How we Booked our 2026 Solar Eclipse Cruise
Thanks to a deal from Princess Cruises, we scored an amazing price. We’re cruising through the Mediterranean to witness the 2026 solar eclipse—and we didn’t pay full price. Thanks to casino offers, points, and a little travel hacking magic, we booked an oceanview cabin on the brand-new Sun Princess for just $1,132, plus $400 onboard credit. The retail value? Over $5,700.
This isn’t just a cruise—it’s a bucket-list celestial event, a European adventure, and a masterclass in strategic booking. Here’s how we did it, where we’re going, and how you can start cruising for free too.
Why We’re Booking a Solar Eclipse Cruise
My husband loves all things science. In 2017, we traveled from our then-home in Alabama to Tennessee to see a total eclipse (we had no idea in less than a year we would be living here!). He had been planning on this for years, and I used points and miles to make it happen. I booked different hotels on points all around the area, and when we got closer to the Eclipse, we picked the one with the best prospects for us to have the best Eclipse experience.
Last year, I did the same thing. I booked rooms from Indiana to Arkansas, and we picked one with the best possibilities the week of the Eclipse.
If you have never seen a total eclipse of the sun, it’s crazy cool! One of the coolest things I have ever seen. We have been lucky to see two. Driving home from Arkansas, we joked we should try to do the one in 2026. We laughed because we knew it was in Europe.
Using Casino Deals for Free Cruises
Yet thanks to a Princess Casino Cruise deal, I am going to try for 3 total Eclipses. Since it is over a year away, I only have the cruise booked. I had looked for this a few months ago, but the 7-day was not included in the casino promotions for me. One thing I have is tenacity, so I just kept checking, and a few days ago it popped up.
We priced this out as an ocean view. For $1,132, we booked the Sun Princess from Barcelona to Rome. We will get $400 back in onboard credit. When I priced this out without my Casino discount, it would have been $5,716.00 for us! That is a massive savings. I started getting free casino cruises back in 2023. Usually, I get a free interior room and some free play. I can then pay extra for upgrades. If you want to learn how I started this journey, you can read about it here.
Planning Flights with Point.me
I will start my airfare searches with Point.me (use code NOPOINTLEFTBEHIND4
→ 4 months free on an annual Standard plan). When we get past the year mark for this cruise. We will be flying into Barcelona and home from Rome. We have visited both places before, but I am anxious to go back to Barcelona. We took our kids there on their first trip to Europe. Hopefully, the Sagrada de Familia will be finished by then. We will stay a night or two in Barcelona, and I will most likely fly us home directly after the cruise from Rome.
I am so thankful for the points and miles that help make our love of adventure and travel so affordable!
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:
Or subscribe to my Substack newsletter for weekly tips and trip updates.
