After slashing the low cost on Carnival present playing cards twice in simply over a month, AARP has now introduced that the cruise line has determined to discontinue the providing via them.
AARP, which is a non-profit that caters to and advocates for individuals over 50 years outdated, beforehand supplied a ten% low cost on Carnival Cruise Line present playing cards – which dropped to eight% in November of 2024.
In late December, that low cost was once more decreased from 8% to five% off. Whereas cruisers had been irritated by the change, they nonetheless saved a minimum of somewhat bit of cash by utilizing the discounted present playing cards to pay for his or her crusing or e-book onboard experiences and packages.
However as of January 1, 2025, the Carnival present playing cards will not be accessible for buy in any capability via AARP.
“Carnival Cruise Strains has determined to discontinue providing their present playing cards via the AARP Rewards Program. We perceive that this can be disappointing information, and we apologize for any inconvenience this will trigger. We stay dedicated to offering you with worthwhile rewards and admire your understanding,” reads the AARP web site.
Understandably, members of the cruise neighborhood had been furious on the choice – expressing anger at each Carnival and AARP.
“Listening to from somebody on the within, this was a cash seize for the Carnival beards and their choice to finish it with AARP. Pure greed as proven by them recently on all fronts,” one other particular person shared.
However whereas AARP (and lots of cruisers) have positioned the blame on Carnival, it’s unclear how a lot of a task the Miami-based cruise line really performed in making the choice.
When the reductions first started reducing, Carnival Model Ambassador John Heald mentioned that AARP functioned independently from Carnival.
“I’ve acquired a considerable amount of bollockings this morning a couple of change to the share of one thing to do with the present playing cards. This has nothing to do with the cruise line, that is all determined as all present playing cards are by the folks that distribute them,” he wrote on his Fb web page on the time.
We reached out to Carnival for an announcement, and solely acquired a quick response: “Efficient Jan. 1, Carnival present playing cards are not accessible for buy via AARP.”
They didn’t present any further perception into why the AARP present playing cards had been discontinued.
The way to Get Discounted Carnival Cruises
Sadly, it’s the best way of the world for reductions to come back and go. Though the AARP low cost on Carnival present playing cards has been round for some time, it was by no means meant to final eternally.
Even whereas accessible, AARP clearly displayed the caveat that the present playing cards had been a “restricted time provide, whereas provides final.” It’s unknown if the present playing cards will ever be introduced again sooner or later.
That mentioned, AARP is continuous to supply discounted present playing cards for different cruise traces and discounted cruise packages on Carnival-owned cruise traces, similar to Princess Cruises and Holland America Line.
Moreover, that doesn’t imply different reductions aren’t accessible – with most cruise traces providing promotions for various instances of 12 months and the main holidays.
As of the time of writing, for instance, Carnival is providing 40% off cruise charges and diminished deposits on choose cruises, together with sailings certain for Celebration Key – which is the cruise line’s new non-public island vacation spot within the Bahamas that’s anticipated to open in July 2025.
We’re additionally now on the very starting of Wave Season – which is actually an prolonged Black Friday sale occasion for cruising.
Peak Wave Season usually takes place within the first quarter of the 12 months (January via March) – throughout which era the cruise traces provide offers, reductions, and further perks to reward future friends for reserving throughout what’s normally a slower time for brand spanking new bookings.
Learn Additionally: Carnival Cruise Reward Playing cards: What You Must Know
For cruisers who would favor to top off on Carnival present playing cards, they’ll nonetheless be bought immediately via the Carnival Web site (however not at a reduced charge) – and are sometimes discovered at regional and nationwide chains like Lowes, Workplace Max, Publix, Goal, and Walmart. Different low cost web sites and money again web sites may provide higher charges.
It may also be price keeping track of Costco and AAA – which have each offered reductions on present playing cards for quite a lot of issues previously (not only for journey) and provide discounted cruise packages via their journey companies.
Equally, respected journey brokers might have entry to reductions and offers that most of the people wouldn’t be capable of use on their very own.
