Comp cruise with Margaritaville at Sea with special guest Marc | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

How did I score a free (or nearly free) balcony suite cruise using a mix of credit card points and casino loyalty perks?

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula breaks down his December 2025 Margaritaville at Sea cruise and explains the strategy behind turning a comp cruise offer into a suite-level upgrade.

I cover the whole experience from start to finish: booking and pre-cruise planning, travel to the port, first impressions of the ship, and a detailed look at the balcony suite amenities.

You’ll also hear my honest take on dining onboard, what felt worth it, what I’d skip next time, and how Margaritaville at Sea compares to other cruises and travel redemptions.

We also get into the casino side of cruising: casino promotions, random drawings, rewards programs, and gambling strategy, including sessions of blackjack and craps, and how I think about offers and play when the goal is maximizing overall value.

If you’re into points and miles, MGM Rewards, casino comps, status matches, and travel hacking, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can apply to your own trips.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

00:45 Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Experience

01:10 Meetups and Social Media

01:55 Booking and Preparing for the Cruise

02:17 First Impressions and Ship Details

05:22 Room and Amenities

06:33 Travel to Cruise Port

09:58 Boarding and Initial Impressions

12:40 Dining Experiences

21:57 Casino and Gambling Insights

28:15 Casino Strategies and Observations

29:56 Random Drawings and Rewards

30:46 Blackjack and Craps Sessions

33:04 Frequent Traveler University Conference

34:15 Cozumel Port Day

38:19 Progreso Port Day

40:50 Cruise Reflections and Future Plans

44:00 Upcoming Cruises and Status Matches

48:26 Holiday Plans and Rewards

52:19 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

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