Sailing Solo - A Single's Guide to Cruise Holidays
©2001 Diane Redfern & Connecting:
Solo Travel Network. Information.
By Diane Redfern
Costs
| Strategy
| Sharing
| Which Cruise
| Relationships
| Tipping
| Cautions
Convenience, Comfort, Companionship, Cost
Somewhere
on the world's waterways, a terrific holiday awaits almost every sort of
traveler on board an extravagant assortment of waterborne craft: luxury
liners, fun ships, expedition vessels, freighters, yachts, river boats,
coastal cruisers, even canal barges. Whatever your hobby or passion, it's
happening on a ship. Many lines offer "theme" events featuring anything
from big-name personalities to best-selling authors, big-band sounds to
country dancing, E-world workshops to scientific seminars, anything at
all might be on the agenda.
Even if floating resorts and non-stop activities
are not your style, you certainly have abundant alternatives for a cruising
holiday. Excursion cruises accentuate ports of call over shipboard entertainment.
The ambience is casual and the diversions unconventional, usually focused
on ecologically appealing natural attractions.
If your sense of sophistication is satisfied
neither by size nor trappings but by examining a new perspective while
on vacation, you could sail safely away on an expedition ship to the remotest
corners of the globe. Your companions in adventure are scientists and other
experts who conduct on-board and in-the-field seminars.
Convenience
The first of many good reasons why cruising
is a sensible vacation choice for singles is that simply by requesting
seating at a table-for-eight you have ready-made dining companions.
- You never have to go in search of things to
do. Just make an effort to join in the extensive array of shipboard activities
listed on the daily calendar. All you have to do is sign up and show up
to participate, either actively or from the sidelines if you prefer. Should
your mood turn reflective, quiet corners are always nearby.
-
It is perfectly acceptable to be alone on
deck, in the lounges, bars or at the entertainment shows, and the congenial
atmosphere on board allows ample meet and mingle opportunities.
-
Ship protocol simplifies some of the complications
that often plague the early stages of friendship (or courtship) because
meals and most activities are included in the cruise cost, so there's no
embarrassment about who pays.
-
People alone definitely feel at greater risk
as a mark for random acts of theft and violence. A cruise ship provides
the security of safety in numbers during shore excursions, and helpful
ship's personnel are on hand to lend support in the event of any emergency.
That is all good news for singles.
Cost - Two is the Happiest Number
On the down side is the added cost forced
upon singles by a travel industry that perpetuates a double-occupancy standard
by continually ordering up ships designed with staterooms built for two.
Dozens of new ships hit the market in recent years, and reports indicate
that about 50 new ones are expected by 2005 - all designed with double-sized
cabins, so singles have little chance of seeing the demise of the dreaded
single supplement any time soon.
Singled Out of Sales
With all those additional cabins to sell,
cruise lines aggressively compete for market share - early bird discounts,
last minute sales, two-for-one deals, free air, free hotel, bonus upgrades.
Call virtually any travel agent, any day, and find a 7-day Caribbean cruise
under US$1,000, even as low as US$499 (C$750). At those prices no cruise
line makes money.
Turning a profit is a numbers game that
counts singles out. Filling up cabins two by two rather than one by one
adds up to double the people spending double the dollars on lucrative extras
that mean the difference between profit and loss, such as shore excursions,
souvenirs, drinks, and gambling - even tips, on which crew members heavily
depend.
Older ships often have a few single cabins,
and a few cruise lines do offer some double-occupancy cabins without a
single supplement, but rarely, if ever, do these cabins go on sale because
the demand for them far exceeds their number. Once in a while a cruise
line waives the single supplement for specific dates. Seldom are these
deals widely publicized; frequently, only selected travel agents have the
lowdown, and those that do are cautious in divulging details. That is because
pricing is tightly guarded by the cruise line - "capacity controlled,"
they call it, and chances are, there is a variety of other, even better,
deals going for two people booking together. At some point one in a cabin
is better than none, but only after all other marketing schemes have failed
to bring in two.
A Strategy for Singles
Decision: Are You an Independent
or Group Traveler? A cruise, by definition, is a group holiday, so you'll
be a part of the ship's group, whether you go by yourself (independently)
or as part of a smaller "group" of designated cabins reserved by, say,
a travel agent or singles travel club.
- An independent traveler likes
to maintain control of arrangements and activities. An independent traveler
prefers to leave options open and flexible.
- A group traveler prefers the no-hassle
approach: pay the money and let somebody else do the planning.
Independent Traveler
You have to weigh up the advantages of
cost savings, convenience, and companionship of group travel compared to
independent travel. Once upon a time, taking advantage of discounted group
prices was the only way to cut costs. Nowadays, the Internet gives consumers
direct access to all sorts of discount travel agencies and auction websites
unheard of until recently. Furthermore, savvy solo cruisers report that
most cruise lines are open to one-on-one bargaining rather than letting
cabins go unsold. But, only those who have the time, interest and stomach
for wheeling and dealing succeed - you could wait around for a sale that
never materializes. Besides luck and bargaining skills, you also need to
do some detective work.
-
Research for special rates through traditional
advertising media, such as newspapers, magazines, travel books, newsletters,
and the Internet.
-
Sign up for E-mail lists to receive news of
sell-offs. Cruise lines, discount and cruise specialist travel agencies
send E-mail newsletters that make it easier for consumers to keep abreast
of last minute sales and other specials.
-
The majority of sell-off cabins will be priced
for two people sharing, and without a roommate you'll have to pay as much
as 200% of the double occupancy rate. Even so, you may still have a bargain.
Group Traveler
Let's face it, this bargain hunting can
be more trouble than it's worth. Most people just want to get good value
for their holiday buck, so joining a ready-made group is likely the best
choice for overall convenience and cost-savings.
Singles Groups
There are two main reasons why individuals
prefer a singles-only group over a mix of couples and singles: First, in
a group composed only of singles no one feels like the odd person out in
a party of couples. Second, there is always the alluring possibility that
a compatible friendship, romance, or possibly even a long-term relationship,
may result from traveling with like-minded individuals.
Cost-Sharing or Dating Game
Most travel agents and even singles travel
clubs emphasize companionship and cost savings over "romance" because it
is hard to control social factors that contribute to group dynamics such
as age, professional and educational differences. To avoid disappointment,
possibly embarrassment, be sure that your purpose for joining a singles
group coincides with the purpose of the trip organizer.
Questions need to be asked:
-
How many people are expected?
-
How many women/men?
-
What sort of activities, parties, games are
planned?
-
Does "singles cruise" mean an entire ship
full of singles, or only that a specific number of cabins have been reserved
for a group of singles? How many in the group?
Sharing a Cabin
If single supplement charges equal the
difference between going on holiday or staying home, the only alternative
is to share a cabin with a companion found through travel ads, or by choosing
a cruise line or group that pairs up singles. Rooming with a stranger is
a gamble, but on the positive side, there is always a chance of meeting
a true kindred spirit, and the possibility of making a lasting friendship.
And, unlike traveling with friends or relations, two strangers have freshness
on their side - there are no old issues, hangups, or personal grudges to
color every situation.
On the other hand, some people snore. Some
people smoke. Some people read in bed. Some people are restless sleepers.
Some people are cheerful early risers. Some people talk a lot. Some people
are nit-pickers. Some people are clinging vines.
After an honest assessment of your own
idiosyncrasies and habits, you'll probably admit to a few personal imperfections
yourself, then you can honestly decide whether or not you can be flexible
enough to tolerate a roommate, or indeed whether you yourself are a tolerable
roommate.
If the answer is "no" either way, you obviously
have no other choice but to pay whatever price is necessary to have sole
occupancy of a cabin.
Choose the Cruise
Single travelers, whether independent
or group-oriented, worry as much about feeling comfortable being one in
a bunch of twos as they do about costs, so ship ambience is another important
planning consideration.
-
Be clear on your reasons for taking a cruise
holiday. Is it simply the itinerary, the ship, the safe, no-hassle comfort
that attracts? Or do you harbor a hope for romance? If so, social considerations
such as age range of passengers and ratio of women to men will assume greater
importance.
-
A general but not absolute rule of thumb is
that age range increases the longer the cruise and more exotic the destination.
-
Anyone under 30 and in the mood for fun has
a greater chance of finding it on a 3, 4, or 7-day Caribbean sailing simply
because short, sunshine itineraries tend to attract a younger, beach-party
crowd.
-
On board ship, women over 50 are likely to
find other women in their age group with whom to share activities, though
their male counterparts are frequently in short supply. So, if dancing
every evening is part of the plan, choose one of several lines that offer
a "gentleman host" program, which assures a number of suitable male companions
are always on board to socialize, play cards, and be dance partners for
single passengers.
Opening Lines - Breaking the Ice
-
Spend your first hours on board getting acquainted
with the ship. Knowing the layout and a bit about ship procedures gives
you topics of immediate interest to chat about among your shipmates.
-
Consider packing a T-shirt or two that displays
the name of your home town or other places you have been. You can wear them
on shore excursions or at casual-wear events. This is a good way to attract others who may have been to the same place or might want to go, and gives them an easy conversation starter.
-
Be approachable. Look people in the eye, smile,
then plunge in with any friendly remark. Make others feel as if they are
valued and important. Try not to let first impressions allow you to categorize
people into "your type" or "not your type.
-
When there is a choice of dinner seatings,
the second attracts more singles. Be sure to take a turn buying wine for
table mates, unless everyone is a teetotaler.
-
Follow common sense and avoid well-known talk
taboos: race, religion, politics, off-color or ethnic jokes.
-
Keep a positive, cheerful disposition. This
is no place for a battle of the sexes attitude, complaining about the opposite
sex, or crying over past relationships.
Crew Members
Beware of a broken heart if you get serious
over the attentions of an officer or crew member. Realize that all cruise
lines forbid crew members to enter a passenger's cabin without an official
reason. Passengers are not restricted from entering crew members' cabins,
but discretion is warranted.
Men and Women
Sharing
If you find a cruise companion of the
opposite sex and decide to share a cabin, just as friends - or whatever
- be sure and establish do's and don'ts beforehand. Otherwise, you could
be into the holiday from hell.
Tipping Etiquette
Tipping, they say, is a personal matter.
Some cruise lines - notably Holland America - try to maintain a "tipping
not required" policy, but, in fact, generous tipping, in one form or another,
is expected to supplement crew wages. Each cruise line has its own way
of handling what has always been a touchy situation for passengers.
While some companies, such as Seabourn
Cruise Line, include gratuities in the basic cost, others, such as Cunard
and Norwegian Cruise Line may automatically add a sum to your shipboard
account, which you may change if you wish. Other lines may provide guidelines
in an information pack, or during orientation meetings early in the voyage.
-
Plan for between $3 to $5 per person per day
for the cabin steward, the same for the dining room waiter, and about half
that for the busboy. At the end of the cruise, or weekly on longer itineraries,
discreetly leave the cash in US dollars in an envelope addressed with their
names. Note the words "per person." In most cabins two people will be sharing,
so the steward is hoping for a minimum tip of $6 and up to $10 per day
per cabin. Even if a single person in a cabin tips the maximum suggested
$5 per day, the steward still loses. Ask yourself, if you were a cabin
steward, who would you rather serve?
-
If you want to change the perception that
singles are low value passengers, you might consider tipping more than
the suggested amount. Surprise your steward by leaving a nice size tip
early in the cruise, say on day two. That gesture may inspire an extra
measure of service.
-
A 10% to 15% service charge may be automatically
added to bar bills. If not, tip the bartender at the time of service.
-
The wine steward attends to your wine order
and expects a tip of 10% to 15%, either added to the bill presented for
your signature, or in an envelope at the end of the cruise if you order
wine every meal.
-
The Head Waiter attends to special requests
or complaints about the food or dining room service. The Maitre d'hôtel
is in charge of seating arrangements. If either one does you a favor, you
might consider this service worth a tip.
-
Officers and other ship
personnel do not normally expect tips.
Buyer Beware
Never before have travelers had access
to so much information and so many money-saving alternatives. As the opportunities
increase so does the need for caution. This is especially so for single
travelers because the double-occupancy standard prevailing in the travel
industry often forces us to look beyond familiar, home-based companies
to find affordable holiday solutions.
To minimize the risks and maximize the
advantages, take precautions to safeguard your travel funds.
-
First, try to work with a local, trusted travel
agent - no matter where you find a suitable trip, whether it be from a
newspaper ad, in Connecting newsletter, Internet agency, or singles travel
club. Note the details and give a local travel agent a chance to make the
arrangements on your behalf, or match the price with an alternative.A knowledgeable
travel agent should also be able to give advice on applicable consumer
protection laws, holiday insurance, as well as other issues of concern
such as any special visa or health requirements.
-
If a travel agent is unable or unwilling to
make arrangements for you, or, if you are simply bent on negotiating the best
possible price yourself, be sure to check the credentials of travel suppliers
involved, especially if you find what seems to be a really great deal on the Internet.
-
Internet companies: Some sort of "About Us"
information button should be prominently displayed on the Home Page. The
information should include a street address, local and toll-free telephone
numbers, details about company officers, length of time in business, and
affiliations with professional organizations such as ASTA (American Society
of Travel Agents), ACTA (Alliance of Canadian Travel Agents), IATA (International
Air Transport Association).
-
Singles Travel Clubs: Should be operated either
as a division of a licensed travel agent or by an organization that makes
arrangements through a licensed travel agent, or can otherwise show proof
that consumers' money is protected.
Checkpoints
-
Price: Is it quoted in US$$, C$$, or
some other currency? Does it include port charges, taxes and other fees
that may add as much as $200 to the cruise cost.
-
Airfare: If airfare is required, be
sure flights are in place, with plenty of connecting time, before paying for cruise deals that will no doubt
be non-refundable.
-
Insurance: Be sure to understand what
protection you get from insurance coverage offered by the cruise line as
compared to that offered by private companies through your travel agent.
-
Payment: Paying for travel arrangements
by major credit card rather than cash gives you better recourse for recovering
monies in the event a travel supplier defaults on services. On the other
hand, NEVER, give your credit card in payment, either by phone, mail, or
over the Internet, until you are certain you are dealing with a reputable
travel supplier.
Single Friendly Cruise Lines
See Chart of Single-friendly Cruise Lines
DR