|
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.
|
