AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2024

[AARPTeri]

Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or a first-time explorer, we want to hear from you!   

The contest runs from April 8 through May 5, 2024. We will choose four (4) winners to receive a $300 AARP Rewards Cruise Line Gift Card! 

To enter, reply to this post before May 5, 2024, with your top tips, tricks, and hacks for leveraging AARP Rewards to elevate your excursion experiences.

Official Rules for the contest are posted here -  https://community.aarp.org/t5/AARP-Rewards-Connect/AARP-Rewards-Online-Community-Cruise-Contest-2024...

Share your top tips, tricks, and hacks for leveraging AARP Rewards to elevate your excursion experiences.  From booking strategies to excursion recommendations, every insight counts! Share now in AARP Rewards Online forum for a chance to win!

Example Post:

I went on my first cruise after winning a sweepstakes and have enjoyed cruising ever since that was 15 years ago! I love meeting new people on cruises and excursions.

[VivienneC972375]

AARP gift cards for cruise lines can save a lot of money. Buy them in advance and use for the cruise deposit, final payment, and on the ship apply to your account to pay your expenses = gratuities/excursions/beverages/etc. 

Always purchase travel insurance, because you never know when a medical emergency might occur or circumstances cause you to cancel the cruise.

[acm05]

I go to the members section of Rewards and buy discounted gift cards to pay for my cruise. I also save my basic packing list on my computer, after 400+ days at sea I have it down to a science and can travel for a two week cruise with just a carry on and small backpack.  When a new trip comes up, I just pull p my file and maybe do a little tinkering depending on the ports, but it makes the packing fast and I don't forget anything important.

Also, take an extra week of meds.  We've all read about unexpected delays.

[DineshS409861]

We love crusing and had a few curise expierience.

Being Seniors, crusing is our best way of having vacations. 

for food, no worry to cook just feel " be marry,eat and drink"

A lot of entertainment, including casino,events they have on board.

Alka and Dinesh Shah

[DineshS409861]

We love crusing and had a few curise expierience.

Being Seniors, crusing is our best way of having vacations. 

for food, no worry to cook just feel " be marry,eat and drink"

A lot of entertainment, including casino,events they have on board.

Alka and Dinesh Shah

[BrianO423207]

Be there at the start, to leverage a time advantage!

[leonia50]

 Enjoy your cruise, relax don't be in a hurry Book early if you are able to and watch to see if the price goes down and call Carnival or your agent to get a price adjustment. This will give you a bigger savings when you use your AARP carnival gift cards. Buying the gift cards at the discounted price always makes my trip extra special.

[cruisegodess58]

Make a door decoration for your stateroom door.  Doesn't have to be fancy, just something you will remember.  Easier to find your stateroom going down those long halls.  

[JenniferT822938]

Book as early as possible so get best choice of cabins and excursions 

[tgbhu009]

 If you are prone to seasickness, try to book a room near the center of the ship and on a lower deck. There is far less up and down movement in this section of the ship. Think of a seesaw, the least amount of up and down movement is at the center. Do try to book early as these rooms tend to be the first to go.

[lovies]

My husband and I will be going on a cruise for our 40th wedding anniversary in June.  I have found that I usually overpack, and need to do better on this upcoming cruise.  I always appreciate how AARP can help me save money on my daily purchases with sweepstakes and online deals.  This way I can go on more cruises!

[Daniel3256]

Often you can earn a free play credit at the casino if you attend the learn how to play event.

It's safe to drink the tap water. It's either distilled sea water or reverse osmosis filtration is used.

Don't wait until the last minute to visit the onboard gift shops. They are only open on sea days.

Consider "What kind of person is going to like this cruise?" before you book your trip. Spring Break might attract a college crowd. A ship that advertising water slides and a gocart track might attract families. People with full time jobs might not be able to choose sailings greater than 7 days because of work obligations.

[akanu73]

I always go to the city of departure the night before. It cuts down on my frustration with the airline and their proclivity for tardiness.

[juliegabriel]

Watch youtubes about your ship to familiarize yourself before boarding.

[JuliaR679816]

Purchase the AARP gift cards to pay for cruises. 
Share internet access with others in the cabin to save, but only one person can use at a time.

Use disposable shower caps to pack shoes and keep soles covered in suitcase. 
Put a dryer sheet in your suitcase to keep clothes fresh and static free. 

[bpjjkelly]

DEFINITELY hop on Expedia for AARP to book!  We used it for our last trip, got the bundling discount and got a $50 Visa prepaid card a few weeks later!  And if you need a hotel before/after cruise you can get a discount too!  

[stacyl904668]

Use AARP gift cards to pay for the cruise, drink package, excursions and specialty dinning and souvenirs. Book an inside cabin and keep fingers crossed for a call from the upgrade fairy. Store dirty laundry in your suitcase under the bed.

[DirckC429102]

On Princess Cruise get a main standard cabin add await for state rooms to go on bidding if they do not book them all and then place your bid for one with a balcony. It saved us hundreds of dollars then paying for it up front. 

[rr8897]

The best thing I can think to do is if your a first time cruiser, jump in, take a short cruise to see if you like it. On our last Royal Caribbean cruise we booked the key club, it amazed me how much easier it was to board and disembark. There are also other features and amenities with the Key Club that made our cruise more enjoyable.

[efindl]

The best advice is when cruising CARNIVAL, use a Carnival PVP. They have all the CORRECT answers to your questions. When looking on line both you and A travel agent can not see ALL OFFERS or Rooms that may be available to you. Also they can take your money and post it to the account as you speak to them. You get a conformation before you end the conversation. It will show on your booking. Also they have current info on all the perks and requirements for your selected cruise. These are just a few of the things I have learned in 20 yrs of cruising with them.

[chrisandtee]

Buy a gift card before you go from AARP.  Then take the gift card with you on the cruise and apply it to your account.  We saved $50 ! 

[GayleS414120]

Shore Ex tip; Carnival Cruise Line has a golf excursion in Mazatlan, MX, purchase an AARP REWARDS CARD to pay for the excursion.  Rent (right handed clubs only) at the course, in your carry-on or personal item take your own balls at least 2 or 3 sleeves per person (or put balls in plastic freezer bags),sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, golf and golf glove, golf shoes if you want or play in tennis shoes. Pack a cooler bag in your checked luggage, get bottles of water on the ship (pre-purchase or onboard using your AARP REWARDS CARD or the amount left on the card for a beverage or water bottle package)and a take an extra Zip Lock freezer bag fill with ice to put in the cooler and take with you, it will fit in back of the cart.  Always have extra Quart and Gallon freezer bags in case you find things (shells etc).

sunglasses and sunscreen can also be purchased onboard a cruise ship using AARP REWARDS CARD, Guest Services will apply to your to your sail and sign account. Purchase extra AARP REWARD CARDS to take with you in case a Shore Excursion becomes available that sold out.

[monie57]

If you have never been on a cruise before , read all you can about the tips and tricks that you see. write down the ones you think you will use as there are a lot of helpful tips and you will forget some. 

[BobbiD594560]

On a Carnival cruise that has Guy's BBQ go as soon as you board. They're never busy on embarkation day cuz most people don't realize they're open

 If you wait till sea days the lines are endless. 

[Nelsonmark]

Make on m-ship specialty dining reservations as soon as you book your trip for the best times and days. Pick a day when the Main Dining Room menu isn’t your preference. Many times booking a slot on night one includes a free bottle of wine. 

[dd1409]

Check with your physician about taking seasick meds.  

[LisaMathaya]

They usually have significant discounts & specials for the Spa on port days! It's fun to do that when u don't find an excursion that u want to do!

[WendyL82015]

Study up on efficient packing (cubes, rolling vs. folding, using space inside shoes and your neck pillow wisely). Also, be realistic about what you need vs. what you want, AND what you can expect versus what you assume is included or even available (a/c, dry cleaning, etc.).  Less is more, watch the weather, and plan for success! 

[LindaW348106]

Be flexible—and you’ll never get bent out of shape.

[pr9779]

Never been on a cruise so i don’t have any tips. All the more reason that I need to win. 🤣