AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2023

Some of my best tips for cruising are related to staying healthy and saving money! One is to avoid alcohol consumption beyond the healthy legal limit for adults ( one for women and two for men) This tip allows you to avoid 1. costly taxes and fees associated with consuming more alcohol than what is included in an inclusive package and 2. consuming more than what is healthy which costs you in time spent feeling dehydrated, tired, or cranky during the trip. To help with this, splitting food and alcoholic beverages as well as other high calorie foods can allow you to enjoy the flavors available without paying the cost of poor health and unwanted weight gained later. There is a saying that a person gains an average of 9lbs on a one week cruise. You can break this trend by considering these tips and by staying active throughout your journey! 

I’ve cruised many times. I now will try to cruise with one cruise line since you could build loyalty points and I use a personal planner. I try to book about a year early and if the price goes down, your personal planner will usually get you the savings as on board credit. I usually fly down a day before also, for peace of mind. If you get motion sick, my recommendation is to stay on the lower decks in the middle of the ship (has been a problem for me in the past). This year, I’m getting some of the Carnival gift cards from AARP to save an extra 10%.  

i would love to go on my first cruise, no tips now but oh you just wait i will tell you everything about my cruise if i win. would also be my first time using my aarp card as well. i'm new to all of this

If you're a drinker buy the drink package in advance to save. Also, consider buying discounted Carnival Cruise gift cards through AARP and use them to save when paying for your cruise!

I have a couple of hints for people that haven't been on cruises before.  We like to see the shows onboard, and we see as many as we can.  They are every bit as good as shows that you see in the big city.  Also, if you get motion sickness at all, try to find a room nearest to the center of the ship as you can.  The front and the rear of the ship move the most with the waves, so the middle is best.  One of the most important hints:  Relax and forget about everything for a while!  These will be the memories that you will remember the rest of you life.

The way I use AARP Rewards for my cruise travel is by purchasing the discounted AARP Rewards Carnival gift cards for paying off my cruise and for my onboard account. Some of my tips for cruise travel are if you're flying to your embarkation port be sure to arrive the day before. There's too big of a chance for missing your ship when you fly in the day of. You'll also likely overpack but remember that there are onboard laundry rooms and also laundry service you can use. Pack any meds you may need and bring plenty of sunscreen, it is expensive to buy these onboard so it is nice to be prepared.

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST NOROVIRUS!!

Norovirus is exploding on ships and this worries me. I'm going on a 10 day cruise with 5 elderly ladies (we're all super excited to share this special time together), so I looked up how to not get it. Since it spreads via touch and eating (i.e. swallowing the virus), the most important rule is to WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER for a minimum of 20 seconds. Do this before eating and drinking, but also after touching high contact surfaces and even brushing your teeth!!  

Think it can't happen to you? One ship this year had 13% of staff & passengers get sick. A total of 13 ships have had 2023 outbreaks as of July. Also, it spreads really easily in small spaces, so if your roommate gets it you must be extra careful. 

While norovirus isn't killed by hand sanitizer, I'll still be using mine a lot AND bring some KN95 masks along in case my roommates do come down with the virus or any illness. Being sick on a cruise is awful — I know this and my clogged nose and ears also gave me my only case of seasickness at the same time.

PRO TIP!! Use AARP's gift cards to pay for the cruise. I saved $450 on my Princess, but beware they're only good for purchasing your cruise — not onboard. 

Links to read more:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/11/health/norovirus-outbreaks-cruise-ships-wellness/index.html

https://www.health.com/norovirus-outbreak-cruise-ships-7561243#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20most%20important%20measure%20to,care%20of%20a%20sick%20person.%E2%80%9D

A Carnival cruise is so much fun!  If you can handle your own luggage, you'll get on and off the ship so much faster, and keep your items under your control the entire time.  When you board, the door to the floor of your cabin may be closed but you can open it and drop off your luggage in your room even if your room isn't ready.  If you drink more than four alcoholic drinks a day, a drink package is a great deal.  It includes much more than booze.  It includes water, coffee drinks, milkshakes, sodas, smoothies and nonalcoholic drinks.  It's cheaper (10% less) if you buy it before boarding, and you can pick up cans of soda and sparkling water to store in your room for later.  It also includes the tips so you're not having to figure out the 18% gratuity. We cruised in May, and a small flute of champagne (or mimosa) was $14.  Of course you can use AARP discounted Carnival gift cards so that's another 10% too! 

I love cruising and there is nothing better than purchasing a Carnival Cruise Gift Card at a discount!  With AARP Rewards you can save 10% off a $100 or $500 gift card. What a great deal!  
So as to not be hurried, stressed, or take any chance, I recommend arriving to the port a day or two early. We’ve all raced to get ourselves packed and the last thing we need is a delayed flight, car trouble, or road work to throw us off and make us late for the gate!  Get there early enjoy a nice leisurely day or two to unwind and get some good sleep before setting sail. Once on board pace yourself. Check out all that is being offered and what speaks to your adventurous side. I love the musical productions so I know I don’t want to miss one of them. 😊

The last thing would be a well stocked first aid kit. You just never know when you might get hit with a terrible virus. Being sick on a cruise is bad enough but not having the proper meds will cost you money in the infirmary. Plan ahead so you can get ahead of the sickness. Most of all enjoy your trip and take lots of pictures to share 📸🛳️