Cruising for Singles
Choosing the right holiday for someone who is single can be a real problem. Anyone who has travelled alone knows how difficult it can be to get a good table in a restaurant, or have a relaxed drink at the bar without feeling self-conscious. It is often difficult in a holiday resort dominated by couples and families, to meet like-minded people interested in making friends. And with nobody to share taxi fares, or keep them company as they search for a late-night cab, many lone travellers feel limited to staying close to base on holiday, thus missing out on a lot of the fun.
For single women, personal security is a problem, and for men, the fear that their friendly overtures may be misinterpreted.
Taking a cruise is an ideal solution. You can enjoy a pleasant meal, see a show, have a night-cap in a quiet piano bar, or even dance the night away in a night-club without the worry of getting back to your hotel afterwards. Because a cruise ship is to an extent an enclosed society, it will offer a sense of community and friendliness often lacking in shoreside resorts. By day there are plenty of activities to participate in, from pool parties, beauty demonstrations and fashion parades to lectures, arts and crafts classes, cookery demonstrations and keep-fit classes. In discovering new hobbies and learning new skills making new friends is easy.
Going ashore
When you go ashore you have the security of knowing that the ship's crew keeps tabs on who's aboard and who isn't. You can also go ashore in groups on the organised shore excursions. Shore excursions these days have been enhanced to include extra elements such as al fresco lunches in smart restaurants, walking tours, and beach stops. Younger solos can try kayaking, white water rafting or mountain biking in Alaska; or in the Caribbean they can go snorkelling or on a catamaran trip. Trying something new ashore not only creates bonds between passengers, it also provides a topic of conversation back at the ship over dinner. On cruise ships single travellers never have to dine alone.
Dining
Though modern ships have a fair proportion of tables for two and often a range of dining options - from intimate bistros to Chinese, Italian and Mexican restaurants - the majority of ship dining rooms still seat most guests in groups of four, six or eight. This makes them a good choice for singles, who will be relieved they won't have to dine alone in a corner with nothing but a good book for company. On some cruises, dinner tables are hosted by senior officers adept at making conversation and putting others at their ease. Generally passengers are grouped with others of a similar age and background.
One of the advantages of the latest generation of big, modern cruise ships is that they leave solo travellers free to be as sociable or as quiet as they wish. Though there will be a regular place at table in the ship's formal dining room for every passenger, guests are always free to take advantage of more casual dining outlets with new-found friends, or even to eat in splendid isolation in their cabin if they want a "quiet night in".
Social Activities
The same goes for social activities. Most ships will organise special singles get-togethers early on in a cruise. Others will even employ special hosts to socialise with older ladies travelling alone! Lines with hosts on board include Cunard, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line and Orient Lines. The hosts are carefully screened to ensure they are of impeccable character, and they play a useful role in helping single ladies make the most of their cruise by enjoying a dance, a conversation or a game of cards. Such initiatives aim to ensure that solo travellers are not left feeling isolated. However at every stage of a cruise, the extent to which passengers wish to participate is entirely up to them.
The Price is right
One bone of contention for all single travellers - whether taking a cruise or staying in a hotel - is that most prices are based on two people sharing a room, so solos must pay extra to get a room to themselves.
Some ships have dedicated single cabins (but these soon go, so book early if you want one). Others charge a supplement, usually one and a half times the per person sharing a twin cabin rate - for single occupancy of a double cabin. This is because the logistics of servicing the cabin are the same for two as only one occupant. If you wish, some ships will match you with another single of the same sex to share a cabin and thus save costs.
To find out which lines offer cruises for singles, or for
cruise availability ring
David Brown Travel on 01249 650668 or contact us by e-mail below.