AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2024

 For bargain shoppers look for last-minute cruise discounts, use AARP's discounts and special pricing, and leverage AARP Rewards (i.e., savings on cruise gift cards) to elevate your excursion experiences!

I've only cruised on Carnival, so I can only speak in regards to them. Use your AARP membership combined with AARP Rewards to purchase the Carnival e-gift cards for 10% off. The great thing about Carnival gift cards is that they can be used for pretty much everything. You can pay your cruise fare, order items from Carnival's online Fun Shops prior to the cruise, take them onboard to add to your Sail & Sign account, and even purchase cruise excursions (through Carnival) with them. All for 10% off. You may not think it's much, but trust me, when you use them for everything, they add up. I'm here to tell you first-hand, you can save hundreds of dollars on your Carnival cruise. The great thing about AARP's 10% off Carnival e-gift cards is that they're emailed to you almost immediately. No waiting for them to be shipped and no shipping fee. With the savings you'll get purchasing 10% off Carnival cards from AARP Rewards, you'll easily make up for the cost of an AARP membership, which, let's face it, is very affordable as it is.

Don't feel like you have to do a cruise-line (expensive) tour at each port.  Do research and see what you can do on your own or with an independent tour operator -- just be sure to be back to the ship on time, because if you're not with a ship-sponsored tour and you are late, they will leave without you.  

Bring magnetic hooks to use to hang things on the walls and (better) ceiling.  Bring a portable clothesline to hang wet bathing suits and items you washed in the sink.  

Put your empty suitcases under the bed to save room.  

If you have a balcony, enjoy it, but make sure to close the slider door to keep A/C running in your cabin.  

My husband & I have been cruising for years, mainly Caribbean. We are planning for a European cruise one day

i I agree with many posts:

1) Magnetic walls, got my hooks 2 for $1.25 at Dollar tree

2) Don’t overpack- Use mix-match clothing. Most clothing for dinner you are not in it long, wear again later in cruise.

3) If you can afford it , balcony is the way to go.

4) we mostly use Celebrity with our church group as it has less screaming children on it. Look at itinerary of next days acts and make small adjustable plans.

5) Even if no real plans, get off at every port, you may happen on something to cause you to return to try sgain.

6) Excursions can be an expensive , ask ship steward for other activities you can try locally. They will give you the ‘safe’ ones to try, and how to get there, great local cuisine restaurants to try, best shops that are selling authentic items, especially jewelry. No scams.

It’s good to have (as a woman), a small crossbody or pouch on lanyard to hold cabin room card, ID, money etc for on & off ship. Large purses are targets for pickpockets & cumbersome.

Shoes with good soles for off the ship treks. 
Make friends with your cabin steward, give them a tip if desired, they can usually get any extra items you may want (hangers, etc).

please tip all your help (usually included in price). If not, pay upfront. Then you don’t have to worry about any addl costs at end of cruise. 
Happy Sailing!

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

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

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! 

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!

Check with your physician about taking seasick meds.  

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.