Princess Cruises Greece: How We Booked Our Greek Isles Cruise
Mykonos from the Sun Princess
Some trips stay with you forever, and our Princess Cruises Greek Isles itinerary was one of those rare, pinch‑me experiences. From stepping onto the ship in Rome to watching the sunrise over Athens, this cruise felt like a dream — and the best part is that we didn’t pay full price to make it happen. We used a mix of points, miles, and a Princess casino offer to bring the total cost down by thousands.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a Greek Isles cruise is worth it, or if a bucket‑list Mediterranean trip like this can actually be affordable, this guide walks you through exactly how we did it. I’m breaking down our cruise costs, flights to Rome, Athens return flights, hotel stays, and every travel‑hacking strategy that made this trip possible without blowing our budget.
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If you’re just starting to plan your Mediterranean cruise, you might also love my step‑by‑step guide to how I research and book cruises — it’s the exact process I use to find the best itineraries and deals.
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Princess Casino Offers
🎰 Princess Casino Offers: The Deal That Made This Trip Possible
One of the biggest reasons this trip became affordable was a Princess casino offer. While our cabin was technically free, we still paid about $180 per person in taxes and port fees. Princess also requires a $200 non‑refundable deposit per guest, which is returned as onboard credit once you’re on the ship — a perk I always put toward drinks, specialty dining, or excursions.
I’m usually a balcony girl, but on my last Princess cruise, I barely used it. So this time, we upgraded our complimentary interior cabin to a premium ocean view, which felt like the perfect middle ground.
Total cruise cost:
7‑night Greek Isles cruise: $1,320
Onboard credit received: $400
Savings vs. retail price: ~70%
When I priced the same itinerary without the casino deal, it would’ve been over $4,000. This is why I always tell people: these offers are worth chasing.
Want to understand how these offers work and how to get one yourself? I break it all down in my Princess Cruises casino offers guide.
✈️ Flights to Rome Using Points
I started searching for flights about 10 months before the cruise, using point.me to check award availability. Award space changes constantly, so I ran searches weekly.
If you want to try point.me, you can use my code: NOPOINTLEFTBEHIND4 → 4 months free on an annual Standard plan (That’s over 30% off compared to paying monthly.)
I enter my home airport, destination, dates, and cabin preference — and point.me does the rest. It even tells you how many points to transfer and from where.
If you’re new to award travel, my Beginner’s Guide to Points and Miles walks through the basics and shows you how to start earning for trips just like this.
✈️ Our final outbound flights:
Nashville → JFK → Rome on American Airlines
20,000 AA miles each
$11.20 total in taxes for both tickets
I rebooked multiple times as better options popped up — one of the biggest perks of using points.
🛫 Athens Return Flights & Upgrades
For our return, I originally booked Athens → Atlanta with a long layover in Paris. But then I found a better option using Flying Blue points:
Athens → Nashville on one ticket
85,000 Flying Blue miles total for both passengers
$650 out‑of‑pocket including seat upgrades
Booking everything on one ticket was worth it for peace of mind — especially with how unpredictable flight delays have been lately.
🏨 Hotel Stays in Rome and Athens Using Points
We always fly in at least one day early for European cruises. For Rome, we booked:
🏨 Rome — Sina Bernini Bristol
65,000 Marriott points
Great location and perfect for a pre‑cruise stay
Booked a Viator transfer from the hotel to the cruise port
Looking for something amazing to do in Rome? Browse Rome activities → Get Your Guide
🏨 Athens — Grand Hyatt Athens
After the cruise, we stayed two nights in Athens:
Night 1: Free Night Certificate
Night 2: Points
This hotel has a rooftop pool with Acropolis views — the perfect way to unwind after a busy itinerary.
Curious what I actually pack for trips like this? Here are the 10 essentials I used every day on my last cruise — all practical, mom‑tested items that make cruise life easier.
💰 Final Cost: My Dream Greek Isles Cruise for Just $2,000
Here’s the full breakdown:
Princess Cruises Greek Isles itinerary: $1,320
Flights to Rome: $11.20
Flights home from Athens: $650
Hotels in Rome + Athens: Free with points
Total out‑of‑pocket: ~$2,000
Using points, miles, and casino cruise deals, we turned a bucket‑list adventure into a budget‑friendly reality. This is exactly why I love travel hacking — it lets us explore the world without overspending.
🌅 Is a Greek Isles Cruise Worth It? My Honest Review
Absolutely. This itinerary was everything I hoped it would be — sun‑soaked islands, ancient history, incredible food, and the kind of moments you replay long after you’re home.
What made it even more meaningful was knowing we didn’t have to overspend to make it happen. With the right strategy, a little flexibility, and a few smart travel‑hacking moves, you can make this exact trip happen too.
Every sunrise, every port, every memory was worth it.
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About the Author
Julie is a travel‑hacking expert and the founder of NO POINT LEFT BEHIND, a resource for families who want to turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips. She shares practical guides, points strategies, and real‑life travel experiences to help you maximize every dollar. Stay connected — follow Julie on Facebook for fresh travel tips and join the Travel Hacking Moms Facebook Group to be part of a supportive community of travelers learning 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:
