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AARPTeri
Community Manager
July 10, 2023

AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2023

  • July 10, 2023
  • 310 replies
  • 113601 views

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.

310 replies

Contributor ⭐⭐
August 1, 2023

Never pay full price, there may be the rare exception, but you can always find a deal somewhere.  Also, I can do a 7 night cruise with just a carry on and my backpack.  You really don't need everything you plan on taking.

Contributor ⭐
August 3, 2023

I am 52 and I have never been on a cruise. I have always wanted to go on one. I'm a little worried that being out to sea where you can't see any land at all might kind of freak me out and I get nauseous extremely easy so I'm not sure about it,  but if anybody has any tips or hints I would love it because I would like to try to take a cruise sometime in the near future!

OrganizedChaos75
Contributor ⭐⭐
August 7, 2023

Typically, the lower the deck you're on and the closer you are to the center of the ship (called mid-ship), the steadier it is. You have a tendency to feel more motion the higher you go and towards the front & rear (forward & aft). Keep this in mind when booking a cabin. The ships are so huge, you often don't feel much motion at all. While laying in bed, I can feel the bed rock ever so gently. It's actually quite soothing. There's a motion sickness med called Bonine. Similar to Dramamine, but sometimes one works better than the other for some people. I only took some at the very beginning of our first ever cruise, then didn't need them after that, but know people who do get a little motion sickness and Bonine helps them. You can start with a shorter cruise to see if you like them, but keep in mind, on some cruise lines, 3-4 day cruises tend to be filled with a lot of people who like to party because they can easily be done on a weekend when people want a short trip to cut loose.

Contributor ⭐⭐
August 3, 2023

Two weeks ahead of time I gather all of my paperwork and have it ready to go. Remember to use all of the deals at AARP Rewards to make your trip even better!

Contributor ⭐
August 3, 2023

When my family and I travel on cruises we wear our swimsuits the day we board while our bags are being delivered to our room. That way we can immediately hit the pools and slides. I always buy Gift Cards through the AARP rewards system saving me 10% on the cost of the entire trip. I l love cruising and mostly do it through the Long Beach port. Also make sure you have copies of all the excursions, credit cards, passports, birth certificates. Be prepared!
-MatthewA443367

Contributor ⭐⭐
August 4, 2023

Check the Members Only area for rewards every day, sweepstakes, discounted gift cards, etc. to make your trip even less costly!

Contributor ⭐
August 4, 2023

Check out the ship on embarkation day to see what is there.  Just a quick look around to figure out what/where you want to go/see during your cruise!

Contributor ⭐
August 4, 2023

Bring a bathing suit in your carry on bag. Most ships allow you to board early but the rooms are not ready until after 1pm. This is a great time to jump in the pool...most people are not prepared for this so the pools are rather empty.

KeithandDianna
Contributor ⭐
August 4, 2023

We just scheduled our first cruise ever, and already have been given a lot of tips through carnival cruiseline and through delta vacations! My only tip I can offer is to read all the information sent to you to learn all these little tidbits! Also make sure to read current reviews of any excursions you’re planning to schedule.

Contributor ⭐
August 4, 2023

i know this isn't such a big thing anymore as it used to be, but I still try to take travelers checks with me as a form of backup payment.  The plastic cards if lost/stolen or compromised aren't redeemable for any valid should they be suspended if compromised while traveling .. especially abroad.

Contributor ⭐
August 5, 2023

Pack medications and a swimsuit in your carryon and get your muster drill out of the way first thing.

Use the AARP rewards to get discounted cards for excursions, WIFI, Cheers etc.

Contributor ⭐
March 17, 2024

How do you get a discount on the cheers card with aarp?

Contributor ⭐
March 17, 2024

 To reduce cost of cheers package....purchase Carnival Gift Cards thru AARP under Rewards tab.  $100 gift card costs $90.  A savings of $10 per $100 expense.  At present Cheers is $69.95 per day per person.  All persons in cabin must purchase cheers if above the legal drinking age.  So for a 5 day cruise Cheers is $349.75 per person.  Could save over $30 by using AARP rewards to purchase gift card.  Digital cards come in email from AARP.  Go to Carnival site...select Cheers and pay with gift cards purchased thru AARP.  We also purchase gift cards to put on our sail and sign accounts when we embark.  

 Again get $100 buying power for only $90.