AARP Eye Center
- AARP Online Community
- Games
- Games Talk
- SongTheme
- Games Tips
- Leave a Game Tip
- Ask for a Game Tip
- AARP Rewards
- AARP Rewards Connect
- Earn Activities
- Redemption
- General
- AARP Rewards Tips
- Ask for a Rewards Tip
- Leave a Rewards Tip
- Caregiving
- Caregiving
- Grief & Loss
- Caregiving Tips
- Ask for a Caregiving Tip
- Leave a Caregiving Tip
- AARP Help
- Membership
- Benefits & Discounts
- General Help
- Entertainment Forums
- Rock N' Roll
- Let's Play Bingo!
- Leisure & Lifestyle
- Health Forums
- Brain Health
- Conditions & Treatments
- Healthy Living
- Medicare & Insurance
- Health Tips
- Ask for a Health Tip
- Leave a Health Tip
- Home & Family Forums
- Friends & Family
- Introduce Yourself
- Housing
- Late Life Divorce
- Our Front Porch
- Money Forums
- Budget & Savings
- Scams & Fraud
- Retirement Forum
- Retirement
- Social Security
- Technology Forums
- Computer Questions & Tips
- About Our Community
- Travel Forums
- Destinations
- Work & Jobs
- Work & Jobs
- AARP Online Community
- AARP Rewards
- AARP Rewards Connect
- Re: AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2...
AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2024
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Printer Friendly Page
![Community Manager Community Manager](/i/rank_icons/admin.gif)
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2024
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.
- Tags:
- $50 for each $500 one you purchase. What a deal!
- AARP Rewards Cruise Contest
- All the rooms on the boats are metal. So to expand the ability to store more items. Bring magnetic hooks to use in your room. It lets you hang items on the walls.
- as low as you can will save you some money
- be dark whenever you want it to be which can help with jet lag
- because why not
- Been on numerous cruises prior to joining AARP. I can't wait to book another cruise and buy the AARP cruise reward cards beforehand!
- best advice try to get room away from elevators and shows on side overlooking water
- Book an excursion
- Book shore excursion as early as you can because they sell out quickly.
- but I use AARP discounts and rewards all the time! I am looking forward to going on my first cruise with a friend of mine who loves using AARP discounts! Thanks to everyone who posted great tips to make my first cruise successful!!
- Buy the drink package... it's definitely worth the price... and plan your days completely before you board... the days go by very quickly
- buy the stock. You receive on board credit . If you book with the cruise lines planner and the cruise goes down
- Check AARP for any discounts prior to booking. The walls are magnetic
- did 2 cruises
- disconnect and enjoy your cruise.
- don't overpack you can do laundry or pay to have it done leave room for collectables & gifts
- Don’t pack too much
- has minimal effects of wave movement and is quieter. Book excursions early.
- I have never been on a cruise
- I only booked my cruise cruise line website.
- I only booked my cruise cruise line’s website.
- If you cruise often and have a cruise loyalty
- if you link your AARP membership
- like on board credit
- Look into eSIMs for your smartphone so you can avoid the exorbitant satellite internet charges on cruise ships. This works if your ships is sailing within sight of land (ie. Mexican Riviera or coast of Japan). Better yet
- Magnetic white erase boards is good way to communicate whereabouts and plans with family members
- midship
- Midship Cabin
- most will give you the price change. Most cruise lines offer a military discount. After 55+ cruises I have learned
- My husband and I will be going on a Princess British Isles Cruise for our 40th. I'm looking forward to enjoying beautiful new sites with my partner of 40 years. Spending our kids' inheritance!
- not dock. also go eraly for dinner and usually can sit anywhere
- One I use when going on a cruise is to always bring seasick pills
- one to Alaska and other in Hawaii
- Plan your travel to board as early as possible. This allows for time to get familiar with the ship without having to deal with crowds. Getting an interior cabin
- Purchase cruise gift cards through AARP at a discount to save money on your cruise.
- Shop for your next cruise while onboard. Most cruise provide all current promotions plus an additional onboard credit kicker.
- so bring magnetic hooks. Bring a shoe organzier to place on the hooks. Bring door decorations
- so can use AARP cruise cards to pay for trip and extras--all excursions should be booked ahead to get good times. also sometimes just off ship can find good tours around the town for the day. ENJOY!!
- so much fun. Don't be afraid to go it alone. Meeting new people and seeing new things is all part of the adventure. Just do it! Bon Voyage!
- The AARP cruise gift cards save you money
- you should check AARP rewards before booking to see if there is a benefit
- you won’t need it !
- you're on a cruise. Just buy the drink package. Unpack your entire suitcase and place empty suitcase under the bed for more room.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Compare the extras on an offer to the price the cruise line charges per item you would actually use. Sometimes the offer is a good value Sometimes you would be over paying.
If you don't drink alcohol remember that specialty coffees, bottled water and cans of soft drinks count on drinks packages.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
AARP offers many options to save on cruise excursions. When booking your cruise you should ask if there are extra perks for AARP Rewards members because there are often onboard credits available for AARP members when making a new booking. I was able to book excursions on my last cruise with onboard credits that I received during booking and credit that I purchased with discounted gift cards from the AARP Rewards site! They provided great savings!
You can purchase discounted gift cards for several cruise lines from the AARP Rewards web site at a very nice discount! These gift cards can usually be used to purchase the cruise directly from the cruise line and you can purchase excursions directly from the cruise line's web site after you book the cruise. You can also apply the discounted gift cards as a credit to your onboard account and use the credit to pay for excursions and other charges (such as drinks, shopping, spa, and tips) during your cruise.
The AARP Rewards site also offers many different options for discounted gift cards that can be used before, during and after your cruise for airlines, hotels, car rentals, restaurants and purchasing equipment and clothing you want for the cruise and excursions. It is also possible that you could win a gift card to help with these expenses in the sweepstakes available on the rewards site!
I would advise you to check out the reviews before you purchase excursions and book early because the popular ones may sell out. I would also advise you to check with the cruise line and make sure you understand if there are any restrictions on the gift cards before you purchase them.
Relax and enjoy your cruise!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Book Excursions While Still at Home!
On my last cruise, which was also my first, I saw some excursions I liked, but thought I'd wait till I got on the ship to book. When my friend and I went to book one, it was already fully booked. We will know better next time!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
To maximize AARP Rewards for excursions, prioritize experiences offering the best point value. Plan ahead and be flexible with travel dates for better deals. Explore unique member-exclusive experiences and check for additional discounts. Bundle activities for savings and stay active in earning points. Utilize travel tools to track rewards and compare prices. These tips can stretch your dollar so that you get the most bang for your buck!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
I have been on 20 cruises from large ships to yachts. The best tip I can give you is to pre-plan. Check out ahead of time the Islands or Cities if on a River Cruise and see what it offers. This way if you know you want to go to a certain place and you see it is being offered as an excursion book it as soon as possible so you have a spot. Also if your beach people or just want to go where the locals go, ask the staff your room person, activity director. They will let you know where they go and you get a true feeling of the area.
There are so many other tips but for now, enjoy this one
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Take a Winter Coat!
I went on my first cruise in the Caribbean in January of 2023, as my granddaughter was one of the dancers on the boat. My family laughed at me when I took my winter coat, a water-resistant puffer. I looked funny in my straw hat and winter coat at the Cincinnati airport, but I was warm. The coat also helped on rainy days and cool nights on the ship decks. When we landed in Miami, the air-conditioning was so cold, I put on my coat again; and when we landed in Cincinnati, I was ready for the winter weather!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
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.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
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.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
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
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
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
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
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.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
(1) If you're new to cruising and a tour of the ship is offered, take it. The ships are so big anymore, that it's difficult to remember what is where, and on what deck. By taking the tour, you get tips about the easiest way to get around; where areas like internet help, customer service, library, computer rooms, etc. are. Some of these are in little rooms that are really hard to find.
(2) Most cruise lines try to have everyone on board by 3-4 pm, with dinner starting at 5 pm. So, my advice is to avoid the main dining room(s) that first evening. It will be packed and wait time could be up to 3 hours long. On top of that, passengers are "hangry," and can get rude, especially if they've been taking advantage of their drink package. Go to one of the smaller restaurants that are also free, or the cafeteria.
(3) Go to as many shows as you can. They're free, and they're wonderful!
(4) Plan on s-l-o-w elevators.
(5) Relax, have fun, enjoy the adventure!
I've used my AARP rewards points to get Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart gift cards to purchase
items we need for the flight and cruise: 3.4-ounce bottles of styling products, band aids, little
sewing kits, snacks,etc.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
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.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
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!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
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.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
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.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
"I downloaded AARP Perks to assist in staying connected and never missing out on a discount!" -LeeshaD341679