It All Started with a Bottle of Wine…
As all of our best adventures do, this trip began with a few glasses of wine and a little friendly daydreaming with our best friends. JoJo had always said she wanted to see Italy – so when our annual Casino Prime Cruise certificate list came out after our 2023 Christmas cruise, and we spotted a 7-night sailing through the Mediterranean aboard Oasis of the Seas, the decision practically made itself.
This particular itinerary skipped France (even though the sailings before and after stopped there), but it was still a dream lineup – Spain, Italy, and the Mediterranean coast over Labor Day week, which meant fewer vacation days from work.
Our annual Casino Cruise Certificate covered an interior cabin, but as the sail date approached, we decided to go big and upgrade to a Crown Loft Suite. The Pilot and I love stretching our perks, and this one turned into an incredible deal.
Trip Cost & Savings Breakdown
| Category | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 🛏️ Stateroom | Upgraded from interior certificate to Crown Loft Suite (L1) | $5,254.00 |
| ✈️ Flights | DFW → Amsterdam (Premium Economy) + Amsterdam → Barcelona (Business Class) | $600 (for 2) |
| 🏨 Hotels | Pre-cruise and post-cruise reward nights | $0 |
| ⚓ Port Charges & Taxes | Standard government & port fees | $217.46 |
| Total Out-of-Pocket Cost | $6071.46 |
| Market Value (Retail Price) | $12,300 |
| Our Savings | ≈ 50% off retail value! |
Perks Included:
- $250 total onboard credit ($50 from NextCruise Certificate and $100 point redemption from RCL Co-Branded Credit Card)
- Suite upgrade benefits
Note: There was no Shareholder Benefit OBC this time, as those can not be combined with the Annual Free Cruise Certificate.
Why We Love Oasis of the Seas
This wasn’t our first time sailing on Oasis of the Seas — in fact, it was our fourth. There’s a reason we keep coming back to her. For us, Oasis represents that perfect balance between big-ship excitement and relaxed, familiar comfort. Every time we board, it feels like coming home — just with a new adventure waiting on the horizon.
We’ve cruised the Caribbean with her several times, but this Mediterranean itinerary brought something entirely different. Instead of turquoise waters and tropical breezes, we traded palm trees for Spanish coastlines, Italian art, and Mediterranean sunsets. This was our friends’ first time on an Oasis-class ship, and we couldn’t wait to share in the magic.
Our Crown Loft Suite was the icing on the cake — spacious, elegant, and complete with suite lounge access. Dinner in Coastal Kitchen is always a highlight, and this sailing was no exception.
And the best part? We pulled off this entire once-in-a-lifetime European sailing for nearly half the retail price. Between our Casino Prime perks, Royal Caribbean credit card rewards, and carefully timed upgrades, we managed to make a luxury Mediterranean cruise almost affordable.
So come sail with us, as we experience our first trip to Europe aboard one of our favorite ships at sea.
Daily Log
Day 6 – Naples, Italy: From the Amalfi Coast to Ancient Pompeii
Day 5 – Rome, Italy: A Day at the Vatican
Day 4- La Spezia, Italy – The Cinque Terre That Almost Was
Day 3- Oasis of the Seas – Sea Day
Day 2- Palma de Mallorca, Spain
