Cruise for (Almost) Free: Princess Cruises Casino Offers
Princess Cruises Casino Offers: From Points to Ports
I’ve personally sailed Princess Cruises multiple times and have received casino offers ranging from discounted fares to free cruises. This guide is based on real experience and current Princess Players Club policies.
I never thought cruising would become my favorite way to travel. For years, I was all about points and miles—flying to bucket-list destinations with minimal out-of-pocket costs, but cruising?
👉Be sure to check out my Ultimate Beginner Guide to Points and Miles - Beginner Travel Hacking
Then everything changed in June 2023. I was grieving the loss of my dog, Macy, and feeling emotionally drained when a friend suggested a spontaneous Virgin Voyages cruise. A four-day escape sounded like exactly what I needed—and it was. That trip reignited something in me. I realized I loved cruising. The ocean, the ease, the adventure—it was all magic.
But I also knew I couldn’t afford to cruise constantly… unless I found a hack. That’s when I discovered Princess Cruises’ Casino Offers—and suddenly, cruising became not just possible, but affordable
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through a link and make a purchase, I get a small commission at no cost to you. (PS: I only recommend things I really use)
Check out Current Offers on Princess Cruises
Helpful Cruise Resources I Use:
My favorite cruise float
My go‑to waterproof shoes for the Bahamas and the Caribbean
The packing cubes that keep my cabin organized
What Is a Princess Casino Offer?
Princess Cruises sends out casino offers to select guests, often based on past play or onboard spending. These deals can include:
Deeply discounted cruise fares (sometimes as low as $0 + taxes)
Free onboard credits
Reduced deposits or free upgrades
You don’t have to be a high roller to get them. I’ve received offers after minimal play—sometimes just a few hours in the casino on a previous sailing.
Need shore excursions for your next adventure? I personally use the following:
How I started getting Princess Cruises Casino Offers
In May 2024, I took my son on a Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Enchanted Princess. Every day, I spent about an hour—sometimes a little more—playing video blackjack in the casino. It’s my favorite game, and by the end of the cruise, I had earned 2,100 casino points.
When we booked the cruise, we received $400 in onboard credit, which I treated as my casino “investment.” I played steadily over all seven days, and by the end, the casino had reclaimed that $400. Sure, I would’ve loved to come out ahead, but I wasn’t playing to win big—I was playing the long game: to unlock future cruise offers.
At the end of the trip, I received a “Come Back and Sail” offer with $500 in free play for a future cruise. It wasn’t quite the deal I was hoping for, but I knew I was on the right track. About six weeks later, the real magic happened—I started getting Princess Casino Cruise offers by email. I was literally jumping up and down. My plan had worked.
Now, I receive offers every few weeks by email and mail. I’m not a high roller by any means, but I’ve been scoring free interior rooms (with upgrade options) and a bit of free play each time. These cruises aren’t completely free—I still pay taxes, fees, and a $200 deposit per person—but that deposit gets refunded as onboard credit. For example, our interior room for a Norway cruise was $310 per person, or $620 total. But we received $400 back in onboard credit, making it an incredible deal.
📚 Recommended Cruise Guidebooks
Planning your next Princess cruise? These guidebooks are incredibly helpful for choosing excursions, understanding ports, and getting the most out of your itinerary. I use these when planning my own sailings:
Alaska Cruise Guidebook — perfect for glacier days, wildlife viewing, and choosing the right excursions
Caribbean Cruise Guidebook — great for beach days, port highlights, and family‑friendly activities
Mediterranean Cruise Guidebook — ideal for history lovers, foodies, and anyone navigating multiple countries in one trip
Rick Steves Europe — my go‑to for European ports, walking routes, and cultural tips
How Much Play You Need to Get Casino Offers on Princess Cruises
Princess doesn’t publish exact numbers for how much you need to gamble to receive casino offers — but after sailing on Princess, comparing data points from cruisers, and tracking typical Players Club patterns, there are clear ranges that most people fall into.
Here’s what you can realistically expect.
1. Light Play: $200–$500 per cruise
This level usually gets you:
Small casino offers
10–30% off future cruises
Occasional free play ($25–$50)
Lower‑tier Players Club emails
Who this fits: People who play casually — a few hours of slots or low‑stakes tables.
Will this get you a free cruise? Not usually. But it can get you discounted fares.
2. Moderate Play: $500–$1,500 per cruise
This is the sweet spot where many cruisers start seeing real offers. I am usually on the lower end of this. If they have Video Blackjack on the ship, I can play the whole week for around $400-$500. It’s my game!
Typical offers at this level:
30–60% off future cruises
Free interior or oceanview on select sailings
$50–$150 in free play
More frequent casino emails
Better availability on “free cruise” offers
Who this fits: People who play daily, especially on slots, or moderate table players.
Will this get you a free cruise? Often yes — especially on repositioning cruises, older ships, or off‑season itineraries.
3. Heavy Play: $1,500+ per cruise
This is where the consistent free cruise offers start.
Typical offers:
Free interior, oceanview, or balcony
Free play ($100–$300+)
Lower deposits or no deposit
Offers for peak season or popular itineraries
Invitations to casino tournaments
Who this fits: Regular gamblers, high‑denomination slot players, or table players with longer sessions.
Will this get you a free cruise? Yes — often multiple times per year.
How Princess Calculates Your Casino Offers
Princess uses a combination of:
Theo (theoretical loss)
Time played
Average bet
Game type (slots earn faster than tables)
Your past cruise history
How full the ship is
This is why two people can gamble the same amount and get different offers.
Quick Rule of Thumb
If you want consistent free cruise offers, aim for:
👉 $1,000+ in total play per cruise
OR
👉 3–5 hours per day of moderate slot play
This is the range where Princess starts treating you like a “casino guest” rather than a casual player.
Pro Tip: Slots Earn Offers Faster
Princess — like most cruise lines — rewards slot play more heavily than table play because:
It’s easier to track
It has a higher house edge
It produces more consistent theo
If you’re trying to earn offers efficiently, mix in slot play, even if you prefer tables.
How I Stack Casino Offers with Points & Miles
Here’s how I turn a casino offer into a nearly free vacation:
Use the casino deal to book the cruise at a steep discount.
Pay taxes and port fees with a travel rewards card (like Capital One Venture or Chase Sapphire).
Book flights and hotels with points—I often use Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards.
How to Get on Princess’s Casino Radar
If you’ve never received an offer, here are a few ways to increase your chances:
Play in the casino during your cruise—even small amounts can help.
Sign up for the Princess Players Club onboard.
Use your cruise card for all purchases to show spending activity.
Don’t miss my 5 Essentials You’ll Want for Your Caribbean Cruise—Trust Me, You’ll Use Them All ->My Must-Haves
Let’s Travel Hack Together
If you enjoy learning how we travel as a family using points, miles, and smart credit card strategies, I’d love for you to follow along:
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❓ Princess Casino Offers: FAQ
How do you get casino offers on Princess Cruises?
Princess sends casino offers based on your play history, not how much you spend on the cruise itself. The system tracks your time played, average bet, game type, and theoretical loss (theo). If you play consistently—especially on slots—you’ll usually start receiving offers by email within a few weeks of your sailing.
How much do you have to gamble to get a free Princess cruise?
There’s no published number, but most cruisers start seeing free cruise offers when they fall into the moderate to heavy play range:
$500–$1,500 in total play → discounted cruises + occasional free interiors
$1,500+ in play → consistent free interior/oceanview offers
Higher slot play → faster, stronger offers
Table players often need more play than slot players because slots generate higher theo.
Does Princess Cruises offer free play?
Yes. Many casino offers include $25–$300+ in free play, depending on your play level. You’ll see this listed in your offer email or in your Princess account under “Casino Offers.” Free play is loaded onto your card and can be used on slots or tables once onboard.
How does Princess decide which casino offers to send?
Princess uses a combination of factors:
Time spent playing
Average bet
Slot vs. table ratio
Total theo
Past casino history
Sailing demand and ship occupancy
This is why two people can gamble the same amount and receive different offers.
How often does Princess send casino offers?
Most players receive new offers every 30–90 days, though heavy players may see them more frequently. Offers also refresh seasonally, especially before repositioning cruises or shoulder‑season sailings.
Do Princess casino offers stack with other promotions?
Usually no. Casino offers are treated as their own fare category. However, you can often stack:
Onboard credit from your travel agent
Military OBC
Shareholder OBC
Princess credit card OBC
But you typically cannot combine casino fares with standard Princess sales.
Do you need to use your Players Club card every time you play?
Yes — absolutely. If your card isn’t inserted (for slots) or rated (for tables), your play doesn’t count. This is one of the biggest mistakes new casino cruisers make.
Do table games earn casino offers?
Yes, but more slowly. Table games are harder for Princess to track, and theo is calculated differently. If you want stronger offers, mix in consistent slot play, even if you prefer tables.
Can you get casino offers without gambling?
Not from Princess directly. However, some players receive “starter offers” after sailing with Princess multiple times, even with minimal play. These are usually small discounts, not free cruises.
Do Princess casino offers work for any ship or itinerary?
It depends on the offer. Some are:
Fleetwide (best case)
Ship‑specific
Itinerary‑specific
Date‑restricted
Free cruise offers often apply to off‑season or repositioning itineraries, while discounted offers may have broader availability.
How do you redeem a Princess casino offer?
You can redeem it by:
Clicking the link in your offer email
Logging into your Princess account → Offers → Casino
Calling the Casino Reservations line
Casino fares often require a non‑refundable deposit, unless the offer states otherwise.
