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I’m back with another What This Really Cost breakdown — this time for our sailing on the Island Princess, one of Princess’s smaller, cozier ships with that classic‑Princess feel. We booked a mini‑suite, added a few spa extras (because obviously), and used points and miles to cover our flights and hotel in Fort Lauderdale.
Here’s the full Lazy Girl cost breakdown — real numbers, real value, and the little wins that made this sailing feel extra sweet.
⭐ Why I Cruise Princess So Often
Princess is my comfort cruise line. The ships feel familiar, the dining is consistent, and the itineraries fit the way I travel. But the real magic is how I book:
I stack casino offers with
points and miles, plus
smart timing and flexible itineraries
…which means I cruise far more often than I ever expected — and usually for far less than people think.
If you want to learn exactly how I do it, you can read my full strategy here: How I Book My Princess Cruises
And if you want everything Princess in one place, here’s the full hub: Princess Hub
🛏️ Our Mini‑Suite: $860 Per Person (With Premier!)
We booked a mini‑suite for $860 per person, and yes… that price included the Premier Package.
That means:
Unlimited drinks (up to $20)
Unlimited premium desserts
Unlimited fitness classes
Unlimited Wi‑Fi
Two specialty dining meals
Crew appreciation
Princess Prizes
Photo package
Medallion accessory credit
For $860pp, this was a ridiculously good deal — especially considering how much value we actually used. On a 7‑day sailing, Premier easily covers its cost if you use even half the perks.
Check out my review for the Premier package and see why this is my husband’s preferred way to travel with Princess Cruises.
💆♀️ Spa Extras: Thermal Suite + Couples Massage
You know I’m a spa girl, and Island Princess has one of the coziest thermal suites in the fleet. So here’s what we added:
Thermal Suite Pass — $99 (Score!)
I grabbed this on sale for $99, which is basically unheard of. This gave me access to:
Heated tile loungers
Steam room
Sauna
Tropical rain shower
Relaxation room
Couples Massage — $339
We booked a couples massage for $339, paid online pre‑cruise to lock in the time slot we wanted. We also booked it on a port day, which always makes spa pricing more affordable.
Was it worth it? Absolutely — especially on a smaller ship where the spa feels more intimate and less crowded. The therapists were fantastic, and the relaxation room afterward was dreamy.
✈️ Flights: Cash + Points (JetBlue)
For this trip, JetBlue had ridiculously affordable fares, so we mixed cash + points:
Flights down: $5.60 each (taxes only — booked with points)
Flights home: $286 total for two paid tickets
This is one of those rare times where paying cash actually made more sense. The fares were low, the timing was perfect, and the direct route home was a total Lazy Girl win. Two tickets on points, two tickets paid — simple, strategic, and exactly how I make real‑world decisions when the numbers line up.
🏨 Pre‑Cruise Hotel: Conrad Fort Lauderdale (Amex FHR Win)
We booked our pre‑cruise stay at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale using the Amex Platinum Fine Hotels & Resorts credit, which is one of my favorite perks for fancy stays.
With FHR, we got:
$300 annual credit
Early check‑in
Guaranteed 4pm late checkout
Breakfast for two
$100 property credit
Room upgrade when available
Our out‑of‑pocket for the Conrad stay was $127 after applying the FHR credit — luxury without paying luxury prices. This perk is one of the reasons I love the Platinum card for cruise travel.
If you’re flying in the day before your cruise (which I always recommend), I have a full guide to the best pre‑cruise hotels I’ve stayed at — all different price points, all real stays, and all bookable with points or perks. You can browse them here: Pre‑Cruise Hotel Hub
🌊 Was It Worth It?
Absolutely. This sailing was one of the best value‑for‑money Princess trips we’ve taken — especially with:
A mini‑suite at under $900pp
Premier included
Spa extras at great prices
Smart flight strategy
FHR hotel perks
Cozy vibes, great service, and that classic Princess charm
Island Princess may be smaller, but she delivers big on comfort and charm.
📌 Related Posts You’ll Love
Island Princess Spa Review
About the Author
Julie Davis is a cruise‑obsessed traveler and the writer behind NoPointLeftBehind.net. She’s sailed on Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and MSC — but Princess is her comfort line. Julie uses points, miles, casino offers, and smart timing to travel often, and she shares the Lazy Girl version of travel hacking: simple, strategic, and actually doable. She books all her own travel and teaches you how to do the same.
Read more from Julie:
