How I Booked a Thanksgiving Cruise for Under $800 for Two — In a Mini‑Suite
Thanksgiving cruises can get pricey, but this year I pulled off one of my best stacks yet. I booked a 5‑day Thanksgiving cruise for two people in a mini‑suite for under $800 total — and here’s exactly how I did it using casino offers, points, and a little strategic timing.
If you’re new here, this is the same system I use all year long:
👉 My Guide to Princess Cruises Casino Deals
This post may contain affiliate or personal referral links. That means I may earn a small commission if you book or buy through them — at no extra cost to you. I only share brands and tools I personally use and love.
⭐ 1. The Casino Deal That Started It All
I always keep an eye on my casino offers, and this one stopped me in my tracks:
Island Princess — 5‑day Caribbean sailing $360 per person, Mini-suite, Thanksgiving week
What made it even better?
Brandon barely has to take any time off work
It sails to Amber Cove and Grand Turk — two of my favorite “do nothing” ports
Perfect weather, easy ports, and low stress
For $360 a person, a mini‑suite during a holiday week is almost unheard of.
Related reading:
⭐ 2. Flights on Points (7,500 + 9,000 Each)
Once the cruise was locked in, I went straight to flights.
American Airlines had:
7,500 miles per person on the way there
9,000 miles per person on the way home
That’s 33,000 AA miles total for two people round‑trip during a holiday week.
If you’ve ever priced Thanksgiving flights… you know that’s a steal.
Related: 👉 How I Book Flights With Points
⭐ 3. Pre‑Cruise Hotel: Using Our Free Night Certificate
We always fly in the day before a cruise — especially during the holidays.
Our plan this year:
Use our Hilton Free Night Certificate (we get it every June)
Stay in Ft Lauderdale
Use our Hilton Aspire Resort Credit to cover the resort fee + extras
Last year, we stayed at the Hilton Bentley South Beach and it was incredible.
👉 Read my Hilton Bentley South Beach Review
👉 Why I Love the Hilton Aspire Card
⭐ 4. Why This Cruise Was Such a Win
Here’s the breakdown:
For a holiday sailing, this is one of the best value stacks I’ve ever pulled off.
⭐ 5. Why I Love Amber Cove & Grand Turk for “Do Nothing” Days
Grand Turk Cruise Port
These ports are perfect for low‑budget, low‑stress cruising.
Amber Cove
Free pool
Free loungers
Small Lazy river
Beautiful views
No transportation needed
Grand Turk
Walk off the ship straight to the beach
Free loungers
Margaritaville pool
Crystal‑clear water
⭐ 6. What We Pack for These Ports
– Hammock float - my most asked about item when I sail
⭐ 7. How We Paid for This Trip
How We Paid for This Trip
Flights: American Airlines miles
Hotel: Hilton Free Night Certificate + Aspire Resort Credit
Cruise: Casino offer
Every trip reminds me that travel hacking doesn’t have to be complicated — it’s just about stacking the right offers at the right time. This Thanksgiving cruise is proof that even holiday sailings can be affordable when you mix casino deals, points, and a little planning.
If you want to learn how I book trips like this all year long: 👉 How I Book Cruises for Less
About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, where she teaches families how to travel better for less using points, miles, and real‑life stacking strategies. After 20 years as a stay‑at‑home mom, she turned her travel‑hacking system into a lifestyle — taking 12–15 trips a year across the U.S., Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean, often for little to no cash out of pocket.
She now travels with her husband Brandon, their sons Tanner and Finn, her parents, and her best friends — proving that smart travel isn’t just possible, it’s repeatable.
