June 2024 AARP Celebrity Cruise Gift Card Update

[ken987]

Hi,
Have not seen a new update so I figured I would share here. I recently took my entire family on a cruise .... once in a lifetime thing....cleaned my savings but it was worth it... The final bill was $20,000 BUT ...because of AARP I saved $2000 because I bought 40 $500 gift cards from AARP. My travel agent was so proud of me for thinking to do that. All he had to do was call the gift card number for Celebrity and submit the 40 codes. Took a few days to clear and he said he was gonna share this tip with his other customers.

 

So the current GC situation for Celebrity is as of today... YES you can buy as many Gift Cards... AARP Limits 25 per person so I just bought 20 and my other half bought the other 20... Most people won't owe that much so on a regular cruise for 2 people you can easily cover the balance in Gift Cards and save the 10%.

 

Simply Google AARP Gift Cards Celebrity and the AARP site comes up along with other sites that have the celebritygiftcertificateprogram at celebrity dot com email address and phone number for questions or redemption if you are working with Celebrity directly.

 

This is ONLY for use on payments. NOT deposits or to pay once on the ship. This is for final payment before the cruise.

 

Hope this helps...

 

 

 

 

Edited June 14 by ken987
misspelling

[Tom and Ingrid]

24 minutes ago, ken987 said:

This is ONLY for use on payments. NOT deposits or to pay once on the ship. This is for final payment before the cruise.

So the gift cards ONLY work towards the cost of the cruise? Not for something like a gift to someone to use for onboard activities (spa or specialty restaurants or towards their final settlement of onboard charges)? 

[ken987]

3 minutes ago, Tom and Ingrid said:

So the gift cards ONLY work towards the cost of the cruise? Not for something like a gift to someone to use for onboard activities (spa or specialty restaurants or towards their final settlement of onboard charges)? 

Right exactly what I wrote. Nothing else. You can buy gifts from celebrity for what you mentioned.

[N.Ice]

I think it also can't be applied to the Port fees & Taxes amount.  Does anyone know if gift cards can be applied against the Flights by Celebrity balance?

[wallyj]

I was also told, the cards bought thru AARP, you must use the whole amount, no partial balance will remain on a card, so if you are not using the whole value of the card, any remaining amount will be forfeited/lost.

 

My TA also said Royal and Celebrity are asking for ‘copies’ of the gift cards, so you can not just forward the gift card numbers and pins if applicable, take screenshot of each was the easiest for me.

 

@N.Ice, After putting $250 deposit on my credit card, I was able to pay my remaining balance of $607.xx with 1 $500 card and 1 $100 card and the $6.xx on my credit card, so not sure if that answers your question regarding Govt taxes and fees.

Edited June 14 by wallyj

[39august]

So what is the cost for the gift cards? How is this saving any money?

[N.Ice]

29 minutes ago, wallyj said:

I was also told, the cards bought thru AARP, you must use the whole amount, no partial balance will remain on a card, so if you are not using the whole value of the card, any remaining amount will be forfeited/lost.

 

My TA also said Royal and Celebrity are asking for ‘copies’ of the gift cards, so you can not just forward the gift card numbers and pins if applicable, take screenshot of each was the easiest for me.

 

@N.Ice, After putting $250 deposit on my credit card, I was able to pay my remaining balance of $607.xx with 1 $500 card and 1 $100 card and the $6.xx on my credit card, so not sure if that answers your question regarding Govt taxes and fees.

Interesting.  On my last cruise in March, I was informed by Celebrity that the taxes and fees couldn't be paid with my gift cards.  Maybe that has changed?  That would be great.

[wallyj]

42 minutes ago, 39august said:

So what is the cost for the gift cards? How is this saving any money?

If you are a member of AARP, they have a portal where you can buy $100 and $500 gift cards for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity at a 10% discount.

 

A $500 value gift card will cost you only $450. $100 gift card only $90.

 

Many feel 10% is a decent savings and worth the trouble.

 

Also note, Royal and Celebrity state it can take up to 10 business days to process your gift cards, so I suggest you submit to them or your travel agent about 2 weeks before due date.

[Torfamm]

The only negative is that there are no refunds, even if your cruise is cancelled. Whether that’s a real concern is for each to decide for themselves. 

[Cruzinram]

I use cardcash.com. You get 12% discount. Be aware however. Even though they have a 45 days guarantee I tried it once and after nearly waiting 30 days to get the refund it never came through. I continued to work with them and getting one excuse after another, so in the end I just decided to keep the card. I purchased these because Celebrity told me that they could be used for onboard purchases. Turned out that was not true. So I tried to get a refund from cardcash. If you cancel all fees are refunded to your credit card. There is no way for Celebrity to refund any amounts not used back on to the card. I had to cancel once and my Travel Insurance paid. We use these for every Cruise. BTW The policy on these cards stated on AARP and Cardcash are out of date. Contact Celebrity for current policy.

Edited June 15 by Cruzinram

[NCTribeFan]

Well, that was interesting.

 

Silly me bought a $100 GC through AARP a couple of weeks ago for my upcoming Beyond sailing.

 

Here's the thing.  I did NOT read the fine print.  I had assumed (uh oh) that I could simply take the GC with me and apply it to my onboard account, like I always do with Carnival and HAL.

 

On top of that, my Beyond booking is a casino offer (free interior for 1 person; had to pay for the 2nd (at a discount)) that I paid-in-full when booked.  Apparently the Blue Chip Club won't even take a GC for payment of the fare.

 

What I asked today was whether they could refund the gratuities ($108) that I had prepaid when I booked.  Nope.  That would entail a re-fare and I couldn't pay for the grats with the CG anyway.

 

So I called the "gift certificate" number on the CG.  The wonderful woman I spoke with agreed with everything the Blue Chip person had told me except she wanted to talk to a supervisor to see if they could refund the grats and let me add them back with the CG + $8.  She came back three times to apologize that it was taking so long.  Told her I had a Zoom meeting in a few.  She said she would email me with whatever resolution she got on this totally-my-fault fiasco.

 

But since I had been so patient, she was putting $200 OBC on my booking!  So even if it turns out I can't use the GC at all, I'm $110 ahead (CG cost $90).

 

I've only sailed X once (5-night Summit April 2022 and loved it).  So far, I'm impressed with the customer service.

 

I think I've learned my lesson.  Read the Fine Print!  Don't assume all cruise lines handle Gift Cards the same way.

[Swagner36]

These are the terms for the gift cards

 

The following explains Celebrity Cruises Inc.’s policies regarding the purchase and use of this gift certificate/card. By purchasing, redeeming, or otherwise using the Certificate/Card, you hereby agree to accept and comply with these terms and conditions.

 

1. Certificate may be used only as a form of payment toward a new reservation made directly with Celebrity Cruises.
2. Certificate value may only be applied toward the cruise fare for Celebrity Cruises sailings quoted in USD and cannot be used toward payment of the required initial deposit. The initial deposit must be paid in USD (by cash or credit card) at the time of booking.
3. To redeem this Certificate/Card send email request to celebritygiftcertificateprogram@celebrity.com or call (888) 837-5676. 
4. Certificate may not be applied in partial amounts.
5. There are no blackout dates and no restrictions as to ship, itinerary or stateroom category; however, all reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking.
6. Certificate may not be applied to a reservation within a group, charter, casino program or other promotion.
7. Certificate may not be used to obtain onboard credit or to settle any shipboard charges.
8. Multiple certificates may be applied toward the cruise fare of the same reservation if there is a balance on the reservation. Full Certificate balance must be used within any given reservation. Once the reservation has been made, Celebrity Cruises normal policies regarding cancellation, changes, and deadlines for the payment of deposits and all other payments, shall apply.
9. Certificate is transferable only by gift and bears no expiration date.
10. Certificate is nonrefundable, has no cash value, and will be not replaced if lost, stolen or if the reservation is cancelled.
11. Certificate shall be void where prohibited or restricted by law and if sold for cash or other consideration.
12. Passenger Ticket Contract. All passengers must sign and agree to the terms and conditions of Celebrity Cruises’ Cruise Ticket Contract available online at celebrity.com. Those terms and conditions are hereby incorporated by reference. IMPORTANT NOTICE: THE CRUISE TICKET CONTRACT CONTAINS IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS ON THE RIGHTS OF PASSENGERS. Among other things, any disputes between passengers and Celebrity Cruises must take place in Miami/Dade County, Florida and must be filed within a certain period of time. By redeeming the certificate, the Recipient/holder agrees to be bound by all such terms and conditions.
13. Celebrity Cruises’ other policies and terms and conditions shall also apply. Among other things, Celebrity Cruises has minimum age requirements, restrictions on infant travel and other terms and conditions which shall apply.

[KKB]

 

13 hours ago, Swagner36 said:

Certificate may be used only as a form of payment toward a new reservation made directly with Celebrity Cruises.

THANK YOU for this update, @ken987

When I read the above sentence from the AARP site, I thought that I could ONLY use them as a deposit. ("payment toward new reservation" as opposed to "payment on current reservation")

I have used Princess ones this way (as well as onboard...Carnival too), so thrilled to know this.

Ticks me off all the $ I could have saved the past 2 years...

BUT we can only look forward...

[rcrabb1513]

On 6/14/2024 at 4:05 PM, wallyj said:

I was also told, the cards bought thru AARP, you must use the whole amount, no partial balance will remain on a card, so if you are not using the whole value of the card, any remaining amount will be forfeited/lost.

 

My TA also said Royal and Celebrity are asking for ‘copies’ of the gift cards, so you can not just forward the gift card numbers and pins if applicable, take screenshot of each was the easiest for me.

 

@N.Ice, After putting $250 deposit on my credit card, I was able to pay my remaining balance of $607.xx with 1 $500 card and 1 $100 card and the $6.xx on my credit card, so not sure if that answers your question regarding Govt taxes and fees.

One other note - non refundable.  If you have to cancel, any redeemed gift cards are lost.  I do not know how travel insurance helps if at all.

[Knights on the Beach]

In September of last year, I booked Equinox for January 2025 and was able to use a $500 AARP gift card for the deposit. I guess I was lucky they let me use it. I put a hold on the cruise online and then bought the gift card without reading the terms - I wrongly assumed it was just like Carnival and I could apply the cards online. When I realized it wasn't going to work like that, I called Celebrity to apply the GC. I was advised I had to pay $100 of the deposit with a credit card and then the rep applied $400 from the GC as the remaining $500 deposit and then he reduced our total cruise price by $100. I remember thinking that was a crazy way to do it and honestly it felt really shady. 😂But it clearly says on my gift card that certificates may not be redeemed online and it also says certificates may not be used towards the deposit. So yeah, I was lucky. 

 

Looking online now, it does show an option to apply a GC. However it also asks for an expiration date and CVV which GCs don't have. Has anyone successfully applied gift cards online to pay off the cruise or do you have to call or email every time?

 

[Knights on the Beach]

Another question - if Celebrity cancels the cruise that was paid for with gift cards, would they offer FCC in lieu of a refund?

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 6/14/2024 at 11:07 AM, ken987 said:

I recently took my entire family on a cruise .... once in a lifetime thing....cleaned out my savings but it was worth it... The final bill was $20,000 BUT ...because of AARP I saved $2000

Wow, I thought at first that this was a comedic post....

[Josie201]

Before I initiate a call/discussion with AARP - any Canadians have any positive experience with this?

 

We are Canadian.  We are members of AARP, pay our membership dues annually in USD with our USD credit card, book our cruises with a US TA, in USD.  According to the FAQs on the AARP website only US members are eligible for the AARP rewards program.  Now, there may be a work around, or I can call to be added, etc. but before I do call - any experience on this from my Canadian friends would be appreciated. 

[Tom and Ingrid]

9 minutes ago, Josie201 said:

According to the FAQs on the AARP website only US members are eligible for the AARP rewards program. 

Interesting twist.  I would have to think, if you are actually able to purchase the gift card, then you HAVE the gift card and discount associated with it at check-out.  And later on when redeeming, X wouldn't deny you due to CA citizenship.  

 

IOW, if you can buy it online for the discount, then it is doable.  If you can't, you might want to VPN in from a US IP, and buy it that way.

[Josie201]

An update for anyone with the same question.  I spoke to AARP.  Not possible for Canadians to purchase these (actually what is required is you must sign up for AARP rewards).  It would not accept my phone number.  The agent I chatted with said it had something to do with Canadian on-line privacy laws...  

[publicpersona]

This is not talking about AARP gift cards, but with resellers of gift cards such as one mentioned in this thread.

 

I had a bad experience with one, so be careful. I had purchased a $500 gift card at a discount. When I went to apply it, I was told I had to call in and have a specific department apply it. When I reached them, they needed to validate that I was a travel agent. I'm not. After pleading my case, they eventually took it, but they said I had unknowingly purchased a special promo card only for travel agents.

[Ellaleah]

I purchased a couple of $500. Cards.  My cruise was canceled and I was lucky enough to sell them to a friend who cruises Celebrity a lot.  I searched online and I had no way to get rid of them,  that is why I would be scared to buy them  again.

[Cruzinram]

In order to redeem any Gift Cards you must give them to your Travel Agent who will then contact the Gift Card Department at Celebrity. I have been using these for months and it is a learning curve. As a general rule, if you book with a Travel Agent Celebrity will ot discuss your booking at all. I have always been referred back to my Agent. You can contact gift cards to confirm the balance on the cards. 888.837.5676

[twins_to_alaska]

On 6/14/2024 at 5:36 PM, N.Ice said:

Interesting.  On my last cruise in March, I was informed by Celebrity that the taxes and fees couldn't be paid with my gift cards.  Maybe that has changed?  That would be great.

Maybe the taxes and fees were less than the $250 deposit in that case.

[MathLady112358]

I have now had experience in purchasing and redeeming the discounted AARP gift cards for both Celebrity and Princess. 

FWIW,  Princess's process for redeeming is FAR superior to Celebrity's. I am able to apply my own gift cards online and I immediately see the balance change. I was able to apply the gift cards for ANYTHING in my balance due as well as add them for OBC. Additionally, I could apply partial amounts and keep the remaining amount on the gift card.

As for Celebrity, I was able to redeem several $500 gift cards via the email address, but this only allows me to pay off the remaining balance for the cruise (and Celebrity airfare). I still had to pay a small remaining balance with my own credit card because you can only apply the FULL amount of the gift card and since my remaining balance was under $100, a gift card would not work. 

This is my first Celebrity cruise, and I have no intention of judging an entire cruise line on one small aspect, so I'm eager to see if the onboard experience outweighs these hurdles.