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.

[Sluss1961]

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. 

[JonathanJ492501]

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

[SonjaS768264]

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!

[m168040s]

enjoy every second it goes quick

[LesaD164044]

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

[Nadja7]

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!

[Mattson]

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

[jl26988296]

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!!!

[GayleH542917]

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.

[MollyS383085]

I have my fingers crossed. So far I am really enjoying being an AARP member.

[LSGouldie]

I love the AARP discounts! I've never been on a cruise, so I would love to win this opportunity! Thanks for all the tips!

[robin24]

I always check the Members Only area for discounts on cruise cards, restaurants, shopping, etc.

[LavernnH591209]

We are looking forward to booking a entire family cruise to celebrate several milestone birthdays. I'm turning 70,daughter is turning 50, granddaughter is turning 30, sister is turning 65 & my niece is turning 21!!! we need this cruise.

We have cruised but never all togehter

[kh1320]

Always ask for AARP discounts when booking hotels or car rentals 

[ck21562751]

Buy the cruise gift cards on AARP! Just bought a few cruise gift cards and saved 10 percent on our cruise!! I had the gift cards in my email in minutes and added them to my online payment with the cruise line. Thank you AARP!

[bricof]

If you’re flying to the cruise port with a partner, consider putting half of your clothes in each other’s suitcase.  That way if one bag is lost, you’ll both at least get half of your clothes.  Hey, it does happen.

[LavernnH591209]

Makes perfect sense. Thanks for this tip

[TeresaO308411]

Don't forget to pack your sunscreen.  It's extremely expensive to purchase on the ship if you've forgotten it.

[c930047m]

After your cruise is complete please, check and recheck your luggage ID tags before leaving the baggage claim area of the ship because you cannot return after leaving. My husband picked up our luggage without checking the ID tag. He inadvertently chose the wrong black luggage and we did not realize it was the wrong luggage until after waiting for transportation. We were not able to go back and retrieve our luggage but we were able to return the other person's luggage to the staff. We returned home without our luggage and had to pay the cost of shipping our luggage to our home. It arrived a few days later.

[thud4]

That's why I NEVER travel with black luggage!  Every other person has black also!

Instead choose a very colorful luggage OR a very visible, large distinctive tag or ribbon for quick verification!! 

[Luvinlex]

My mother passed 11 years ago July 21 - I sold my house to move in and be her caregiver - In 2016 my brother passed away from Pancreatic cancer. i was also his caregiver- my companion dog of 15 years died Aug 5th last year - all my family is gone. i am unmarried and i never had children. I could certainly use some R and R for me! I’m wiped out mentally. 

[trouble578]

WOULD  LOVE TO  WIN,  IT  WILL  BE  MY  FIRST CRUISE.

[BeckyV259630]

Always arrive a day early. Buy discounted gift cards on AARP. Use AARP to look for hotels & flights. Read travel tips on AARP. Join the social media group for your specific cruise. YouTube ports of call prior to visiting. Use over the door shoe storage to keep bathroom items organized and off counter. Magnets/hooks work on doors and walls. Pack half the clothes you think you need. #contest #cruise #carnival #AARP rewards #AARP cruise contest 2023

[TammieW970992]

Winner here!!!

[LoriD128881]

Fly to your port city the day before.   We also use the stairs rather than the elevators (a bit of extra exercise) while onboard.

Thank you for the opportunity.

[roger02]

I play the instant win games on AARP Rewards to try to win gift cards. I use them for dining while in the US ports of call. This way I get to try new restaurants that are not in my area.

[ronvogel]

Always, always, always, buy gift cards at a discount on AARP to use towards the cruise itself as well as transfers and other things that some cruise lines let you use them for.  We save money on cruises by buying off season cruises, longer cruises not too long before sailing (just after final payments are due and rooms free up), bidding on upgrades instead of paying for them outright, concentrate on one cruise line where you like the perks of being "well cruises" (like free laundry.....makes longer cruises much easier).

[DebbieS890703]

Hi, I love cruising, meeting new people, the entertainment,  the amazing food and adventurous excursions! I use AARP Rewards for the cost savings of purchasing Carnival gift cards and using them to pay towards the cruise,  drink packages and excursions.  And you can get discounts on hotels when arriving a day or two before your cruise date. Book early! You will pay less when booking a year in advance and you can make monthly payments.  Also by booking early you can have many choices on the type of room you want and the location.  Mid ship has less motion. Book your excursions early, they do sell out. Do your research on excursions,  read the reviews on the Carnival site and on Trip Advisor. Be adventurous! Try new foods and drinks,  do new things, go to a variety of shows, play the games!! Relax and have fun!!

[JohnM756050]

ALWAYS book excursions thru the ship unless you are only going nearby and have plenty of extra time.  Too many times we have passed by indie excursion buses broken down on the way back to port.

[stella2626]

We love cruising! Relax, have fun and don't sweat the small stuff. You make it as fun as you want. Be kind with the staff and other passengers!