Saturday, May 21, 2016

Solo was a dreaded 'four letter word'

Now there are SIX LETTER WORDS

As a solo traveler have you found prices for solo rooms soar during the typical 'vacations weeks'?

Have you found hotel prices higher during particular regions?

Beaches and points of interest are full of tourists. 
Finding a parking space may be your first concern when you stop in a town/city.

And I understand why restaurants cringe when you ask for a table for one (only 1/2 the income).

Family travel and couple travel are a large part of beach travel and resort vacations.   Just a few weeks ago you could hop a short cruise from a southern port for less than the cost of a hotel and meals.   

You can still find a flight during off times and airlines have not started to charge more for ONE seat, but the dreaded '2 for 1' advertising is a warning sign.   And don't ask me what I think of pricing for cruise lines.................

What do you think?

Have you gone to an amusement park solo?
Beach or island resorts:   have you gone solo?
A concert?
A dinner show?


Friday, May 20, 2016

Paid ticket and No where to go.............




Delta is holding me hostage to use a refund voucher within 60 days..................Use it or Lose It!

Where to go?

I am between two very big trips and really do not want to plan, pack, stand in line and squeeze into the back of a plane just now.  And today the 3 hr lines at security needs to be added to the mix.  

So where do I go from Atlanta for just $400 +

Some trips in the USA are better road trips:  within 500 miles or to the many beach towns.  More than 500 miles there are great cities to explore.

It is interesting when you sort out the hundreds of cities you can visit from a major airport, how many cities have what I call B appeal.  Some are far more expensive than a trip to Europe!  And of course starting on Memorial day everywhere will be crowded with 'vacationers'.   It will be more difficult to find solo places to stay, obtain a table in a restaurant and often attend interesting sites, museums, theaters.   Traveling solo is a juggling act, often only traveling off season.


Google Flights suggests the following from my A list:
Toronto, Seattle, Las Vegas, Denver, Portland, Oregon, New Orleans, Vancouver, Colorado Springs, Calgary if I take West Jet and the usual Boston, Philadelphia, NYC or Washington, DC.

There are only 3 cities I have not visited but there are 8 that I have not visited as a traveler NOT a tourist.

But time is money:  add a search for car rentals, hotels and 'things to do' there is perhaps a 100 hr investment in a ticket Delta won't extend for me.

It is NOT only about money it is about WHERE to invest time and funds to obtain a new experience.

I read recently on Boots n All Travel an article by Mary Richardson,  who describes "getting the lowest price is not always the best value when it comes to travel. On the contrary, sometimes going too cheap is a waste of money".   I can add that not all 3 star hotels are equal.  Coach seats on long flights are torture.   My trips are a constant search for new hotels or alternative places to stay and 'solo friendly' places to eat.   I pay more for plane reservations when I can select a seat and check a bag and now hotels that include restaurants give me a back up plan in a city I might not be familiar with.

So the next 2 weeks will be a constant review of all my options for this small, non refundable Delta ticket.  

Do you have a suggestion?


Friday, May 13, 2016

Has Cunard decided SOLO clients are Important?

FINALLY A CRUISE LINE WHO UNDERSTANDS SOLO TRAVEL!

 
 
News from Cunard with new solo
 
cabins................
 

Just saw this from Cunard!

The newly remastered Queen Mary 2 now has single staterooms. We invite you to book one of these oceanview staterooms in category KC or KB or enjoy a double occupancy stateroom with a lower single supplement. All you have to do is contact your Travel Consultant, call Cunard at 800-728-6273 or enter your member number online at Cunard.com. Hurry -- this offer expires 31 May.
Queen Mary 2 in New York
Transatlantic Crossings
New York to Southampton (via Halifax). Click here to view voyage.
Southampton to New York. Click here to view voyage.
New York to Southampton. Click here to view voyage.
New York to Southampton (via Halifax). Click here to view voyage.
Southampton to New York. Click here to view voyage.
New York to Southampton. Click here to view voyage.
New York to Southampton. Click here to view voyage.
Southampton to New York. Click here to view voyage.
New York to Southampton. Click here to view voyage.
St. Kitts
Caribbean
Roundtrip New York. Click here to view voyage.
Roundtrip New York. Click here to view voyage.
Quebec
New England & Canada
Roundtrip New York. Click here to view voyage.
New York to Quebec. Click here to view voyage.
Roundtrip New York. Click here to view voyage.
Quebec to New York. Click here to view voyage.
Queen Mary 2 Remastered
QUEEN MARY 2®. QUEEN VICTORIA®. QUEEN ELIZABETH®.