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.

[bluebungalowbeads]

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.

[ec37295008]

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!

[ElC161570]

Begin your voyage with gratitude then research AARP resources available for everyone. Apply Membership benefits & rewards when you’re ready to book (air, hotel, car, restaurants, events, etc…) Enjoy!

[CynthiaB35103]

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!

[VanessaH806096]

I never been on a cruise before but I am sure that you need to book it as early as you can to get the best deals. 

[jaelynsotelo]

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!

[glo3479]

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

[KenH325504]

get discounts on mcdonalds with AARP

[JustyneG198210]

AARP Rewards elevate my excursions with travel bargains and discounted gift cards.

[CynthiaB35103]

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!

[sk2899]

 I love cruising. We live 30 minutes from a port so we have it easy to board.

[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.  

[lj9807492]

  (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. 

[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.