We are booked for the Joy during spring break. We got the BOGO airfare as part of our package. They emailed us about two weeks ago and asked for a date and time to call and go over the new promotion.
When they called, a very nice woman explained that this promotion allows passengers to choose their own flights rather than let NCL choose them. In the program, the cost for four BOGO passengers to fly from our Midwestern airport to Miami would cost an additional $2K. This was above our BOGO fare which worked out to be about $800 per passenger, averaged. I was a little confused since this is our first NCL cruise and second overall--ever.
Yes, I understand BOGO travelers fly at the mercy of whichever flights are available approximately 3 weeks before our cruise. I also understand the flight arrangements and airlines (and fares) are chosen to best benefit NCL, but why would I pay $2k more? Her response was that some people want to be able to choose their own flights, carriers and points programs.
Hmm, but an additional $2k is a steep price for this accommodation. It felt a bit like a bait and switch. That said, she didn't try to pressure me into a sale. She just said, "hakuna matata" (literally) and that she fully understood, thanking me for choosing NCL and wished us a great trip.