Crossing the Atlantic, Solo

I have used a ship before to travel to Europe and on to Italy .  In off season you can often travel for LESS than business class airfare and arrive relaxed not jet lagged and crippled from sitting 9 or 10 hrs in a seat smaller than a dining room chair. This year was  exceptional for bargains. Unless you have a travel agent willing to do the work, finding a great price requires diligent searches on line, signing up for every cruise lines price alerts and often price
checking your target trips constantly.

          But all this work can pay off.

The general rule is to charge solo travelers double the fare for other passengers.
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Often there are promotions for ‘no solo supplement’ or discounts for solo travelers  as ships do not reach their capacity bookings.


Relax on the deck and watch the sea.

My searches result in affordable travel to many of the locations on my ‘travel list’.   Having time is an asset. 

While reviewing the cruise offerings over an 8 week period I found $100 a day sailings to Greece, Turkey and in the Mediterranean in October and November.  Several were priced even lower.

Many travelers have the one or two week ‘vacation’ per year and must arrive at their destination ASAP. I don’t choose to take beach trips so I concentrate on travel to countries outside of North America. 

Transatlantic crossings offer wonderful relaxing days, with additional options for learning, entertainment and meeting travelers from all over the world.   My east bound trip will exceed my goal price of 100 euros per day but combined with the exceptionally low priced return sailing of less than $100 per day, it all averages out.

And you must take into account the Queen Mary is NOT a budget cruise line.   Think about taking this ‘experience’ once in your life.  . 



 Be a traveler NOT a tourist

Alitalia just sent this.   Business class for the SAME price as my ship crossing (balcony cabin). Be creative with your solo travel. Choose the comfort of Magnifica-Business Class for your holiday escape to Italy. Great holiday fares starting at $2512 round-trip. Don’t miss them! Hurry and book until November 30th, 2013. NEW YORK MILAN from $ 2512 RT, taxes and fees included A 14 day advance purchase is required. NEW YORK FLORENCE from $ 2572 RT, taxes and fees included A 14 day advance purchase is required. NEW YORK VENICE from $ 2574 RT, taxes and fees included A 14 day advance purchase is required. NEW YORK ROMA from $ 2817 RT, taxes and fees included A 14 day advance purchase is required.   BOSTON ROME da $ 2827 RT, taxes and fees included A 14 day advance purchase is required. BOSTON NAPLES from $ 2584 RT, taxes and fees included A 14 day advance purchase is required. MIAMI PISA from $ 2791 RT, taxes and fees included A 14 day advance purchase is required. MIAMI ROME from $ 3037 RT, taxes and fees included A 14 day advance purchase is required. Click on each offer to read the fare conditions. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights and dates. Tickets must be purchased by November 30, 2013. A 14 day advance purchase is required. The minimum stay is three days and all travel must be completed by January 7, 2014. A $450 fee will apply to any date changes, in addition to the applicable fare difference. Outbound travel is from December 14, 2013 through January 4, 2014. Return travel must be between December 25, 2013 and January 7, 2014.

Solo Sale!

How fast can you pack for these last-minute solo offers on Royal Caribbean? Ocean Crossing » 13 Nights, Lisbon to Miami on Vision of the Seas Cruise from $606† Sailing: October 28, 2013 Ocean Crossing » 15 Nights, Barcelona to New Orleans on Serenade of the Seas Cruise from $703† Sailing: October 20, 2013 Enrichment Journeys Ireland & Scotland with Cunard » 17 Days Dublin to New York on Queen Mary 2 Journey from $4699 with air and transfers, 8 nights hotel, local tour hosts, cruise, 10 included and fully escorted tours Departing: June 15, August 30, September 29 and November 3*, 2014 Baltic and More with Celebrity» 22 Days Dublin to Amsterdam on Celebrity Constellation Journey from $6599 with air and transfers, 8 nights hotel, local tour hosts, cruise, 10 included and fully escorted tours Sailing: May 12* and August 16, 2014   Deals for Solo Travelers AMA Waterways Paris & Normandy Apr-Nov 2014 from $2349 with regional wines, beer and soft drinks with lunch, dinner and daily small group shore excursions The Enchanting Rhine Mar & Nov 2014 from $1649 with regional wines, beer and soft drinks with lunch, dinner and daily small group shore excursions Vietnam, Cambodia Mar-Sep 2014 from $1149 with regional wines, beer and soft drinks with lunch, dinner and daily small group shore excursions Call For More Info: 800-787-1871 Message from Linda Carella Solo Specialist AMA Waterways Explore new worlds by docking right in the heart of the old-world towns and cities that line the splendid rivers of Europe. Within minutes of your arrival, you’ll be walking down their cobblestone streets. With less than 150 passengers, river boats are ideal for the solo traveler as they offer small ship convenience and a warm, friendly atmosphere. This month we’re featuring AMA Waterways with solo deals that can’t be beat and include a daily port excursion and world-class dining, complete with wine at dinner and lunch. From the moment you step aboard you’ll be surrounded by beauty and luxury. 800-787-1871

Do you search for Gender Based Travel?

I know women are out there going solo, just read the hundreds of blogs on line. 

But this article by Robert Upe surprised me
Contact author with any questions.

 

Ladies-only travel adventures taking off

Date

October 4, 2013 - 11:11PM

• 

Robert Upe

Travel and Tourism Writer

• 

Women-only travel is an emerging trend. Photo: Getty Images
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/ladiesonly-travel-adventures-taking-off-20131004-2uzdz.html#ixzz2gnBQTrVG
 
 
 
 
Women-only travel is an emerging trend. Photo: Getty Images


Women-only holidays are taking off, with increasing numbers of them travelling solo or with girlfriends.

They're shopping overseas, rolling up their sleeves at cooking classes, rejuvenating at health retreats, trekking remote trails and just finding some "me time".

A recent survey by lastminute.com.au shows that 46 per cent of women have holidayed alone in the past 12 months and the Small Luxury Hotels group reports a 53 per cent increase in room nights booked by single female occupants.

"We have seen women-only travel as an emerging trend for the past few years," said Bridget McDonald, the director of boutique agency Cherry Picked Travel.


"Women are getting more confident about travelling alone, and in groups, and many prefer to travel with other women. Travelling with other females allows them to see and do things that suit them, rather than catering to the differing tastes of men," she said.

Ms McDonald said some of the activities women like include shopping, dining out, cocktail hours, cooking classes, massages and yoga.

David Goldman, joint managing director of the Goldman Travel Corporation, said women like to take up cooking classes, often in Europe and travelling as mother/daughter, and to relax at resort areas in Thailand and Fiji. He said they also like to go to retreats in Australia such as Gaia (Byron Bay), Gwinganna (Gold Coast hinterland) and Golden Door (Hunter Valley and Gold Coast hinterland).
Catherine Baker, a consultant who specialises in women-only travel for Flight Centre offshoot Travel Associates, said women are also hitting the adventure trail.

"Women-only travel is popular these days and involves everything from walking and hiking in Nepal, going to Africa, going on the Inca Trail and lovely holidays in Europe where they do one-day walks and culinary tours," she said.
"Sometimes it is multi-generational travel, like mums and daughters doing trips together, or sometimes three generations that will travel to spend quality time together and do something pretty amazing."
Jill Doble has just landed back in Australia after a two-week women-only trip, arranged through Travel Associates, to hike part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail in Spain.

"It was my first trip to Europe and a non-English speaking country. Part of doing it with a women-only group and a guide was the sense of safety," she said. "I am in my 50s and most other women were about that age. It was non-threatening and it was good to be with like-minded people, women in particular."
Ms Doble said it was a bit soon to plan her next journey, but she has her eye on a women-only writers' trip to Italy.

Jayson Westbury, the chief executive of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, said women-only travel may be in a renaissance.

"There are lots of forms of niche travel and certainly travel that brings women together is a tremendous idea," he said. "It's like travel with kids, a space that has also got a heavy following."
- with Jane E. Fraser

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/ladiesonly-travel-adventures-taking-off-20131004-2uzdz.html#ixzz2gnB4CmlR