. Thanks for the opportunity to go on a cruise.

[StacyV859947]

Hi I have not been on a cruise since the early 90's!  But, I'm ready to go again after reading all the great tips! Thanks fellow members!  Stacy

[JavierC169635]

My husband and I have never been on a cruise butt we’ve alway talked about. Maybe soon😊

[kr9635]

On Carnival there is something you can pay for ahead of time so you can skip the lines when boarding - it's called "Faster to the Fun" and it's worth every penny. I have been on 2 cruises. The first one was regular, wait in line for what seemed like forever to board. The second one was FTTF - so much better. No waiting. You still can't get into your room until it's ready but you are on the ship and can go eat or just check out the ship. Anything beats standing in line for hours.

[JanG190127]

I have been on three or four cruises. My absolute favorite was a two week land/sea. FABULOUS. We get to the general port area a day sooner and get a room and use our aarp dining rewards to eat nearby the motel. We always keep a larger luggage packed for the ship, that will go on ahead of us on the ship and we keep a smaller one in hand at all times. It is for all medication, complete swimwear needs, and a change of clothes, extra undies, and all your toiletries. You may get on the ship early, with no room entry yet but can go to the pool. Plan out your desired excursions at home, ahead of time. You can try fun, thrilling excursions you have no other opportunity to try, or just relax on land or water on days that the ship docks. Some excursions are pricey. This is also the time to try new foods, especially at dress up night dinners when the menu is different from what is offered on the ship. Pay attention to the daily activity schedule and play their games where prizes are given out...Nice prizes, even free excurions for a day they dock. Plan ahead to consider everything possible from beginning to end of the trip to get in all thats important to you and to watch where your money is going and how your budget is holding up. These cruises are a great way to see long lost relatives and old school pals to just relax and visit and catch up without worrying about where you will eat tonight or how much walking you have to do. We often see sisters that live in opposite sides of the U.S. that come for a week of catching up and sharing a room, It's fun to just reminisce and relax.

[lynn3209]

Arrive at least one or two days before flight.    If u book your flights through the cruise line ask them to fly you out earlier.   No extra charge.  

if you book hotel on your own ask for your AARP  discount.

look at the excursions through the cruise line see what the offer and prices.    Check excursion separate of cruise line and ask for a AARP discount.  This might be cheaper.  Book your excursion at least 6 month or more in advanced.

enjoy your cruise

[kh1320]

Always ask for AARP discounts when booking hotel rooms or car rentals:)

[DianaD694791]

My best tip is to plan to arrive at the embarkation port at least one, preferably two days, prior to your sail date. That way if there are flight delays or your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do, there is time to sort everything out without as much stress.

The other tip is to read online about your ship and ports of call so you are familiar with what to expect. Also watch YouTube videos about the ship so you have an idea of where things are onboard - like that semi-hidden hot tub or that special martini bar.

Finally if you’re going to explore a port without going on a cruise line excursion, triple check the official ship time and when to get back on board. I wear an old style watch on cruises that I keep at to ship time, and don’t use my phone or clocks in port to check the time. I never want to miss the boat!

[DaurNDeiCyp]

I've been on a couple cruises, one with several girlfriends and my mom and the other with the spouse. My recommendations are:

* Research where you want to go and the best time of year to visit.

*Research the cruise lines and ship amenities, some are geared towards families and others to couples. 

* Download the cruise line app, you'll likely use it lots when on board. 

*Pack relatively light and always have a carry on to enjoy the pool since it will take a minute to get your larger luggage. 

*Through the website or app, check out excursions and any specialty dining. You'll want to reserve as early as possible. Be mindful some lines only allow reservations once boarded. 

*Purchase luggage tag protectors, that minimizes lost luggage. Unfortunately they are not the same for all lines but they are relatively low price on Amazon and can purchase in different quantities. Great if you are a couple or large family. 

Use AARP travel not only to see what your savings can be for the cruise, flights, and hotels but also what discounts for restaurants are available in the area you will be departing from....you'll want to get there at least a day prior to reduce stress as much as possible. 

Use AARP Travel to compare prices for the cruise

[j756580w]

Definitely get to the port town early. These days with all the airline delays and cancellations, you’ll be much more relaxed arriving the day before. Plus you get to see the town. Pack light. Carry any meds and necessities in carry-on luggage incase they can’t locate your luggage or it’s delayed. I like travel insurance for the unexpected. And always use aarp for discounts at hotels, restaurants, stores, everywhere. Haven’t been on any vacations for many, many years so this would be a great win. Good Luck!

[cherih230180]

Have never been on a cruise so I have no tips. For other travel I use my AARP card for hotel and dining discounts.

[dh23324611]

Try new food that you wouldn’t normally try. 

[ElizabethL891787]

I would love to win this contest, so that I can go on my very first cruise!!!

[DennieF551489]

Our tip for cruising is always carry on all of your meds, at least one change of clothes, and anything you need in case your bags are delayed getting to your cabin. AARP rewards discount gift cards are a great way to lower the price of your cruise. Most of all, enjoy your cruise! 💖

[KimberlyB574436]

My best advice is travel with your family and your very best friends on the cruises whenever possible.  It truly makes the most memorable moments ever!!  And it's ok if everyone wants to eat at different times or do separate excursions, that just gives you more to talk about at the pool, or whenever you get together. 

My other advice is to be super kind to all of the stewards, hosts, cooks, bartenders, sanitation service workers, etc.  They work extremely hard day and evening to make our vacation the dream of our lives, and w/o their commitment and dedication we could not enjoy ourselves as easily on each day of our vacation. 

Well if I  became the winner of the AARP Rewards, I could enjoy a dinner at one of the specialty restaurants with my dear husband.  I would love to surprise him with this, he's so deserving of much more, but would be on top of the world.

Lastly, I'd like to say thank-you to AARP for allowing me to see how fun it truly is to be a part of the senior community.   Since joining AARP I've been informed, saved money and now I'm just having lots of fun.  Who knew that being a part of your wonderful program would bring me so many benefits, including money saving benefits win I cruise. 

Whomever wins this contest,  congratulations to you!  In my opinion, we're all winners being a part of the AARP program.  Thank you for taking care of the senior citizens!

[JenniferK779610]

I'm brand new to AARP but have cruised many times. My tip would be to take the stairs if possible. It usually is much faster than waiting for the elevator and you'll work off some of that delicious food you've been eating while on vacation.  

Also,  bring heavy duty magnetic hooks to hang some of your belongings on the wall (bathing suits, towels, purses, belts, etc) the walls are made of metal so the magnets will stick. 

    I look forward to using my AARP card for hotel discounts when I travel.  #aarpcruisecontest

[CameoW874059]

Always carry on items like swimsuits and cover up to enjoy some pool time before your room is ready. Everyone else will be going to buffet.

[GeraldW951079]

My wife and I have been on 6-7 cruises with all of them except one being on Carnival. We have the next one being a 25 night Transpacific from Singapore to LA in October of 2024. Our tips are-

• Do your research! Read the rules, research the rooms prior to booking (louder rooms closer to the entertainment areas/elevators/etc.), check out the ports for things to do/see, etc.
• Get to your departing port at least one day prior to sailing and check out the area. Stressing out for delayed or cancelled flights does not start out your vacation on a good note.
• Drink packages are for us not a good value as we don't drink enough to offset the fixed pricing- do the math and decide for yourself prior to boarding
• Open seating for dinner for us is preferable so you aren't always trying to get cleaned and dressed at certain times. Vacations should be on your time!
• I love the morning omelet stations before the crowds get up. Nothing like a good omelet and coffee with very few people on deck.
• Most of the time, the local color/flavor beats the tourist traps.
• Discounted gift cards (Target 5% back with debit card), etc. are easy ways to save on your cruise. 
• Use airline points, hotel points, etc. to save on travel to/from your home destination.
• Cruise workers are paid very little- don't underestimate the value of tips, kind words, common respect for their worth and contribution to your experience.
• Try to learn at least a few basic phrases of the local language to use in ports of call. The locals there will certainly appreciate the effort and that, along with smiles and common courtesies will help bridge the communication barrier. 

[GeraldW951079]

Just purchased 10% off gift cards through AARP rewards for my Carnival cruise and used a credit card to double dip on savings! 

[RC136059]

I hope to experience my 1st cruise within the next year. We appreciate the wealth of knowledge from the AARP community.

[karnofsky]

Avoid drink packages unless you have over 5 drinks a day, otherwise you’ll pay more for the package.  Walking through towns is usually better than paid excursions. That way you’ll avoid tourist traps.  If you do want a paid excursion, not booking through cruise line can save half or more.  Musical and broadway type shows usually pretty good.  Check the cruise line’s list for things not to bring, such as extension cords, knives, or irons. Bring clothes that don’t need ironing.  We pack very lightly so that we don’t have to check baggage & don’t have to worry about lost luggage.  Sometimes, you can get a better price using a travel agent. And they usually give you onboard credits not available from the cruise line.  

[petunia25]

Use hotel gift cards acquired through AARP Rewards.   Use gift cards from AARP Rewards to purchase new clothes.   Be sure to schedule some extra activities - you are on a cruise to have fun!

Be sure to bring along comfortable walking shoes.

[BobbiR584230]

My Husband and I are taking our 5 kids on their very first cruise in October!! WE love cruising and typically go for our anniversary each year in January! 

We use the gift card deals adding to our account all year to prepay for things like drink packages, gratuities and On Board Cash! Its the best way to go so you aren't worried about how much you are spending each day and can just relax!! 

Advice on Cruising:

1. Get to the Port day before so you aren't stressing about arrival times! 

2. Don't over pack! They have on board laundry service if needed! 

3. Bring Your Own Wine 1 bottle per guest over 21 and Bring Your Own Soda 1 12 pack for each quest is allowed.

4. PrePay for as much as possible!

5. RELAX!! Its a vacation!! Enjoy every minute! 

[LaurenT241687]

I'll be going on my first cruise in 2024. It's with Carnival so fingers crossed for the $500 gift card!  I worked for a travel agency who booked cruises and I learned the best way to book airfare is through the cruise line.  This ensures if the ship is delayed in its' return to port your airfare will be rebooked for you.  Also if the flight is delayed flying to the ship then arrangements will be made to fly you to the next port of call to board the ship there.  Also, always get the travel insurance.  Your health insurance in the United States may not follow you out of the country. If a cruise departs and returns to the same port then you technically don't need a passport but one is recommended incase something happens along the way where you need to fly back to the United States. 

The way I would use AARP rewards to travel is to purchase the gift cards!  Most look like they're a savings of 10% off which is a fantastic savings!  Also I would shop for my next cruise in the travel packages section.  It looked like there were some great deals in there!

[RC136059]

Looking forward to feedback. Enjoy!