Solo Deal Alert: 14 Night Ocean Crossing on Holland America Line's ms Noordam. Departs March 21, 2014. Cruise from $1,118 ($80 per day) from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona. Highlights: Fort Lauderdale, Ponta Delgada, Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena, Barcelona. Taxes not included; terms and conditions apply. #solotraveler#cruisedeals#vacation#cruise Call Linda Carella at 800-787-1871, or learn more at http://bit.ly/1mH7inMprices can change so call Linda for an update
The life of the solo diner table, these
women know how to travel!
A great side benefit of traveling solo, without a relative, a spouse or a best friend, is to meet travel ‘friends’.
Travel friends are different than the friends you have at home, work friends or even casual friends. They can be a local you meet while traveling as well as another traveler on your tour or plane or ship.
Speaking with strangers eliminates the limitations we can put on our conversations. Perhaps because you do not expect to see them ever again, you loose any inhibitions. The conversations between 'strangers' can often include topics never spoke about back home. You often speak more frankly with travel friends, sharing hopes, problems or dreams.
The travel friends I like the best are other travelers I meet on my long ship trips and staff members who interact with passengers because they enjoy it NOT because it is policy. With 7 or 14 days at sea there is time for chats and deep dialogues over dinner or drinks.
Who have you met on your travel adventures?
Chef took the time to chat with me every day
on a long crossing......such great energy and
a wonderful attitude, I enjoyed our short exchanges
Craig taught computer skills to 'mature'
passengers without ever laughing when I asked
the same questions.....
My BEST TF, we met on an extended
crossing and Pat showed me how
you can have fun every day! Hope to
see her when I get to OZ
A chance meeting at a museum in
Naples, we walked together
during the visit .
Tina has a concierge travel business in Naples
but you will want to become TA friends with her.
This was one of the best days I had in Italy, I
forgot I was there to do an interview for Home To
Italy, it was as if I was visiting an old friend.
New friends in Venice: Irma and Monica On my next trip Home to Italy we shall
have a cooking day with Ada.
AMAZING Norma! We had tea together on the Queen Mary one afternoon.
I love a woman who will order one of everything! oh yes we both did.
Norma is a painter and a teacher. She taught a painting class during the cruise.
Such energy at 90!
Solo dining tables: On previous crossings I had never joined a solo table. On this trip I was admonished to put on my 'friendly face' and join the table the first night to see what it was like. So it was a great pleasure to find myself seated at a table of totally diverse passengers on the east and west bound trip.
As with any group there were some personality clashes. Only 3 other passengers arrived the first night and two of them did NOT return the second night! Was it something I said?
But Holland America replaced the empty seats with a great group of travelers: Norma (see above) the ship's painting instructor for several weeks, Horst who I did not realize spoke English and Ralph a well know musician who was performing during the sail.
My return trip was even more interesting but my new travel friends did not want to be written about. You Never know who you will meet when traveling..
My newest TF who is a traveler full time!
He promised to send me a list of diners in NJ I can explore.
It is exciting to see solo travel given the coverage it deserves!
Will the cruise lines stop charging solo travelers up to double the cost of other travelers? (Yes, I know about the cabins for one)
Will hotels start offering prices for one traveler? (available in many European hotels)
and my least favorite ad is 2 for 1 pricing......
Airlines, buses, trains or ferries do not charge more for one person.
This should be a wake up call for the travel industry, you are ignoring an untapped market.
Read the article by Leanora Collett for Travel Weekly.*
by Leanora Collett for Travel Weekly
"Roy Morgan Research has released statistics that indicate more travelers are choosing to travel alone. Over the past decade there has been an increase from 12% - 14% travelers are seeking new adventures and choosing to travel less with their families and go solo instead.
With the increase in solo travelers, destinations will be looking for new ways to attract the new market.
There has also been a marked decrease in the number of families going overseas with their children. Only 26% of people travelled as part of a family, down from 29% a decade ago. The lack of the traditional family structure could be a reason behind the decline.
The decline in family holidays is having an effect on major theme parks and family destinations, such as the Gold Coast, with fewer families making the trip.
Research showed individuals travelling with other relatives slightly increased from 12%-13%. Statistics remained consistent for couples, those travelling with friends, school groups and tour participants."
* Travel Weekly is the market-leading magazine for the Australian travel industry, featuring news and analysis, career advice, training and product information, competitions and giveaways, new technology and online development, cruising, and leisure and business travel.
