BOGO cruise deals — “buy one, get one” — are among the most advertised cruise sales, and among the most misunderstood. On a cruise, BOGO almost never means a free second fare. It means a discount for the second guest in the cabin, and the size of that discount is in the name.
How a BOGO Cruise Deal Works
The first guest in the cabin pays the full cruise fare for that sailing and category. The second guest sharing the cabin receives a stated percentage off their cruise fare. Royal Caribbean’s BOGO60 promotion, offered for bookings made October 6 to November 2, 2026, is a clear example: the second guest in the same stateroom as a full-fare paying guest receives 60% off their cruise fare. Taxes, fees and port expenses, and gratuities, are charged as normal.
Working Out the Real Saving
Because only one of two fares is discounted, a BOGO deal is equivalent to a smaller discount on the whole cabin. Add the two fares, add taxes and fees for both guests, and compare that total with the same cabin under any other offer. Sometimes a straight percentage off both guests, an added-value bundle or a past-guest rate comes out ahead; sometimes the BOGO deal wins clearly.
BOGO Fine Print to Read
- Which fare is “full fare”? The discount is taken from the second guest’s fare for the same sailing and category.
- Eligible bookings. Offers usually cover new individual bookings at prevailing rates; group, travel agent, interline and casino rates are often excluded.
- What it combines with. Royal Caribbean says promo-code offers can combine with BOGO60 and Kids Sail Free but not with group or travel agent rates and other promotions.
- Sailing window. BOGO offers name eligible sail dates and are subject to availability.
- Third and fourth guests. These are priced separately; some offers add a discount for them too.
Who BOGO Cruise Deals Suit
Couples and friends sharing a cabin benefit most. Families can do well when a BOGO offer combines with a kids-sail-free or third-and-fourth-guest offer. Solo travelers gain nothing from BOGO and should look for solo cabins instead.
BOGO Questions
Does BOGO mean the second person cruises free?
Rarely. On a cruise, BOGO usually means the second guest in the cabin gets a percentage off the cruise fare. Taxes, fees and gratuities still apply to both.
Do BOGO cruise deals work for solo travelers?
No, a second-guest discount needs a second guest. Solo travelers should look at solo cabins and single-supplement offers instead.
Can a BOGO offer be combined with kids sail free?
On some lines, yes. Royal Caribbean’s terms, for example, allow its BOGO60 offer and Kids Sail Free to apply together. Always check the specific offer’s terms.
Is This BOGO a Good Deal?
Tell us the BOGO cruise deal and your sailing. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare it with every other offer and send free quotes.
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