TRIP REPORT: Another FREE MSC Cruise That Finally Gets Me Down to the ABC Islands! MSC Divina 11 Day Southern Caribbean

Updated February 4, 2026

Originally Published February 4, 2026

I continue to be amazed that the Casino Status Match Jackpot has paid off so handsomely for me (here’s my full haul)! And even crazier was that I was able to rematch to Ocean and get another casino MSC comp cruise! And in typical me fashion, I decided at a relatively late point to put together this trip – thank goodness for points and miles to be able to plan a trip three weeks before including flights and a hotel in Florida during spring break!

My trip reports focus on travel hacking which I simply define as strategies and techniques that allow one to travel for cheaper, better and more often. People wonder how I can afford to travel so much so I am peeling back the curtain to show you exactly what I did but as importantly, to show how it’s possible for YOU to do this as well. This is the post that literally gives you all of the numbers AKA shows the receipts – so you will see what I spent in cash, miles and points and all of my savings. One last note, I decided to start structuring these posts a little differently around savings: adding in a section to highlight cash value of using miles/point/comp cruises and then using additional savings to highlight other ways I was able to save ie due having status with a loyalty program or using a credit card offer. Hope this helps

As with most things in life, there are levels to travel hacking, meaning it can be simple or complex as you want it to be. This trip showcases so many things in action so please don’t be intimated as I have been doing this for a LONG time: learn and use what you can! I walk you through many of my choices and break down the savings further to help you understand why I made that choice and/or how this further maximizes things.

Note: cash price going rate for flight/cruise/etc was when I booked. Take those numbers with a grain of salt because some of the things especially the business class flights or even this cruise are not things I would be taking IF I had to pay the full cash price for them. But they are included because they give you an idea of what travel hacking looks like in action.

SPEND (Cash, Miles, Points) & SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

FLIGHTS

AA Flight DEN – MIA

ADDITIONAL SAVINGS CONTINUED: & $195 (or 11,500 AA miles) savings from one of my favorite perks with having elite status: booking the lowest priced ticket (even award ticket/paying with points) which typically are for a less desirable time to fly. Within 24 hours of my desired flight, I can get a confirmed change if there are seats and I am still eligible for upgrades without having to pay the fare difference – the amount I used was what the difference(s) were in cash & miles when I originally booked the flight, not the day of which was probably more (but I forgot to look)

AA Flight MIA – DEN

I was not sure if I would be able to make the morning flight (based on disembarkment time) so I played it safe and booked the late afternoon flight. Again I figured I would use the strategy to change flights if I could get off the ship in time. I ended up having to standby for the flight since it was sold out and it was a pretty close call to make it as I got to the gate mid-way through boarding (disembarkment started late, there was a line to get off and MIA had the longest TSA precheck line – it did move pretty quickly but still crazy – for context, the flight was departing at 8:45 AM!!). No upgrade to First (the gate agent was so apologetic but first class gets cleared before standby so I knew that wouldn’t happen!) but I was able to get home 8 hours earlier so I was happy.

HOTELS

W South Beach

Very surprising upgrade as I was sent an email for a paid upgrade for this suite for the rate of $420 + 14% tax per night (in addition to the current rate) Review upcoming for property!

MSC COMPED CRUISE

FOOD

SAVINGS $149.90: in-flight meals and beverages on AA flights due to elite status + MSC Diamond Elite status benefits: sparkling wine, macarons delivered to room + comped meal at Butcher’s Cut + comp drinks in casino as comp cruise benefits

TRANSPORTATION

SAVINGS # : $28.41 Amex card monthly benefit for Uber & AA Exec card monthly benefit for Lyft & Citi card offer for Lyft

ACTIVITIES

SAVINGS: $82: MSC Diamond benefits: thermal spa + F1 simulator ride & Viator Rewards redeemed

The great thing about these comp cruises for me is that I am able to spend my money on what I would prefer to – experiences. For example, I took this Best Walking Tour in Curaçao and also went Catamaran Morning Snorkeling in Aruba – while of course, maximizing my spend – here’s more on how to do the same with booking excursions and activities

MISCELLANEOUS

SPEND: $38 – Souvenirs: Magnets and currency/coins (for myself and niece)

ITINERARY

You can find everything that I did day by day along with Cruise Port Guides for the stops on soon to be published the trip overview!