How I Got My Princess Comped Cruise (New Year’s Southern Caribbean Medley Sailing)

How I was able to parlay a single Atlantic City trip into tens of thousands of dollars in free travel?

First step was to complete the casino status match jackpot – read this for all the details.

I then took it further and directly matched to cruise lines – this post covers the specifics with matching to Princess Cruise Line (PCL).

There will be other posts that will cover packages, more tips, and other ways to save with PCL.

Lastly, for information regarding the completed cruises, there will be separate review and trip report post(s) (along with itinerary/port posts)

HOW TO: Direct Match to Princess (PCL)

https://oceanplayersclub.com/princessmatch/
I created a PDF with photos of ALL of my status cards and some of my oceanview and balcony offers (since I was offered so many with URComped)
In the ‘Your Message’ section of the submission form, I also listed out the different casinos, status levels and details of the comped cruises
I submitted on September 13 and received a confirmation email with an offer on September 14, 2023

Offer Type PCLMatch 1: Complimentary Interior Cabin Offer Description: Valid on eligible sailings up to 10 days to Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean, Coastal, and Canada/ New England on 2023/2024 sailings (blackout dates may apply and subject to availability)
10 day max length and I didn’t run into issues re blackout dates, surcharges for dates nor availability but there was no way to pay for a longer sailing (MSC allows you to pay for extra days beyond the 10 day cruise offered)
$200 NON refundable deposit per person to book: will credit as non-refundable on-board credit (OBC )at time of sailing (or be charged as fee if cruise is cancelled)
Cruise fare is comped for two persons but you are responsible for port fees/taxes AND daily staff gratuities
Unlike Holland America (which is also part of Carnival) which gives you a guarantee room, the rep will help you locate and book an available stateroom
MY EXPERIENCE: I was able to book a New Years sailing Southern Caribbean Medley Sailing which was not subject to a holiday nor special sailing restriction

10 day max length was a hard rule as there was no way to pay for a longer sailing (MSC allows you to pay for extra days beyond the 10 day cruise offered)
I didn’t run into issues re blackout dates, surcharges for dates nor availability as I was able to book a New Years sailing Southern Caribbean Medley Sailing which was not subject to a holiday nor special sailing restriction
$200 NON refundable deposit credit/person was automatically added as non-refundable on-board credit (OBC) once I was on the ship

Same link to direct match: https://oceanplayersclub.com/princessmatch/
In some ways, things got better with Princess in 2024 as you were potentially able to match up to better staterooms and longer sailings!
IMPORTANT NOTE: many have reported that as of April 15, 2024: Princess has specified that they are looking for a comped hotel stay with free play or an offer from another cruise line EXCLUDING Carnival, Holland America and MSC in order to qualify for a PCL comped cruise.

Able to add Princess Plus and Princess Premier Package at any time including onboard (within the first two days of your cruise) – why would you wait to add?
- If you have travel insurance, you will need to include this in your pricing and your premium would accordingly go up
- If you cancel, you will lose % of the additions according to PCL’s cancellation schedule
Able to Upgrade stateroom at time of booking
If sailing is not full, upgrade offers may be emailed out
If sailing is full, move over offers may be emailed out (I hilariously tried to negotiate with them on this but others had taken advantage of the offer before I reached out – I am curious if I would have been successful).