AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2023

Book your spa treatments before you cruise, it's less expensive.

Entering for the cruise:

Tips for cruising - pace yourself, enjoy what is on the cruise ship,

How I use AARP Rewards to help me travel - keep the AARP app on your phone 

If going to Alaska, get a balcony. Watching glaciers, wildlife, sunsets, mini-icebergs, other ships, etc is wonderful while sitting out!

Have not been on a cruise, but have a couple of friends who share their adventures.

Can't wait to make my first trip to enjoy all the wonderful food and the wonderful scenery.

YES, I would love to set sail this summer! The best tip I can give to help you travel and enjoy your cruise is start planning early and take the time to find the right ship and right destination for you!  There are cruises for young adults and then there are cruises for the more sophisticated traveler, and there are cruises for medical professionals for continuing education, for rockers, singles, etc.  There really are a lot of choices. Depending on your budget you can plan your destination and how many days you would like to travel.  I suggest a short cruise to get your feet wet before you decide to take a month long cruise.  Another tip I have is researching this by visiting the AARP travel section and visiting the cruise lines website for online brochure and you can also request a brochure sent to your home.  Planning is the key to a successful cruise to keep you on budget and to make the best decisions for you!

I can't say that I've ever used AARP Rewards in connection with a cruise.  I usually use my other travel rewards for flights and hotels.  I do book a hotel for at least one day before and one day after the cruise, maybe more if it's a city I really like, like Barcelona.

We Love Cruising!  I realized on my first cruise that this is the ONLY vaca when I actually get a VACA w/ no cooking and cleaning!!!

A few suggestions are:

…use the AARP travel to book flights if needed and book early for the best discounts. 

...bring extra meds along just in case you get delayed!

...Sea Sickness pills or patches are a must.  Save $ and buy BEFORE you sail!!! 

...order water bottles for your cabin.  They are very handy to drop in your bag for excursions.

...purchase gift cards (AARP has them on this website) and use these for your On Board Credits

...arrive to the port area a day in advance.  You never know about flight delays or car troubles. Use AARP website to book a hotel at a discount

…bring your AARP card just in case you happen upon a business on your excursions that give you “extras” or discounts for AARP members. 

...remember to set your embarkation (loading onto the ship) time as early as possible because earlier is always better!

…pack a change of clothes and bathing suit in your carry on so you can hit to hot tub or pool prior to your suitcases getting delivered. 

...if you plan on washing clothes, bring your own soap and softener.  Theirs is expensive and sometimes not even available.  Or just pack enough so you don't have to.

...SUNSCREEN, tennis shoes and a big floppy hat for the excursions.

...Bring a bag that you can "Wheel" onto the ship and that you can take on shore.  I have one with a zipper on top and 2 wheels to pull and it was a God-send!!  I got so many compliments too!

…Research and plan 6-12 months ahead and use the AARP website for extra tips and tricks. It never hurts to be prepared for anything. 

...PLEASE bring a great attitude because some guests can be a bit crazy.  You gotta be able to laugh and go about your business.  No One likes a sour puss on a cruise!!!

We always arrive a day early to just in case there are travel problems (like snow or not enough pilots) that would delay you from making the Cruise. Another advantage of this philosophy, is that you can arrive at your ship feeling excited and rested.  Be sure to keep the necessities, like sunscreen, bathing suit, medicines, the items you might need before your bags arrive to your cabin with you. and #1 is:  Make sure your passport has NOT EXPIRED. Do this at least 6 months before your departure.

Use all of the discounts available here on the AARP website. You would be surprised the deals you can get, and the wonderful vacations you can take using them. Enjoy!

Use discounts available through AARP like for hotels before or after the cruise. We like to arrive the day before a departure. When on the cruise enjoy all the different foods and step outside of your comfort zone. Taking ziplock bags to stash away midnight snacks is a helpful thing we have learned. Bringing your own straws/cups help us out as well. And of course remember all your necessities such as medication, toiletries, sunscreen, clothing and comfortable shoes.