What Did My FREE Princess Search For the Northern Lights Mini-Suite Cruise Really Cost?

When I think of all the time and effort put forth into the Casino Status Match Jackpot, this is the cruise that I think best illustrates why it was worth it and as importantly makes a resounding argument for how these cruises are as close to free as you can get. The going rate for my cabin on this specific sailing was over $10,000.00 which I had a couple people tell me was that this was what they paid for their mini-suite!

I have had some argue that these comp cruises aren’t free but the cabin was $0 and I only had to pay the taxes and fees amount of $105 for a TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR mini suite. And since this is a cruise, not only does that take care of lodging but that also includes a fair number of meals with this sea day heavy itinerary…so I stand by calling this a free cruise.

One of the reasons why I am so transparent about my trips is to show what my true costs and savings look like so you can make truly informed decisions. And while I do agree that there are other costs associated with these comped cruises and they can quickly add up, I will continue to argue that a comped cruise is in fact: free.

So let’s dive in deeper and see what I ended up spending on my Princess Cruise Line (PCL) comp cruise (plus some additional info on PCL casino comp) and you can let me know if you agree with me calling it free!

Confused and/or wondering how I got comped cruises in the first place? Here’s the overview for how I got my Casino Status Match Jackpot and here’s how I got this specific Princess comp. I will link the trip report for the cruise (delves into how much I spent and saved for the entire trip) and my review of the ship once the posts are published.

Casino comp cruise details

• Cruise Line/Ship: Princess Cruise Lines / Caribbean
• Stateroom Type: Mini-suite!
• How was Comped Cruise Obtained: Direct match to Princess
• Cruise Itinerary: Search for the Northern Lights – 10 Nights/11 Days
• Dates: September 24, 2024 – October 8, 2024
• Included in Comped Cruise Offer:
  • Cruise fare for two comped

What the cruise would have cost if I paid cash

Cruise fare (for two/no solo supplement is charged*) for a mini-suite at the time that I booked my casino comp on this Caribbean Princess sailing. The top right photo shows the category and stateroom (which was the stateroom right next to the one I was booked in) / middle right pic is price for a solo sailing and bottom right photo is cost for two persons in the mini suite.

TOTAL: $10,200.00 (solo) or $10,304.00 (two guests in cabin)

What is the minimum my “free” cruise would have cost?

Cruise fare (for two/no solo supplement is charged*) for a Princess Mini-Suite stateroom was $0 as it was a comp cruise.

I did have to put down a deposit; for Princess, the $200 deposit is non-refundable if you cancel after 24 hours but becomes non-refundable onboard credit once you sail. I was responsible also for $105 which are the taxes and fees for this sailing. PCL does impose a crew appreciation/daily gratuities charge that was $18 based on staying in a mini-suite ($252 in total for the 14 days)

TOTAL: $357

What I actually paid for my comp cruise

I decided to opt for the Princess Plus package (which is covered in more detail in this post along with other things I wish I knew about Princess prior to sailing). My rationale for getting the package was that I was going to opt for WiFi which was $30/day and that combined with the $18/day crew appreciation meant that I would need to spend $12/day to break even for the package which I knew I would with as many sea days as this sailing had.

TOTAL: Spend $1,081.00 – including additional tips to staff {$140 room attendant tip & $80 in misc staff tips.}

Where my savings came from

• $50: AARP Discounted PCL Gift card: Unfortunately AARP has stopped offering these but I had bought one and used it on this sailing.
• $0: Amex Offer: While technically this isn’t saving $, for travel hacking purposes, this is better with getting points.
• TOTAL $50 Cash savings and additional 17,500 AMEX MR points earned

Can you upgrade your cabin on a comped cruise?

Yes, you are able to when you book your cruise with varying costs based on itinerary – I did not inquire about upgrades so unsure what costs would have been at booking.

Additionally, you may also receive offers close to your sailing date based on ship occupancy. This cruise was sold out so no emails/offers were sent to me.

Final Thoughts

In summary, I think of a comped cruise offer like booking a hotel room on points, it takes care of lodging for X # of nights and some meals but I know that there will be additional costs like other meals and activities. And in that vein, I have found the comped cruises to be very cost effective for me but especially when I had headed to expensive locations like Norway which makes the value even higher.

What do you think about saying the cruise is free? Have you done any comped cruises yourself?