The Secret Cruise Hack to Get Free Trips: “I Went on 26 Sails in a Year”

Imagine setting sail on a luxury cruise—unlimited buffets, ocean views, exotic ports of call—and not paying a dime. While it sounds too good to be true, travel insiders say there’s one little-known hack that can actually get you on board for free. Whether you’re dreaming of a Caribbean escape or a Mediterranean adventure, cruise lines are increasingly offering steep discounts—or even comped trips—to savvy travelers who know how to work the system.

More specifically, if you gamble onboard, you have a better chance of getting your next cruise for free.

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Why Playing at the Casino Can Help You Earn a Free Cruise

For instance, one user on Reddit admitted that 3,000 gambling points onboard earned them “just about any cruise I want and $150 in free slot play.” They were eligible for a 10-night Alaskan cruise, but also flushed $1,400 down the drain in losses.

“For me (who likes to gamble anyways [sic]), it’s worth it,” they argued in a viral thread about the cruise line Royal Caribbean that’s accumulated hundreds of comments.

Another user commented, “I went on 26 cruises in 2023, just on the ‘free’ cruises. I cruise solo, so it’s much cheaper to earn cruises and get free marketing cruises than to pay double occupancy.”

Amazed, other Reddit users asked how this traveler was able to score so many free cruise. Their secret? Playing the slots strategically.

“I usually gamble on most cruises but not always, and certainly not every day/night. I generally have a point balance I’m shooting for and a dollar budget. When I hit either one, I stop. Because I’m perfectly okay with interior rooms, I shoot for 1,500 points or $1,500. Either way, because I’m playing I get free offers constantly. In fact, as I typed this out, I went and checked and I have more free cruises to book.”

Other users in the thread shared their free cruise experiences, including one person whose brother-in-law earned enough points to cover an entire cruise for a family of four, and a couple who haven’t paid for another cruise after their first one thanks to their gambling points.

Some said they’ve had great luck at both the slots and when playing Texas Hold ‘Em.

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How to Play It Smart

Many experienced cruise gamblers say the key to scoring a free cruise by playing in the onboard casino is knowing when to step away and cash in your earnings.

“We’ve always gotten our cruises cheaper through gambling than paying retail. For instance, we did the Christmas cruise on the Celebrity Ascent and our goal was to get 4,000 comp points ($20k money through) to get a comped balcony stateroom,” explained one Reddit user.

By the time they accrued 4,000 points, they had spent $1,200. But with those points, they were able to book a nine-night Celebrity Equinox cruise. The journey made stops in Italy, France, and Spain. A cruise of this stature normally costs $4,400 full price—they saved $3,200 total through gambling.

Of course, scoring a comped cruise this good has a lot to do with luck and timing.

“Cruise comps typically can’t be booked out further than six months in advance,” the traveler continued. “As these cruises are getting closer, if they’re not sold out, the cruise lines typically start dropping the prices.”

Additionally, you have to put in significant time and effort at the slots or tables. For example, it took this cruiser over 20 hours over the course of a seven-day sail to rack up the points they needed.

The Downsides of Winning Big

Whenever it comes to playing games at a casino—whether onboard or on dry land—it’s important to set your limits.

Many of the commenters in the Reddit thread said they do this and walk away from a table if they’ve hit their spending limit.

Others aren’t sold on this method to earning a free cruise.

“I’m a degenerate gambler and even I wouldn’t advise doing it just to get a free cruise unless you’re going multiple times per year,” said one Reddit user, making the argument that “land” casinos have better offers and options for “casual” gamblers.

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Another commenter argued, “No, it’s not worth it. If you’re going to gamble anyway, then yeah, it’s a nice perk. But every time I do a ‘free’ cruise, it costs me a bunch. You still pay taxes, port fees, and any packages like internet and drinks. I also have to pay to travel there and for a hotel the night before.”

Plus, gambling comes with its risks, and those won’t outweigh the reward of a free trip.

“In the end, you are simply fronting the cash for the possibility of a future cruise,” quipped one user. “Personally, I prefer seeing the world instead of being in the casino.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, the National Problem Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 at 1‑800‑GAMBLER (1‑800‑426‑2537). It offers free, confidential support, referrals to local resources, and access to counseling via phone, text, or online chat.