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Traveling solo is beset with extra charges that couples don’t encounter, the greatest being the “single supplement” where singles have to pay for two beds when they only want one. Cruise ships claim they need to be compensated for the losses incurred when they receive only half of the revenue potential of a stateroom. The additional charges can range from 10% to 100% of the standard rate, which means single travelers pay twice the rate as couples!
Avoiding the single supplement is easy, providing you are willing to share a room with a stranger. Some tour operators and cruise lines offer a roommate finding service and there are firms that cater exclusively to single travelers. But singles only groups often include games, speed dating events, and social gatherings, so if you are more interested in engaging with the destination than the other passengers, here a re some options:
- The Norwegian Epic provides “studio cabins” specifically designed and priced for the solo traveler. The studio complex consists of 128 staterooms on two decks opening to a private Studio Lounge for exclusive use by the singles in the studios.
- Avalon Waterways waives the single fee on select departures close to the sailing date (Nov/Dec 2011); while Uniworld Boutique River Cruise has waived single supplements on select departures for 2012.
- Silversea’s new solo traveler fares are among the most generous, now only 10%-25% above the double occupancy rate.
- Viking River Cruises has ships with single cabins: Primadonna (8 single cabins), Prestige (6 single cabins) and the Legend (5 single cabins). There are also single cabins on their ships in Russia and Cambodia.
My best advice is to be the first in line for the few departures where single supplements are waived (usually during shoulder season). Or wait until the last minute when companies are desperate to fill staterooms with any warm body, single or otherwise!
Happy traveling!
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