2014 NO SOLO SUPPLEMENT!

Thanks to Sharron with  Palm Court Travel/Cruise Brothers we have a list of 2014 sailings with NO solo supplement.
You can reach her on FB at Cruises & More Travel Services

Her contact information is at the end of her list

Add caption

NORTHERN EUROPE 10           May 11,2014      Genoa, Italy        Amsterdam (IJmuiden), Holland   Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica   3.0         $1,493   $1,493   0%         No Supplement!                12           Jun 1,2014           Amsterdam, Holland        Amsterdam, Holland        Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica       3.0         $2,403   $2,403   0%         No Supplement!                12           Jun 25,2014        Amsterdam, Holland        Amsterdam, Holland        Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica       3.0         $2,663   $2,663   0%         No Supplement! #             14           Jul 7,2014            Amsterdam, Holland        Amsterdam, Holland        Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica       3.0         $3,428   $3,428   0%         No Supplement!                12           Jul 21,2014          Amsterdam, Holland        Amsterdam, Holland        Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica       3.0         $2,923   $2,923   0%         No Supplement!                12           Aug 2,2014          Amsterdam, Holland        Amsterdam, Holland        Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica       3.0         $2,923   $2,923   0%         No Supplement!                12           Aug 26,2014       Amsterdam, Holland        Amsterdam, Holland        Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica       3.0         $2,663   $2,663   0%         No Supplement!                10           Sep 7,2014          Amsterdam, Holland        Savona, Italy       Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica   3.0         $1,493   $1,493   0%         No Supplement!                11           Sep 7,2014          Amsterdam, Holland        Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy            Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica     3.0         $1,493   $1,493   0% GREEK ISLANDS Feb 24,2014        Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy            Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy            Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica       3.0         $1,493   $1,493   0%         No Supplement!                11           Mar 7,2014         Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy            Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy               Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica         3.0         $1,623   $1,623   0%         No Supplement!                11           Apr 9,2014          Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy            Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy               Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica         3.0         $1,623   $1,623   0%         No Supplement!                11           Apr 20,2014        Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy            Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy               Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica         3.0         $1,623   $1,623   0%         No Supplement!                11           Sep 18,2014        Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy            Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy               Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica         3.0         $1,623   $1,623   0%         No Supplement!                14           Oct 17,2014        Athens (Piraeus), Greece Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy            Silversea / Silver Spirit          6.0         $5,950   $7,438   25%      Suite!                11           Dec 24,2014       Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy            Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy               Costa Cruises / Costa neoRomantica         3.0         $1,753   $1,753   0%         No Supplement!

Am I just a CHEAP traveler?

I had to stop and think this week, “why do travel agents not understand value vs price?”   

Am I just a CHEAP traveler to all the agents who contact ME to to book a trip or more often my transatlantic crossings?    Endlessly I explain how I view travel and particularly transportation costs.
OF COURSE I prefer to travel business class, OF COURSE I enjoy a balcony on my 2 or 3 week sailings but I have a yearly travel budget.

I travel to add stories to my blogs and to experience new locations.   I don’t want to find a perfect place 15 years from now and say, ‘wish I had been here sooner’!

Therefore I take the yearly budget and divide it between all the trips I want to take each year.   If the location is more expensive to travel to or in, then I must devote more funds to that trip.

If I am spending 6 or 8 weeks Home To Italy, I can budget more closely since I rent apartments there or have Monasterystays.com book me into great convent hotels along my travel route.     I can live in Italy for less than in Atlanta, GA!

As I plan an additional trip for 2013 there are endless choices where I can spend my money.    Planning a 30+ day trip to maximize where I can travel, who I can interview and what special events I can attend is a tedious job.   Idea lists, maps and finally a spread sheet summarizing the ‘opportunities’ consume my time and every flat surface in my home:
the spare room has the side trip to Turkey,  the dining room is the command center, the den is the sorting and posting room……   is there an easier way?

Of course if I went to one location and experienced one town in one country, this would be far simpler but I have a limited number of years to see it all and do it all.

So travel professionals, I am NOT JUST CHEAP,  I am careful and a planner.

Do you spend more than 10k a year on travel?

USA Today just posted this: No Solo Supplement on a Clipper Ship!

This item was written by Larry Bleiberg, former travel editor of The Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine. Bleiberg is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.
 
Solo travelers won't have to pay an arm and a leg to sail on Star Clippers this November and December.
The small-vessel line, which visits many small ports on sailing ships, is eliminating the extra charge for single travelers on select Caribbean and Central America sailings, and offering price-breaks of up to 66% off brochure rates, along with a one-category cabin upgrade.
The eligible dates include Royal Clipper's Nov. 23 sailing from Barbados, and Star Clipper's Dec. 14 and 21 trips from St. Marteen. Travelers can also get the savings on Star Flyer's Nov. 24 sailing from Balboa, Panama, and its Dec. 15, 22 and 29 trips from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica.
Fares start at $1,385 per person for a single in a double cabin, including the price savings. The offer is capacity controlled due to limited availability for singles.
For more information, visit starclippers.com.

Star Clipper's Star Flyer is a 170-passenger, four-masted barquentine that takes its inspiration from the famed clipper ships of the 19th Century. Clipper ships were built for speed, often achieving 20 knots or more and sailed to the far ends of the earth before the age of steam.   Peter Knego
 

• This item was written by Larry Bleiberg, former travel editor of The Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine. Bleiberg is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.

today an online post on no Solo Supplements on River Cruises!

River Cruises Solo???

Solo Traveler Savings on select Boutique River Cruises

Single travelers can choose river cruises with special offers

Reduced Single Supplement Savings is available on the following select river cruises and departure dates:

Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley | Porto to Porto | 8 Days
2013: Nov 17
2014: Mar 27, Apr 3, Apr 10
Splendors of Italy | Venice to Rome | 13 Days
2013: Nov 3, 10
Splendors of Northern Italy, Venice, Florence & Rome | Venice to Rome | 13 Days
2014: Apr 6

Subject to availability. Capacity controlled. Other restrictions may apply. Uniworld reserves the right to withdraw or change offers at any time. For complete details on all promotions, general information, and terms and conditions applicable to all Uniworld trips, please contact your local travel agent. Reduced Single Supplement applies to cruise/tour package.


Waived Single Supplement Savings is available on the following select river cruise itineraries and departure dates:
Castles along the Rhine | Basel to Amsterdam | 8 Days
2014: May 10, 17
Classic Christmas Markets | Nuremberg to Frankfurt | 8 Days
2013: Dec 22
Enchanting Danube | Budapest to Passau | 8 Days
2014:  Mar 23 
European Jewels | Budapest to Amsterdam | 15 Days
2013: Oct 20

European Serenade | Vienna to Amsterdam | 13 Days
2013:  Nov 2
Imperial Capitals of Europe | Istanbul to Vienna | 16 Days
2014: Apr 7
Legendary Rhine & Moselle | Amsterdam to Basel | 13 Days
2013: Oct 15,  Nov 8
Paris & Normandy | Paris to Paris | 10 Days
2014: Mar 16, Mar 23
Paris & the Heart of Europe | Paris to Vienna | 18 Days
2013:  Aug 25
Parisian Winter Holiday | Paris to Paris | 8 Days
2013: Dec 13, 27
Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley | Porto to Porto | 8 Days (cruise only)2013: Nov 14
2014: Mar 30, Apr 6, Apr 13
Rhine Holiday Markets | Basel to Cologne | 8 Days
2013: Dec 22
Springtime Tulips & the Rhine | Amsterdam to Frankfurt | 8 Days
2014: Apr 2

Tulips & Windmills | Amsterdam to Antwerp | 10 Days
2014: Mar 28, Apr 3


Venice & the Po River | Venice to Venice | 8 Days
2013: Jul 28, Aug 4, 18, 25, Nov 10
2014: Apr 6, Jul 27, Aug 3

Subject to availability. Capacity controlled. Other restrictions may apply. Uniworld reserves the right to withdraw or change offers at any time. For complete details on all promotions, general information, and terms and conditions applicable to all Uniworld trips, please contact your local travel agent. Single Supplement Waiver applies to cruise only.

• FIND A CRUISE
• REQUEST A QUOTE
• FEATURED RIVER CRUISE
• NEW IN EUROPE 2013
• NEW IN ASIA 2013
• NEW IN 2014
• SPECIAL SAVINGS
• SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
• LOCATE A RIVER CRUISE SPECIALIST
• SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTER
• HOLIDAY SEASON RIVER CRUISES
• EPICUREAN ADVENTURER PROGRAM
• FAMILY FRIENDLY PROGRAM
• PERSONALIZE YOUR CRUISE

• REQUEST A BROCHURE
• E-BROCHURE
• BROCHURE PDF

• © 2013 UNIWORLD RIVER CRUISES, INC.
• ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USE OF THIS WEBSITE
• CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF UNIWORLD'S
• PRIVACY POLICY. CST #2075415-20

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISE COLLECTION IS PART OF THE TRAVEL CORPORATION F
Solo Travelers - Uniworld River Cruises
Reduced Single Supplement applies to cruise/tour package. Waived Single Supplement Savings is available on the following select river cruise itineraries and ...
uniworld.com/solo-travelers

REduced Solo Supplement on Luxury Cruise

Just saw the following on one of the many sites I troll daily to find affordable travel for Solo's

Although I have been told by another 'solo travel professional' that perhaps I am not suited for luxury travel "if I plan to wear my travel clothes on board".  She gets none of my yearly budget for travel.    See if this offering suites you......

London and Corsham, Wiltshire (PRWEB UK) 22 August 2013

Travelling solo? Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer reduced single supplements on selected sailings, making their cruises a perfect solution.

The number of people holidaying alone is increasing but it can still be difficult to find an arrangement that really works well and doesn't incur a hefty premium for single occupancy. Regent Seven Seas Cruises have reduced the single supplement on selected sailings, making their all-inclusive luxury cruise ships an option well worth considering for people travelling solo.

A cruise is one of the best holidays around for single travellers, providing a safe environment with like-minded people and allowing them to travel to places they might not be comfortable visiting on their own.
London and Corsham, Wiltshire (PRWEB UK) 22 August 2013
Travelling alone can be a daunting prospect, especially if it’s for the first time, but it can also be an enriching and rewarding experience. It offers the rarest components of true luxury travel - the chance to be selfish, to follow one’s own wishes and interests without having to compromise or negotiate. However, it can also be rather expensive, with the guest often being expected to pay as much as a couple occupying the same accommodation. Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas are offering reduced single supplements on selected sailings, thereby making these cruises an attractive and cost-effective option for the solo traveller.
A cruise is one of the best holidays around for single travellers, providing a safe environment with like-minded people and allowing them to travel to places they might not be comfortable visiting on their own.
Kit Williams, cruise expert at luxury travel specialistSilver Compass, says “For many, travelling alone is not a choice, but for those that do, it can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. It’s very different from travelling with one’s partner or friends but I love to travel solo at times too. Cruising is an ideal option from so many angles, but it’s important to seek the advice of an expert to ensure that the selected cruise is a good match for the traveller.”
It’s crucially important to choose the right ship and sailing; costs for single travellers can be high and not all sailings will have enough guests travelling alone to ensure that those who are don’t feel out of place.
Most cruise ships offer a variety of top quality restaurants and bars, entertainment and activities, as well as excursions to help make the most of the destinations. Many cruise lines include most or all of these in the fare, making a cruise holiday exceptional good value for money. In this environment, learning new hobbies and skills, discovering new places and making new friends couldn’t be easier, especially on some of the smaller ships.
It pays to look out for special promotions and to look closely at the single supplements. This is not just to take advantage of the cost savings but also because those are the sailings more likely to attract other like-minded solo travellers.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the most inclusive of the luxury cruise lines, with specially reduced single supplements currently available on selected 2013/2014 sailings. With these preferential fares, Regent is a particularly good option for single travellers. An unlimited number of excursions is included in the fare and the luxuriously appointed suites, most with balconies, are particularly spacious (at least 301 sq ft.).
With the option of in-suite dining at no extra cost, guests have total freedom to choose between mixing with new friends or having a quiet restful evening after a busy day. Many Regent cruises also offer single traveller get-togethers, facilitate those travelling alone to enjoy shore excursions together if they choose and also to make sure they have someone to join them at dinner, again if that’s what they want.
Examples of Regent’s special singles offers are:
23rd October 2013 | 10 nights | Rome to Venice| from £4951 (Cat F)
7th January 2014 | 10 nights |Sydney to Auckland | from £6451 (Cat E)
22nd March 2014 |10 nights Eastern Caribbean from Miami | from £6121 (Cat F)
21st May 2014 | 7 nights | Alaska and the Inside Passage from Vancouver | from £5341 (Cat F)
The above fares are based on single occupancy of a Balcony suite and include: a reduced single supplement of 50% (available for F to D grades only); flights in economy class, transfers and 1 night pre-cruise hotel stay (B&B). Fares are subject to availability and capacity controlled so they may be withdrawn at any time, so don't miss the boat. Call us at Silver Compass for more information or to book.
About Silver Compass:
Silver Compass is an award-winning tailor-made travel agency based in London and Wiltshire with a passion for exceptional service. Members of the Association of Cruise Experts, their cruise specialists look after every detail and thrive on matching the right cruise line to the customer.

Solo travel circ 2000!

 

Stories about solo travel have been published for years.  I just saw the following from 2000 in Time magazine.   Only part of the story is available but writers were talking about solo travel over 12 years ago.

 

Travel: Going Solo

By Megan Rutherford Monday, Oct. 30, 2000

The yearning to see faraway places and the fear of visiting them alone seem to be universal human traits. Whenever travel writer Arthur Frommer gives a lecture and opens the floor to questions, a woman inevitably raises her hand and asks whether a female can safely travel by herself. "I always notice that all the men are leaning forward to catch the answer too," says Frommer. His verdict, for all concerned: an emphatic Yes!

Once fear is conquered, many older adults find they actually prefer traveling solo. Mature Americans, 55 and older, stay away from home the longest, according to...  Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,998332,00.html#ixzz2bgIi8DZN


Now there are hundreds of articles each month sharing solo adventures, men and women traveling to countries that are often remote and possible considered dangerous by the average traveler.      All solo travelers approach the travel experience differently.

Most writers think solo travel is only for gap years, for 20 somtthings or  for those who don't want a REAL job.   

Fewer articles are written about solo travelers who don't fit these categories.

Food Trucks part 2: Solo Travelers meet more vendors

Food in a Hurry does not have to be tasteless, precooked and dry.   FIAH is here.
 
While researching Food Trucks as the perfect alternative to a restaurant for Solo Travelers, I met Georgia Brown.

A friendly, enthusiastic vendor who was willing to share her story with this blogger.

I learned I could find great comfort food as well as healthy choices that are packed with flavor.
I am planning my next visit for Mac and Three Cheeses!

                          Meet Georgia Brown and her story on how this          food truck originated.

  
                          sweetgeorgiabrownscaterng@yahoo.com
                                   fiahtruck@yahoo.com

 On the FIAH FB page they list some other treats that will go on my list:
Jamaican patties
Macaroni Hot Dogs

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just down the row from FIAH,  I met Jason Powell

 and my diet went out the window. 


From a candy background, Jason's sister Chay, brought the taste of New Orleans sweets to Atlanta with Chayj’s

Using her fathers recipes, Chay creates top selling pretzels covered with praline, classic pralines, popcorn/praline and other sweet treats.   

My policy is, if you don’t buy it you cant eat it and gain weight.   But how can I tell you about Chay J’s pretzels without having tried them?

The bag of pretzels covered in praline coating, almost did not make it all the way home!    Now I will return to try the popcorn and perhaps another bag of pretzels, all as part of the story of course.


sweetst@chayjs.com

Fall cruise to New England Affordable

 The  Solo Travelers Club by Online Vacation Center found a trip RT from NYC to Halifax and St John!
Solo Prices starting at $718 inside *

  

Solo Travelers Club by Online Vacation Center 

  "Experience the warm colors of fall on a Canada/New England Cruise. Roundtrip New York City on Carnival Glory. Make your way through Boston, Portland, Saint John and Halifax. 7 nights from $718 (taxes not included, price subject to change, terms and conditions apply).http://bit.ly/13Arz69 * "

 Contact
  Linda Carella   Solo Specialist

• 1801 NW 66th Avenue, Suite 102
• Plantation, Florida 33313

Today 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Phone
(800) 787-1871 Emaillindac@onlinevacationcenter.com Website http://www.onlinevacationcenter.com/solo...

Nana G's Waffles and Chicken at Atlanta Food Truck park

Visit the Atlanta Food Truck Park 
and try something NEW

My first visit to the Atlanta Food Truck Park reminded me of a summer carnival with brightly colored vendors selling an assortment of food that makes your mouth smile.

Food Trucks have taken the idea of street food to a new level.

And a re a perfect solution for solo travelers in any city you visit.

The Atlanta Food Truck ParkThe variety of food offered was wide with brightly painted truck graphics attempting to describe everything offered:  

Mighty Meatballs, Food in a Hurry, Nana G’s Chicken and Waffles, Mexican, Indian and more.The overpowering impact of so much variety requires a second and third visit to sample more of what is offered.

On this visit I wanted to meet the owners and sample Nana G’s Chicken and Waffles.    Nana G’s is already a well know favorite in the Atlanta market so it is time I found out why.

Nana G's grandsons, Guy and Drew share her recipes with  many hungry followers

http://www.nanagchik-n-waffles.com/

Waffles are my favorite.  I stop at diners on the route from Atlanta to New Jersey and the older the diner the better!

Dangerous to Stay at Home more than 6 weeks

I try to travel for my blogs as often and as long as 
my budget will allow.

But I discovered it is dangerous for me to stay at the home base longer than 6 weeks.

Why?
The first two weeks are clean up and clear up the house, the yard and the billing errors.
Next I start to write from day one of the adventure until the return, approximately day 30+- so that I do not forget or miss an event that was noteworthy when it occured.

At about the 6th week my NEED to be back on the road, my DISPLEASURE with being trapped in a city I do not find interesting and my FEAR that I will not find enough time to do what I truly want to do, start to fade and the danger starts.

The danger of starting to cocoon in a familiar place
The danger of never leaving the house except for errands or necessity
The danger of beginning  to think " I can wait to take that trip"  or  "I really don't need to go there".

It is far easier to stay here and do nothing than to go solo to towns/cities/countries where every day is work...... Travel adventures are not vacations.  On vacation you go/sit/see in a location.
On a travel adventure solo, you must plan, execute, search, solve problems EVERYDAY, all day.

There is a constant energy generated by travel not as a tourist.  It feeds the next event, the next day's plan, the next challenge or experience.

How long do you stay at 'home' before you take your next travel adventure?

NO SOLO SUPPLEMENTS: Sacramento Bee, writes: Overseas Adventure Travel offers

Are Travel Companies Listening to the Requests of Solo Travelers?
The Sacramento Bee,  http://www.sacbee.com , has a great article today…….
“Overseas Adventure Travel launches 7 new small group adventures to meet baby boomer demand

By Overseas Adventure Travel
Published: Monday, Jul. 29, 2013 - 4:36 am
BOSTON, July 29, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The most traveled generation in history continues to fuel demand for adventure travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations filled with up-close, interactive experiences, prompting Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) to launch seven new small group itineraries in Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Central and Eastern Europe, the company's CEO Vince Cook announced today.

"As more Americans turn 50, OAT is experiencing significant growth, especially among women, who now comprise 70% of our travelers, and solo travelers, who represent 35% of all bookings," Cook said, "With that growth, we're finding more of our travelers have 'been there, done that' and are pushing us to add specific, less-traveled destinations. In response, we have created seven new adventures that take travelers to places like Bali's enchanting islands, Central Europe's medieval cities, and southern Africa's captivating game reserves. Each new adventure will provide our travelers with the kind of intimate, compelling, and unique experiences of a country and its people that they have come to expect from OAT."

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 94 million Americans are over the age of 50 and more than 12,500 Americans turn 50 every day. In the past three years (2011-2013), more than 116,000Americans aged 50+ have traveled overseas with OAT, with more than a third traveling solo.
To make travel more affordable for this increasing number of OAT solo travelers—80% of whom are women—OAT offers Free Single Supplements on all of its adventures, including all optional pre- and post-trip extensions. In addition, OAT's Solo Traveler Challenge guarantees the best solo price for a comparable international adventure. Plus, OAT's Lowest Price Guarantee ensures travelers will receive OAT's lowest price, automatically refunding the difference of the main trip price if OAT reduces the price—up until the day of departure.

The addition of these seven new small group adventures brings the total number of OAT's Land and Small Ship Adventures to 42, with destinations in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and the South Pacific. OAT limits its Land Adventures groups to just 10-16 travelers, and its Small Ship Adventures to 16-25.

Are solo travelers less desirable to the travel industry?

  Solo travel by air......might be one of the solo friendly modes of transportation...

As I started today's post on Does the Travel Industry Hate Solo Travelers, I began to think of what travel services are solo friendly.

1.  Airlines:  although I do not enjoy the procedure and process of flying, arriving 3 hrs early, checking in with a machine, wearing my heaviest clothing so I meet the one bag weight rule, security check in..... I don't need to elaborate, you have all been there.... the dreaded middle seat, hot plane, smelly carry on food, delays, we can all add to this list

With all their faults and costs, the airlines do NOT charge me more for traveling SOLO

2.  Trains:  I am not charged more for a train trip in Europe.  Yes there are promotions for what I call the ark people, those traveling in two's or families but overall I feel I am paying the same as other travelers.  Here in the USA, does AMTRAK charge solo passengers more?  I was told by an AMTRAK traveler that you pay for a ticket and can purchase a roomette for an additional cost but she is NOT charged more for using the roomette solo.

3.  Rental Cars, Ferry Trips, Bus Tickets:  these are all priced per person.  There may be discounts for the groups listed in #2.

4.  Two for One Advertising:  Next to the cruise lines this is one advertisement I receive several times a week that continues to infuriate me.    The offer is often for package tours and cruises.*  

5.  Cruises:  Perhaps the most offensive treatment for this solo traveler is the 200% solo supplement.   Paying twice as much as other passengers must aggravate other solo travelers as well.   On a recent trip several passengers expression dissatisfaction with the 'value for the price' they received as solo travelers. 
*Cruises also offer 2 for 1 pricing but will not allow a solo client to pay the advertised price unless they bring another passenger.

VacationstoGo.com has a list of 'single' cruises (not hosted single cruises) on their web site.   Often there are several very well priced sailing.   "Or you can call for the solo price on any cruise listed", according to the CEO, Mr. Fox.  I suggested to Mr Fox that changing the title to solo vs single cruises would be more appropriate.   Solo is NOT always single.

Several of the cruise travel agents have started to post solo prices or solo promotions.   Cunard has offered 'no solo supplements' and the river cruises had a special recently.  

I have been forced to check weekly for prices that may have been reduced to level, where double the price might be affordable.  Example:  if the per day price is offered at $100 a day than the cruise will be $200 for a solo.....if the itinerary is one I am interested in and the ship has amenities I want (enrichment classes) than I will consider paying a 200% solo supplement.

6. Restaurants:   Casual restaurants or diners (in the USA) seat solo clients with the only concern to leave a 4 or 6 seat table available for larger groups.  Invariable I receive the same question when I enter or sit, are you alone? 
On further reflection I expect the wait staff is not happy with a solo traveler......table used for the same length of time with 1/2 the return.

7. Hotels:   Until I heard a comment from Arthur Frommer on his Sunday radio program http://bit.ly/SjF7hx   I had not thought of hotels as having a separate policy for solo travelers. 
Pricing:   I checked Booking.com for prices for solo vs double rooms in a two cities.  Booking.com:  Rome on a Booking.com sample listed solo rooms at $10 to $20 less than a room for two.   In Philadelphia the hotel room prices do not change for one traveler!  Mr. Frommer is correct, hotel rooms are not solo friendly!
I will be doing more research on this.

8. Travel Agents:   If you know of any travel agent who wants to work with solo travelers, please let me know.   I understand commission sales (after 22 years) and working with one client limits your income.    
Apparently solo fares on cruises and package tours must be priced with the supplier, by the travel agent.   There seems to be NO central computer program that will supply a list of fares for a solo travelers on cruises.   I search 100 or more sailings a week, looking for a fare that is 'affordable', once I double the advertised price.

Travel agents must not be willing to take the time to do this amount of work.  They will email me or call me if they see something affordable that comes across their desks.  Often I know about a sale before they do.
  
Are solo travelers more work for a hotel?  For a cruise line? For a tour group?   Let's address that next.

Vacations to Go no Solo Supplement River cruises

   I just received an email Vacations to Go along with I expect hundreds of thousands of other subscribers.   But did you see the sections on solo River Cruises?

 In the email there were several links to low or no single supplement crusies. This is the list of River Cruises.

 Disclaimer:  I do not sell or promote ANY travel companies, just report what I see on line.


http://www.rivercruise.com/singles.cfm

Contact Vacations to Go directly to verify all the information and availability…..



  A Division of Vacations To Go River Cruise Specialists
800-510-4002  

Discounted River Cruises?

Pay reduced or no single supplements on select departures when you book by August 15, 2013. Click on the FASTDEAL# at left for more information about any vacation. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in US dollars.   Click # For  More Info


European River Cruises
800-510-4002

#T171373  13Oct 28
Amsterdam, Holland   Zurich, Switzerland
The Enchanting Rhine 2013 (Amsterdam to Zurich)
Ama     Deluxe    $3,589   #T171394

8 Oct 29  Amsterdam, Holland
Basel, Switzerland
The Enchanting Rhine 2013 (Amsterdam to Basel, Cruise-Only)
Ama   Deluxe  $2,549
Sold Out!

#T77329 13 Oct 31
Zurich, Switzerland Amsterdam, Holland
The Enchanting Rhine 2013 (Zurich to Amsterdam)
Ama   Deluxe $3,389
Book Now & Save!

 #T116871  8  Nov 5
Basel, Switzerland   Amsterdam, Holland
The Enchanting Rhine 2013 (Basel to Amsterdam, Cruise-Only)
Ama Deluxe $2,349
Book Now& Save!

#T41107  12   Nov 8
Budapest, Hungary
Prague, Czech Republic
Great Capitals & Vintages of the Danube 2013 (Wine Cruise, Budapest to Prague)
Ama    Deluxe   $3,039
Book Now  & Save!

 #T42239   8  Nov 9
Budapest, Hungary
Vilshofen, Germany
Great Capitals & Vintages of the Danube 2013 (Wine Cruise, Budapest to Vilshofen, Cruise-Only)
Ama  Deluxe
$2,349   Book Now& Save!

MANY MORE on this list and on their web site!    There is a Single Section too,  for solo travelers.

Food Trucks: Solo Travelers need no reservation

Everyone was warm and friendly

Food Trucks, can they solve the solo traveler’s challenge of eating alone……

Nana G's chicken and waffles is already 'famous'

  Not all solo travelers freeze when entering a restaurant. 

            Some solo travelers do not think twice before entering a bar where no one ‘knows your name’

As a shy, solo traveler, eating out can still send a wave of dread through me.  


Food Trucks, an upscale version of street food,  allows a solo traveler to mingle, sample local fare and NEVER worry that they don't have a companion to eat with.
     


Now I have discovered FOOD TRUCKS


Food Trucks are not new.    Hot dog and pretzel carts even the traveling ice cream truck are part of many small towns and cities.  

 

The Food Trucks in Atlanta now offer gourmet foods, ethnic treats, comfort foods, unusual ice pop flavors, cupcakes, candy from New Orleans, meatballs:   a wonderful assortment that makes a selection difficult.

		The gathering of the trucks at the Howell Mill Food Park in Atlanta, GA

The festival atmosphere of the Food Park encourages browsing and sampling many different foods.  Music plays from many of the colorful trucks.   Amazing how full meals can be produced from a metal box on wheels.....

   ‘Pop-up’ truck locations, posted on social media, allows followers know where to find their favorite food.    Atlanta also has a FOOD PARK.   Just off the main highway this gathering of a variety of different foods is a smorgasbord of international and local comfort foods.



When you don’t know what you want for lunch or diner, the food park allows you to stroll among the trucks until you find the perfect meal.  Or you may have your favorite that you follow all over the city.

 In the next few weeks I will sample a variety of foods from the local trucks.   I have already tried waffles with  'infused bacon' at Nana G's, praline covered pretzels at Cjay's  (my diet has been destroyed)   and will return to sweet Georgia Brown's FIAH (Food in a Hurry) truck.  

The food may the 'return factor' but the personalities of each truck owner is far more enticing.
Watch for future profiles of who is behind a favorite food truck...

   

Solo Fares I Find Affordable!

12 days at sea approximately $1900+  could be affordable......
call  Linda with the Solo Travelers Club .......


Message from Linda Carella
Solo Specialist  With Online Vacation Center's 
New Solo Department





800-787-1871
contact info below







“Celebrity, sailing September 30, 2013

12 night itinerary with a base price of $1858 *plus $95.55 for an inside single occupancy cabin.
It includes a drink package that covers all alcohol, wine, gourmet coffees, 1 night alternative dining, cocktail party and 2 shore excursions. 
For $400 less, you can have the same cabin without any of the amenities.”
* fares change so check with Linda....

Mon 30 Sep 2013	Harwich, England		05:00 PM	Boarding
Tue 01 Oct 2013	Paris (Le Havre), France	07:00 AM		Docked
Wed 02 Oct 2013	Paris (Le Havre), France		09:00 PM	Docked
Thu 03 Oct 2013	At Sea
Fri 04 Oct 2013	La Rochelle, France	08:00 AM		Docked
Sat 05 Oct 2013	La Rochelle, France		06:00 PM	Docked
Sun 06 Oct 2013	Bilbao, Spain	07:00 AM		Docked
Mon 07 Oct 2013	Bilbao, Spain		01:00 PM	Docked
Tue 08 Oct 2013	Vigo, Spain	12:00 PM	08:00 PM	Docked
Wed 09 Oct 2013	Porto (Leixoes), Portugal	07:00 AM	06:00 PM	Docked
Thu 10 Oct 2013	At Sea
Fri 11 Oct 2013	At Sea
Sat 12 Oct 2013	Harwich, England	04:00 AM		Departure

Call Linda at Online Vacation Center for details, prices and with questions.
Linda Carella
Personal Vacation Manager
Online Vacation Center
1801 N.W. 66th  Avenue  Suite 102
Plantation, FL 33313
Toll Free: 800-780-9002 Ext 6438
Monday – Friday 10 AM – 4 PM
mailto:lindac@onlinevacationcenter.com

Solo Travelers on River Cruises: Have you tried this?

from $1,799* 15 $119 from $2,998* cruise only days per day with int'l airfare† Email-only savings for single travelers on Oct 14, Oct 28 & Nov 11, 2013 departures!

Here’s a super-singles offer for you if you’re even thinking about traveling solo on a Vantage river cruise: Reserve any available stateroom in Categories A1 through E1 on the Oct 14, Oct 28, or Nov 11 2013 departure of Majestic Rivers of Europe: Castles, Cathedrals & Fairytales and your Single Supplement is FREE. That means you’ll pay the same price as someone traveling double occupancy on this beautiful fall river cruise, but you’ll have a roomy stateroom all to yourself at no extra charge — a savings of up to $5,400, depending upon the category you choose. (Sorry, this offer is not available for our Deluxe Suites.) Promo code: EM40420 To take advantage of this email-only offer, call  1-800-322-6677 today. Be sure to use your Email-only Offer Code: EM40420 to obtain your savings. 2013 Majestic Rivers of Europe: Castles, Cathedrals & Fairytales Email-only offer: FREE Single Supplement on Oct 14, Oct 28, and Nov 11 2013 departures in categories A1-E1 — savings of up to $5,400 Fall river cruising for 15 days aboard the Deluxe ms River Splendor or ms River Navigator, from only $119 per day Visit Austria, Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, with two full days in Vienna

Solo travel on Holland American: part 2

Solo Travel by Sea:  Value vs Price


Solo travel on a ship offers challenges, opportunities and many pleasant events.
After taking 3 other cruise lines in the past few years Holland American excelled in several areas:


Crew attitude and personality


It took me two days before I realized that ALL of the staff in the formal dining room was male.   No women.  Although the comments from the assistant manager were rather negative, HA found that an all male crew could manage the heavy trays that are often required to serve a table of 6 or 8.   (women crew members did work in the specialty restaurants)

		Happy Faces VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

All of these positions are filled with crew from the same country.    Therefore there would be no language problems in this very demanding.

What astounded me was almost ALL of the staff was pleasant, smiled and asked how you were.   I know, this is their job, but many of the staff were actually interested!  Life off the sea is NEVER like this…..when was the last time someone genuinely smiled at you and meant it?

I think I became a ‘mission’ for the dining room staff.   I did not ‘bond’ with many of the other solo travelers who preferred to sit at their assigned tables  so I requested a table for 2 in a non conspicuous locations.  And if you eat at the end of the last seating there are not many other passengers still in the dining room who continue to look, stare and wonder why I am having such a GOOD TIME?

Except for one incident I was accommodated and was NOT made to feel ‘unusual’.

I worry though, do solo travelers expect staff and other workers to  “be their friends’ while cruising?      I shall have to be very careful on the next outing.