ON YOUR OWN Try a river cruise
Posted on 11/20/2015
The US Consumer Affairs Research Team believes everyone deserves to make smart decisions. Their website provides readers with the most up-to-date information available about today's consumer products and services. The most recent post is dedicated to river cruising. Among the information is a section about solo travellers which is worth sharing.
1. River cruises allow solo travelers social flexibility River cruises allow for a higher level of personalization than what's experienced on the 3,000-plus passenger ocean liners. With a small number of passengers, the crew gets to know everyone within the first day. They are particularly focused on knowing (and looking out for) the lone travelers — whether ensuring they are happy with their dining arrangements (solo with another person or at a large table) or making sure he or she has returned safely on board after an excursion. The cruise directors offer a myriad of on-board activities to cultivate relationships between individuals traveling alone. From sing-a-longs in the piano bar to singles-only dance parties in the club, it’s easy to acquaint yourself with other cruisers traveling alone.
2. Forget the dreaded “Single Supplement” In the past, a major deterrent for travelers was the “single supplement.” Ranging from 10% to 100% of the cruise fare. This surcharge could be prohibitive. River cruises are known to have the best single-party rates in the cruise industry. For the adventurous solo cruiser, these savings are monumental. Being quick on the keyboard and booking early is a great way to ensure you’ll get the best rate.
Savings-savvy cruisers can also keep an eye out for specials aimed at solo travellers. Most river cruise boats have a handful of single cabins for which there is no supplement. Because river cruises are highly inclusive, they do not depend on each passenger making huge purchases which drive down the cabin prices. For the more social-minded solo traveller, allowing the cruise line to match you with a same-sex roommate can help reduce the single supplement. The more flexible you’re able to be with travel dates and itineraries, the better deal you’re likely to get. 3. River Cruises are not, traditionally, family cruises (read: no children)
A typical river cruise passenger is mature and experienced; many are often retired or close to retiring. The absence of cannon-balling adolescents racing for the 24/7 soft serve machine can be appealing for solo travelling. A more introspective journey, river cruising allows one to take in their surroundings without the background noise of small children. Off-ship excursions are geared towards adults and are more culturally stimulating, history driven and slow paced. Pub crawls, party boats and all-day drinking getaways are exclusive to ocean going mega-ships. An individual traveller can easily immerse themself in the regional culture and explore “behind the scenes” local destinations. River cruise boats lack mega-ship amenities like youth lounges and large production Vegas-style shows which tend to keep them kid-free.
4. There’s safety in numbers — even if that number is ONE There aren’t a lot of vacation options where you can venture off alone and feel as safe as you will on a river cruise. A river cruise provides many security measures to ensure the wellbeing of their guests. Because there are a smaller number of passengers on river cruises, it’s ideal for the intrepid to feel alone while not actually being alone. Getting to know your ship’s crew adds another level of safety — if they know you they will know to watch out for you. If it’s solitude you seek, a river cruise is the vacation for you.
5. Your vacation, your rules River cruises can be as active or leisurely as you’d like. If watching the landscape go by from a deck chair is all you want to do — do it! If you want to indulge in a spa day — great! If you want to join other cruisers on a bicycle tour of the countryside du jour the most difficult choice you may have to make is choosing whether or not your bike has a basket. River cruises are an easy, stress-free way to travel solo. Simply unpack once and watch the world come to you. Want to learn more about river cruises? Check out the full ConsumerAffairs River Cruises guide.
