AARP Online Community and Discussion Forums - Re: AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2... - Page 7

AARPTeri · ‎07-10-2023

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.

AARPTeri

KarenP546437 · ‎07-19-2023

Pack for the line you’re cruising. Dress up in the evening if you like but don’t feel like you have to. The family cruise lines are more casual than they used to be.

d48294l · ‎07-19-2023

I started using AARP to buy Carnival gift cards this year not even realizing I could do that until I saw a post on Facebook (I just started using Facebook last year). So far I have purchased six cards toward two cruises I have booked. I have been using them toward the cost of the cruise and will use them towards for my Sail and Sign account. I wish I had known about the cards for previous years when I have taken cruises including the two I took last year. I have also helped my cousin purchase them toward cruises he is taking with us. It is quite the savings. Thank you AARP for offering them.

paperbrat · ‎07-19-2023

Join a social media group for your specific cruise once booked. The group will share information on special events, lodging at the departure port, transfers, on board menus, and answer questions about your cruise.

LM961485 · ‎07-19-2023

In addition to purchasing AARP gift cards for cruises and travel remember to use coupons from Near Me based on the zip code areas you are traveling in. If you plan ahead you can use credit card quarterly rewards categories to save an extra 5% based on your method of payment such as PayPal & Google Pay. There are also discounts via credit card rewards for discounted gift cards. In addition to AARP travel there are discounts available via warehouse clubs for cruise packages. Some brokerage firms even offer travel discounts through their client websites. I won a Carnival cruise for two to the Bahamas at a company Christmas party in 1995. The travel agent advised me to leave the reservation accommodation open and we were upgraded from a very small low level cabin to a very large upper level beautiful stateroom with a balcony. It was wonderful. I'm not sure if that would be still possible but asking is free. The possibilities for getting the biggest bang for your buck are endless if you have the time to do the research. You can really build your travel savings fund and be on the go even more. Above all else ENJOY.

@AARPTeri wrote:
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.

JanineS168155 · ‎07-19-2023

I recently sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, so easy airport to port, 10 minutes. We had such a great FLL experience, the next time we cruised out of Miami, we still used the FLL airport since it is so much smaller and easier to navigate than Miami. We used the AARP hotel discount on both sides of our trip in FLL.

SteveB67904 · ‎07-19-2023

On your cruise, it's smart to take the allowed number of bottles of wine so that you can relax in your room and have a drink or two without the expense of getting something from the bar/s. Also, utilizing the gift cards offered by AARP will save you a nice amount of money when paying for the cost of the cruise and/or other on-board expenses.

ConnieH771294 · ‎07-19-2023

I have never been on a cruise and would love to go on one. Actually my sister just booked one for her and I or May. Next year it will be 10 years since I had a vacation. So a $500 gift card for carnival would be awesome! I could put it toward my share of the cruise expense. I'm going to have to put one of my beloved dogs down in the next couple months so that will give me something to smile on. Be excited to do next year. Like I said, I've never been on a cruise in my life.

r388328p · ‎07-18-2023

By gift cards from AARP and save 10% on every aspect of your cruise from booking to your ship account is something I tell everyone. Also dont overpack and fly or drive in the day before.

BjC594828 · ‎07-18-2023

I’ve never cruised on Carnival, don’t get to vacation often, due to a fixed income now in retirement, and would love the chance to visit the Mexican pyramids. I try not to overpack, bring navy, black and white slacks, to match with any color or variety of tops I might bring or buy there. I look forward to only unpacking once for the whole trip. I put a tracker in the luggage, for peace of mind, and a bright colored ribbon on my checked bag, so it’s easily recognizable to me. Cruising is the best kind of getaway!

PatriciaK642658 · ‎07-18-2023

It should be obvious....leave your room! Even if your room has windows, balcony, etc. explore the ship and meet new people! I haven't been on a cruise in many years; therefore, I cannot speak to AARP cruise discounts. 😕

MiriamG704290 · ‎07-18-2023

When it's cold (e.g., Alaska cruise), get something hot to drink, go outside to the deck, grab 1-2 blankets that they have avail. - and you'll have the deck practically to yourself. Then watch the waves and the sea life go by.

CedricA212553 · ‎07-18-2023

I love cruising and by buying the carnival gift cards through AARP I save money on every cruise.

DebraS833406 · ‎07-18-2023

I love cruising. I have one simple tip to stay healthy while cruising… bring a larger cup with a lid (not glass). It’ll save trips to refill drinks and help cut down on waiting in long lines. With warmer weather it helps to keep hydrated. Safe travels! 🥤

kagate · ‎07-18-2023

Arrive at least a day in advance so you are sure you have your luggage and do not need to worry if flights are delayed.

HilaryO574808 · ‎07-18-2023

Cruising is my favorite way to travel, my husband and I have done 30! I love only unpacking one time and waking up in a different city every day or enjoying a relaxing day at sea! I love the AARP discount on the Cruise Line Gift cards, used them to help pay for a trip and saved money at the same time! Can't wait to do it again.

UshaniL955302 · ‎07-18-2023

My husband and I try to cruise atleast once per year. We always use AARP Rewards to purchase cruise gift cards to pay for it. Thank you AARP for making them available for most of the cruise lines, so we could save 10% and get more done.

RonJ90971 · ‎07-18-2023

Always lose 10 lbs before a cruise then enjoy yourself while not counting calories or worrying about gaining weight. Think positive - send my $ card

wgilligan · ‎07-18-2023

I’ve been on over 60 cruises. My first cruise was in 1979, and because my friend and I thought it was a once in a lifetime experience, we went big, and took a 2 week cruise through the Panama Canal. Had such a blast, that we booked our next cruise as soon as we got home. There has never been a year since then that I haven’t taken a cruise, even in 2020. We took a trip out of Dubai right before the world started shutting down with COVID in March.

I’ve read many good suggestions below, which I won’t repeat (but we do love the AARP 10% discounts on Carnival, Princess and Celebrity!). One thing I didn’t see mentioned was that many cruise lines, including Carnival, let you bring one free bottle of wine or champagne per person onboard for free at the beginning of your cruise. We aren’t big drinkers, so between our brought onboard bottles and the free drinks we get at parties or past cruiser events, we are good.

For those who love ocean cruises and haven’t yet tried river cruises, I highly recommend. It’s an entirely different experience, but the ships are much smaller and intimate. Easy to meet your fellow guests. You dock every day right in the heart of whatever town you are visiting, A tour is included in each port on most cruise lines, and you have free time to do more exploring on your own. Entertainment is pretty low key, but still enjoyable.

I was just reading an article that says cruising is the perfect way to do “slow travel”. I was only 23 on my first cruise. I’m now 66, and anticipate being able to cruise for many years to come.
it’s never too late to start. Enjoy!

FredF304866 · ‎07-18-2023

We will be celebrating our 50th anniversary in December, 2023. We are hoping to go on a cruise next Spring 2024 as a present to ourselves! Need to start planning!

GloriaK1815 · ‎07-18-2023

Having spent an entire European cruise with NO luggage, pack light and just use a carry on! It is very hard for delayed luggage to catch up with you on a cruise. Most ships will have self serve laundry or service available and you can always wash things out and hang on the line over your shower or dry on the balcony (just don't let things blow away).

Cruising is the BEST! Hope all of you who have not tried will get to go soon!

MichaelB570438 · ‎07-18-2023

The best way to make cruise travel easy and fun is through preparation. The first thing we do is to research the cruise line and ship to make sure they are fits to our family. I do this through a lot of reviews and videos. This also builds excitement the closer we get to sailing. Once booked we also use AARP Travel Tips to research ports and recommendations of things to do. This includes the ports of call and the beginning and ending port as we always arrive a day before. To make sure we get the best deal, we price watch up until the final payment is due. We use AARP Travel to check prices even after the initial booking. If the price drops, the cruise line will honor and reprice the cruise. Another great way to save money is to buy cruise line gift cards using AARP Rewards. We use the gift cards to pay for the cruise to get a 10% discount on top of whatever discount is offered for AARP members.

TraceyR604598 · ‎07-18-2023

We use AARP Rewards to buy discounted gift cards to pay our cruise fare. Best advice is to book early if possible for the best fares. We like to get the drink package so we know what our drink cost will be for the week. Most include sodas, bottled waters, and specialty coffee in addition to alcoholic drinks. Search for a Facebook group or Cruise Critic roll call to meet some of your fellow sailors before the trip. Often we join others on shore excursions and can sometimes get a group discount.

Stanttfla · ‎07-18-2023

Use AARP card to get discount at hotels, and vehicle rental rates, and breakfast discounts at Denny's. Also buy GIft cards from AARP for a 10% discount off the face value of the card. Also buy 100 shares of the cruise line stock and get on board credit for future cruises. Lastly gift cards can be used for items on your sign and sail account such as drinks and excursions and even for casino betting. All you need to do is add the cards to your account even if you are already onboard.

xxyyzz · ‎07-18-2023

As an experienced cruiser for many years, here are my tips:

1. for Alaska cruises,

- look at the itinerary and make sure it includes Glacier Bay

- most expensive are summer months; cheaper in shoulder season before and after

summer months

2. For family travel with children, check what kinds of onboard children/teen activities/clubs

are on the ship.

3. Cheapest time to book - when the kids are in school. Not holidays also.

4. Try to choose a port where you can drive-in -- saves airfare and overnight pre-cruise hotels costs.

5. Sign up for cruise lines' membership program to earn loyalty points ... for the perks

6. Decide if you want a family-friendly cruise (ok for adults too) or an adults-only ship.

7. Look at the # of passengers the ship holds. Some are 5,000+

8. Some cabins hold up to 4 - good family saver as 3/4th passengers are discounted

and sometimes, kids sail free (check promotions)

All the cruise lines do a terrific job. Carnival especially for Fun!

And, of course, check your AARP Rewards for discounts/extra value.

Bon Voyage and Smooth Sailings.

o329938t · ‎07-18-2023

Looking into doing my first cruise

ecasias02 · ‎07-18-2023

I recently came back from a cruise and these are my tips. Never use your credit/debit card while you're in another country. You can take out cash in the casino. Don't overpack. There's washers and dryers onboard. Take magnetic hooks. Your cabin walls are metal and you can easily dry swimwear or hang extras on the walls. If you're like me, be prepared to eat. The food was legit and you can get pizza until 4am.

MaryS976643 · ‎07-18-2023

Would love to win this!

EileenS959141 · ‎07-18-2023

Travel while you are young! I have never been on a cruise. Would love to give it a try!

AmyM1709 · ‎07-18-2023

I am an avid cruiser with Carnival. I cruise twice a year and my best tips are to get to the port a day early so you are not rushed on the day of. Book with a hotel that has a cruise package so you can leave your car there for the length of your cruise. Often times, this is cheaper than port parking. I also recommend playing in the casino to get better offers, such as free cruises. It's not about the amount of money you spend, but the length of time you play. I also recommend purchasing Carnival gift cards through AARP to use towards the purchase of the cruise as well as all of your onboard needs and wants. You can also use the gift cards to play in the casino.