TRIP REPORT: My FREE Princess Cruises Mini-Suite Comp Cruise (Caribbean Princess 14 Night Search for the Northern Lights ~$120/day!)

I continue to be amazed that the Casino Status Match Jackpot has paid off so handsomely for me (here’s my full haul)! But my proudest single parlay was for this cruise – a mini-suite aboard the Caribbean Princess for the Search for the Northern Lights Sailing that was going for over $10,000 and I did hear from many on my floor that was what they spent! And my cost was $105 for taxes and port fees!

So how did I spend less than $2,200 for the entire 19 day trip INCLUDING flights, hotels, food, activities, etc? Let’s dive in and see how!

Note: trip reports and this post focus on numbers and travel hacking. 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.

The reason why I am so passionate about travel hacking is that it is simply a way that allows you to travel for cheaper, for better and/or more often. As with everything there are levels to it so 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 have included some beautiful tips as well as give some insight into my choices that show you how to maximize trip planning.

One thing to note is that the cash price is what I would have paid at the time I booked XX. 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.

_{Please note: this post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something following a link on this page, I may get a small commission. There is no additional cost to you and helps reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active}. _{Thanks for supporting my blog (AKA feeding my ice cream addiction around the world!) Rosemary}

SPEND (Cash, Miles, Points) & SAVINGS BREAKDOWN

FLIGHTS

DEN-LHR (American Airlines)

Spend: $448.42 / Savings: $443 upgrade to Domestic first DEN-ORD/ upgrade to Premium Economy ORD-LHR

There are times that my procrastination and tendency to complicate things comes to nip me in the bud and this is one of those instances. There was a snag with my attempt to get elite status with Turkish Airlines’ loyalty program requiring me to visit one of their sales centers in person. I could not find a reasonable redemption for an award flight last minute so I had to pay cash for an economy ticket. I decided to make the most of it with a very long layover in Chicago and used the opportunity to snag a bank bonus (always hustling) while also having a chance to see a friend for lunch and deal with Turkish Airlines.

I ended up lucking out with some comp upgrades due to my AA Executive Platinum status so paying cash wasn’t quite so painful. This is shows how when I talk of travel hacking not only in terms of saving but also traveling better – even if I hadn’t been upgraded, I was able to choose bulkhead seats for more legroom and comfort. But with my status, I was also able to access airport lounges for free at all three airports (Denver, Chicago and London Heathrow) – not well known but one of my favorite perks for status or flying business/first class are the lounges on arrival for international flights. Being able to grab some food and a shower after a long flight helps set my clock to wherever I am at to counter jet lag! Plus even with status at hotels, one often can’t get into your hotel room right away so shower access is so clutch.

LODGING

Hyatt Place London Heathrow

Spend: $13.36 /(£10Housekeeping tip) / Savings: $10.28 from upgraded room type

I had booked these nights before Hyatt did their annual changes for hotel categories so I only ended up spending 5K World of Hyatt points per night when the going rate was $173.94!

Note that the hotel is close to Heathrow so ideal for staying one night pre or post cruise. If you are wanting to spend time in London, I would suggest booking a hotel in London proper as you will spend too much time getting to/from this hotel. I stayed two days here which worked for me as I have already been to London a number of times plus I knew that I would be spending the first day planning my two trips (this and the next one). And then on embarkment day, I went early to the city and stored my bags at the train station to meet up with a friend for breakfast and took a late morning train to Southampton.

PRINCESS CRUISES COMP CRUISE

• Cruise Line/Ship: Princess Cruises (PCL) / Caribbean Princess
• Stateroom Type: Mini-Suite!
• How was comped cruise obtained?: via direct match to Virgin casino
• Cruise Itinerary: Search for The Northern Lights – 14 Nights/15 Days
• Dates: September/October 2024
• Included in comped cruise offer:
  • $200 non-refundable deposit becomes on-board credit once boarded

Spend $1081- including additional tips ($140/stateroom attendants + $80/other staff) / Savings: comped cruise fare (for two/single supplement fee not charged for solo)

One of the nicest perks with comp cruises for me is that there are no single supplement fees assessed which are true/realized savings ie if I had paid for this sailing in cash, this would have been a nearly $5,000 supplement for this stateroom. Note that the $200 deposit is nonrefundable (meaning that I will lose it if I cancel) but becomes onboard credit once I board the ship.

I decided to opt for the Princess Plus package. 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 spending $12/day would be my break even point for the package which I knew I would with as many sea days as this sailing had.

FOOD

Spend: $127.28 / Savings: $175 on meals

The savings were from first class meals (DEN – ORD), lounge access (at DEN, ORD and LHR!) + the brekkie at the Hyatt Place London Heathrow was significant (I gave that a value of $25/day!). Not included was the amount that I saved over the $60/day I spent on the Princess Plus package – I like to start my days with double lattes/flat whites and normally had two – three/day. I also didn’t include my friends picking up my meals which would have significantly increased what I paid here

TRANSPORTATION

Spend: $120.31 / Savings: $69.28

Savings were from knowing and using credit card benefits + also having my train ticket refunded due to the significant delay.

Taking public transportation (the underground/buses) + walking as much as possible cut down costs in this area.

ACTIVITIES

Spend: $337.58 / Savings: $358.05

I rarely book excursions through the cruise line but did not account for the differences as savings (but they are significant in that regard) I redeemed Viator rewards to save money on activities which is accounted for here – learn and maximize loyalty programs!

One thing to note about why the spend was so low in this area was that I was going to Iceland for a month after this cruise so I didn’t book any Northern Lights chasing excursions.

MISCELLANEOUS

Spend: $32.33 / Savings: $0 Souvenirs: magnets + some toiletries

ITINERARY

Here’s the trip overview that will cover the itinerary in detail.