I've been cruising since the mid-'90s, and after two upcoming cruises later this year, I'll have completed 18 sailings.
27.07.2023 - 18:50 / smartertravel.com
The hospitality industry usually looks at travel the same way that Noah looked at his ark: two-by-two. Cruises, hotels, tours, and many other activities are geared—and priced—to favor couples, with the familiar “per-person, double-occupancy” (PPDO) pricing as the norm. But that’s no longer a realistic reflection of today’s travel market.
Whether you’re a millennial, a baby boomer, or somewhere in between, an increasing number of people are seeking ways to travel solo. I personally travel solo because my long-term travel companion, my wife, died a few years ago. Some young people enjoy solo travel simply for the freedom it gives them to do what they want. It’s true for all types of solo travel enthusiasts that you can’t totally escape the solo travel penalty that lodging or tours frequently impose—but you can at least try to minimize it.
Related:10 Trips Millennial Travelers Will LoveHere are some ways to tap into truly solo travel—not the singles-matching system that so many travel operators use. You don’t have to give into sharing a hotel room or cabin with anybody, let alone a stranger.
1. Solo Travel Trips: CruisesDidn’t think cruising accommodated single travelers? Norwegian Cruise Lines is a major player in solo cruising, with “studio” cabins specially designed for solo occupancy: The Norwegian Epic has 128 onboard so you’ll have plenty of solo travel company, and some other ships feature anywhere from 10 to 50 solo cabins. Rates are typically higher than half the standard PPDO rates for the cheapest cabins, but they’re still good options as long as you book early.
Not looking for a smaller solo room? Then consider booking late: Cruise lines sometimes offer free or very low single supplements for solo occupancy of a conventional double cabin—especially if the ship isn’t full within a month or less of departure date. During winter the best deals are usually in the Caribbean, but don’t ignore a late-winter holiday on a Mediterranean or river cruise, where operators also sometimes offer good solo rates. One of the easiest ways to locate these deals is to sign up for email deal alerts from SmarterTravel’s sister website, CruiseCritic.
Related:Cruising for Independent Travelers 2. Solo Travel Trips: Ski TripsSkiiers and snowboarders who want freedom on the slopes have little to lose from booking a solo travel snow adventure. Yes, you’ll probably pay the same price for your hotel room or condo that couples would be able to split—but stick with a budget accommodations, and everything else is basically per-person, with no particular benefit for couples. You pay lift tickets, meals, and equipment rentals only for yourself, and there’s usually an apres ski lodge where you can chat with other travelers
I've been cruising since the mid-'90s, and after two upcoming cruises later this year, I'll have completed 18 sailings.
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The travel industry obviously doesn’t like true solo travelers much: Almost all tours and cruises are priced on a “per person, double occupancy” basis, and most hotels charge the same rate for either one or two people. If, as a singles traveler, you just want to avoid a stiff single supplement, the industry often promises to find someone to share with you so you can, in effect, travel at the couples price. But if you really want to travel solo, your options are limited.
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