Some countries are much easier to visit when all the arrangements, visas, translations and plans are done by someone else. A 2 week overview of the Baltic countries gave me a sample of most of the region. I could plan to return for a deeper look at a future time.
I have NEVER taken a tour. I use ships every year to avoid a crippling 10+ hour captivity in a plane seat that is shrinking every year.
Russia requires a Visa. You can obtain one for yourself and use any of the local tour operators or allow the cruise line to issue a temporary visa for you ONLY if you take the cruise line sponsored tours.
Only taking one tour while in Russia I was able to see this amazing church. After an hour long canal boat ride and an ENDLESS visit to a gift shop we had a mere 10 minutes in this amazing building. The crowds were massive.
Our guide knew a great deal about the building but it was impossible to hear her.
I have NEVER taken a tour. I use ships every year to avoid a crippling 10+ hour captivity in a plane seat that is shrinking every year.
A suggestion to Holland America is to correct the time distribution for their tours. They did not add more tours for the open bus and free time walking for passengers (sold out) and told me they were 'not allowed'. Possibly true since Russian has endless restrictions. I was only there a day but it was not a cheery place. Perhaps the grey skies contribute to the overall malaise.
John Lang just shared this overview of solo travel with me. He has been my advocate for months to find affordable non stop sea travel…. I will be commenting on the opinions stated here. Unless the cruise lines changed pricing and policy since last year, several of the mentioned options were less than great deals.
For years, most cruise lines have treated single passengers like pariahs, subjecting them to exorbitant extra occupancy supplements, and often pigeon holing them into the least desirable areas of real estate on board ship. But, at last, it looks like things are starting to slowly change…..
Recently, P&O’s Ventura emerged from a dry dock that shoe horned some eighteen inside cabins into the ship, bringing her neatly up to scratch with her sister ship, Azura. Not so long ago, the veteran Oriana had a small number of single cabins added, in a similar refit.
While the number of single passengers has been steadily growing, the mainstream lines traditionally reacted by simply hiking up their single supplements. To the great surprise of nobody with a surplus of brain cells, these would be travellers simply voted wit their feet.
The real game changer came in 2010, when the heavily revamped Norwegian Epic finally arrived on the scene. Chief among the ship’s controversial raft of new features was an entire complex of tiny, inside solo rooms- or studios as the company calls them. Fitted out with funky lighting and their own, dedicated lounge, this studio complex was a huge hit from the start.
Many in the industry were taken aback to find just how well these small rooms- around a hundred square feet each- actually sold. Demand was such that a similar, smaller complex was installed in the brand new Norwegian Breakaway. The 2014 debut of sister ship, Norwegian Getaway will also showcase a similar complex, bringing affordable single living spaces to the Miami run for the first time ever.
Norwegian have also just installed some studio cabins into the refurbished Pride Of America, though whether the trend will be across the rest of the fleet is unclear. However, what is clear is that the success of the concept has caught on with the opposition.
Next year, Royal Caribbean will debut the much anticipated Quantum Of TheSeas. For the first time, Royal will incorporate single cabins into the design. But the company is going one further; for the first time, a mega ship will showcase single cabins with balconies. A wonderful idea, but not quite as original as it in fact seems.
Long the preferred UK carrier of older, single passengers, Fred. Olsen retrofitted most of their ships with at least a clutch of single balcony cabins a few years back. Almost uniquely, the line has always offered a decent number of single cabins on most cruises, albeit mostly insides.
Next year, the line will go one better, with a series of cruises where twin cabins can be booked at no single supplement. In the main, these tend to be on longer cruises, but there are some astonishing bargains to be had.
Rival company. Cruise and Maritime aslo offers some dedicated single cabins, but the supplements for these come in at around a hundred per cent in any event. A rethink here might yield more positive passenger numbers.
Kudos should also go to Costa, who pegged single supplements at a pretty reasonable thirty per cent a few years back. In a similar vein. MSC have also offered- and continue to offer- some excellent single bargains for those travelling solo.
Typically, the solo supplement for a double cabin is around fifty per cent for insides, graduating to a full hundred per cent for the best suites. No one could realistically complain about the latter, in all fairness. But single supplements on some lines are still way too high.
Worst offender is, unquestionably, Cunard. They ask an eye watering seventy five per cent extra, even for inside cabins. This is both bad publicity for the line and, ultimately counter productive when the opposition charges a lot less. Why pay that much extra for what is, effectively, a three class ship, when you can pay a lot less for more egalitarian lines such as Celebrity? It makes no sense to me.
It’s doubly ironic still, when you consider that the veteran QE2 had a number of small single cabins. In the current financial climate, my guess is that the single supplement as it is, is ultimately unsustainable, and will probably go the way of the old dress codes.
Of course, the true solution is to follow those lines now building, or retrofitting their ships with single cabins. They take up little enough space, respond positively to an obviously growing market, and more or less guarantee a solid, constant revenue stream. Accountants need to listen more to passengers, and liaise better with designers.
The end result would, I’m sure, work for pretty much everybody. Update:
Since this post was first written, Cunard has installed a small group of eight, inside and outside cabins aboard the Queen Elizabeth. It’s a small start, but
Why I want to go on an
eight-day Emerald Waterways river cruise through Europe
I can’t think of any reason why not?
leelaurino@earthlink.net
Dreaming of a European river cruise, who doesn’t first think
of the Danube river? And on the Danube Delights (DD) itinerary, this water highway passes towns and cities
older than any in the USA. For
inspiration I am listening to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CTYymbbEL4&feature=kp,
The Blue Danube Waltz by Stauress.
An opportunity to
sail on the rivers of Europe has been my dream for years. Sailing on all the routes offered would
still
nly scratch the surface of this iconic part of ‘old world’ Europe.
Many of the stopswill
be new to me, but I travel without a list of must see monument, statues, works of art and no preconceptions.
This adventure will not be what
did I see but instead, what new experiences
and people will remain in my memory after this adventure.
Bratislava
Each town will be a surprise that I can discover, much like
a Russian matryoshka doll. I hope to experience for the short
time I am ashore, some part of life in the towns and cities we visit. I travel blog full time and every trip is
an adventure of new people, new
places and lots of history to be written about every night back on the ship.
I always travel with a theme
andMy Emerald Waterways theme
for this adventure is:
Cake,Castles, and
Crafts
·At each stop I hope to visit the oldest bakery
to sample the best they have to offer.
Hard work but I am ready for the challenge. Cities
and regions all have their signature sweets.
And everyone is happy when they are eating cake! A few
of the establishments and treats that await me:
Melk Abby
restaurant’s Koloman cake
Ruszurm Pastry Shop
in Budapest, 173 years old and still
makes the Ruszwurm cream filled pastry!
Kaffe Mayer in Bratislava (1878) an online post told me
to try Krenovy rez
sacher torte from the Hotel
Sacher in Vienna
In Nuremberga search of Lebkuchen (gingerbread) whose
origin dates back to the 1400’s…
I am
gaining weight just researching bakeries for the other stops! So it is a relief to know there are walking tours planned
that shall help me burn those extra calories.
DD offers more walking tours that allow travelers to
see life on the same level as the locals
I don’t think you see a country
or a town from a bus or train window the same way as when you walk the street,
smell the fresh bread baking, chat with a local sitting on a bench in the sun
or watch the children playing in the park.
Vienna Austria
·
Castles: no need to plan or search for these since
CPDD has included many on the daily tours and others shall be easy to find, as
well as abbeys and palaces. Any opportunity to visit some of the 900+
UNESCO World Heritage sites is an added bonus and during this 8 day adventure
there are several to be explored..
Market in Budapest
·Crafts: A cleaver term to disguise shopping. Local markets in each city and small shops
owned by locals afford an easy introduction to some of the people who live in
each location. Searching for hand crafted items to remember an
incredible trip or a walk through the daily food market is an excellent way to
meet and chat and learn about life in that town. Often you just need to say jo napot, guten morgen, pozdravi or just hello.
·If I travel during Ball Week, I dream of attending one of the many Waltz Balls in Vienna. Dancing the Viennese waltz in Vienna, what
can top that? I can hear the music now.
Luxury treatment for 8 days, cake at every town, shopping
and the best castles and palaces……what else could I ask for? The
luxury of first class treatment, meals prepared, entertainment daily and even
informative lectures shall make it difficult to venture OFF the ship!
If you see me
lingering over a cappuccino on the deck one morning, shout out and encourage me
to ‘get out there!’
Solo cruisers looking to enjoy the comfort and privacy of their own stateroom without the added singlesupplement can now book staterooms or suites on the French-flagged cruise lineCompagnie du Ponant.
The expedition line offers close to 30 cruises aboard the line’s three 132-stateroom sister ships, Le Soleal, Le Boreal and L’Austral, with free single supplement.
Staterooms on all three ships are double occupancy or larger, all have ocean views and most have a private balcony. Compagnie du Ponant’s all-inclusive pricing includes all meals, open bar, gratuities, port charges, taxes and fees. Select itineraries also include round-trip air.
Compagnie du Ponant’sfree singles supplement cruisesare available for booking throughout the season, with new itineraries added annually.
Founded in 1988 by Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée and a dozen merchant navy officers Compagnie du Ponant has four ships flying the French flag that are able to sail in waters inaccessible to larger ships. Le Boréal, L’Austral and Le Soléal each have 132-staterooms and suites and Le Ponant, 32 staterooms. Its fifth luxury yacht, Le Lyrial, begins sailing in spring 2015.
I have been traveling solo to English speaking countries for more than 30 years and the last 10 I have tried to travel and live in Italy with only a basic ability to speak Italian.
Now that i have an opportunity to travel more and perhaps become a true expat, why don't I sell my house and travel?
Today i occurred to me I may be afraid! I have never thought of this before.
Afraid of not having a home base to return to.
Afraid once I take this step (selling everything I own) I will not have any other excuses NOT to travel.
Afraid of this REALLY being a solo trip.
Currently undergoing her first major overhaul in Hamburg since her delivery back in 2010, Cunard cruise ship, Queen Elizabeth,is being fitted with nine new, single cabins.
Though the dimensions and prices for these have not yet been put in the public arena, this represents a very welcome move by the company. While the veteran Queen Elizabeth 2 had a fair number of single cabins, none of her three successors- Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth- originally featured any at all.
Needless to say, many people- including yours truly- will hope that both of the other, above mentioned ships will also be retrofitted with some single cabins. Though nothing has been said on the subject, it does seem likely.
In doing this, Cunard is following the example set by sister company P & O Cruises, which incorporated a small number of single cabins into the then new Azura, and then retrofitted a number into both her sister ship, Ventura, and the adults only Oriana.
As well as the single cabins, Queen Elizabeth will also benefit from the installation of 32 inch flat screen televisions in all cabins, the addition of two new, luxury shops, and enhancements to the passenger flow in the self service part of the Lido Restaurant.
The single cabins bandwagon is slowly gathering speed across the mega ship market. Even Royal Caribbean International has been busy retro fitting some of its ships with them. But the slow surge in single cabins can actually be traced back to 2010, and the debut of the Norwegian Epic.
Then, the brand new ‘studio concept’ was introduced, with a block of 128 small, clubby interior cabins done up with funky lighting, as well as a communal bar and lounge. This was so successful that it has now been rolled out on both the newNorwegian new builds that followed, and will also feature on the next two ships, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss.
None the less, it is hugely gratifying to see Cunard at last tipping it’s head in the direction of the single traveller who, in the past, was put off by the 175 per cent surcharge levied by the line on most of its sailings. It does provide another option for travellers seeking a somewhat more formal ocean going experience than that offered by the opposition.
That said, the dimensions, locations and status of these cabins- are they insides, outsides or both?- plus the per diem rates- remain to be seen. But at least it can be said that Cunard is listening, learning, and adapting to demand, and that is always to be applauded.
As ever, stay tuned.
Update: it seems that eight of the new cabins will be outside with an ocean view, and the ninth will be a standard inside.
Then, the brand new ‘studio concept’ was introduced, with a block of 128 small, clubby interior cabins done up with funky lighting, as well as a communal bar and lounge. This was so successful that it has now been rolled out on both the newNorwegian new builds that followed, and will also feature on the next two ships, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss.
None the less, it is hugely gratifying to see Cunard at last tipping it’s head in the direction of the single traveller who, in the past, was put off by the 175 per cent surcharge levied by the line on most of its sailings. It does provide another option for travellers seeking a somewhat more formal ocean going experience than that offered by the opposition.
That said, the dimensions, locations and status of these cabins- are they insides, outsides or both?- plus the per diem rates- remain to be seen. But at least it can be said that Cunard is listening, learning, and adapting to demand, and that is always to be applauded.
As ever, stay tuned.
Update: it seems that eight of the new cabins will be outside with an ocean view, and the ninth will be a standard inside.
This article from the West Australian started out describing solo travelers an perhaps unwanted if not also inconvenient, but later lists ships that are offering lower solo supplements...............however many of the companies cater to a luxury market.
Arcadia, pictured sailing into Sydney Harbour, has the first new single balcony cabins in the P&O Cruises fleet. Picture: James Morgan
Ships' cabins are decked out for doubles. But the cabin is a haven - your private home at sea, a place to sleep and relax. And if you're a single traveller, it might not work for you to share with an unfamiliar person. In most cases, cruising alone in a double cabin will see you pay a hefty single supplement. This is imposed to try to make up lost revenue, or "spoilage" as it's called in cruising - an empty bed means one less fare and lost income from drink and food sales, the casino and shore excursions.
But more of us are travelling alone, particularly older travellers, many of whom enjoy cruising. And some cruise companies are slowly making changes in an attempt to accommodate the single traveller.
When Cunard launched Queen Elizabeth in 2010 with nine single staterooms, it became the first vessel in the fleet to offer these since QE2 was retired in 2008. Cunard has long attracted solo cruisers with the income to pay the single supplement and the company attempts to cater for those who wish to dine alone or will seat them with other singles. Across the fleet, it employs "gentleman hosts" who will partner women who wish to dance. This is particularly useful on Queen Victoria, which has one of the biggest ballrooms at sea.
To give an indication of how the single supplement increases the price of a cruise, I've compared standard inside cabin fares on a seven-night Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton in July. For two people sharing (twin share) the fare is $1479 per person. But one person cruising alone will have to pay a single supplement of $1110, taking the fare to $2589 - or 168 per cent of a twin-share fare.
Norwegian Cruise Line made waves in 2010 when it launched the 4100-passenger Norwegian Epic, the first ship with single studio cabins. There are 128 of these spread over two decks, and each has a full-size bed and ensuite. Guests also have access to a solo lounge, The Living Room, where they can mix with other singles. These cabins sell out well ahead of each cruise - they are in the region of $1000 for a seven-night cruise - and NCL has added them to its newest ships, including Norwegian Getaway, which was launched in January with 59 solo studios, while Norwegian Escape, due in October next year, will have 82 solo studios.
There was something in the water around the turn of the decade, for P&O Cruises mega-ship Azura also made a splash in 2010 when it launched with 18 solo cabins which have been snapped up well in advance of every cruise since. Fleet-mate Arcadia is a frequent visitor to Australia and arrived here in March fresh from a multimillion-dollar makeover which gave it more restaurants as well as the first new single balcony cabins in the fleet. P&O claims Britannia, due in 2015, will have more purpose-built solo cabins than any other ship. Aurora has 18 solo cabins and, along with Ventura and Oriana, will also have a handful of staterooms regraded as single balcony, inside or outside. In addition, each will have twin cabins available for single travellers with a smaller supplement.
Pearl Seas Cruises will launch Pearl Mist next month. The US-based ship will carry just 210 passengers on itineraries around the Americas and will have 12 solo cabins. Lone passengers can book double cabins and pay between 150-175 per cent of the double- occupancy rate depending on the stateroom class.
Sister company Azamara Club Cruises will arrive in Australia for the first time in 2015 when 694-passenger Azamara Quest sails from Indonesia. The boutique cruise line offers a small single supplement of 125 per cent of a twin-share fare on selected voyages for those who would rather have their own cabin.
Luxury line Silversea doesn't have solo cabins but does run specials that significantly reduce the single supplement, going as low as 125 per cent of a twin-share fare and providing dance partners on longer cruises. The same is true of Crystal Cruises, which often has singles dinners.
Holland America's MS Prinsendam has three solo cabins and the company's Single Partners Program allows solo travellers to share a cabin with another traveller of the same sex or, if one is not available, pay the agreed- upon double occupancy fare. On each ship, there are more than 40 on-board activities geared towards passengers cruising without a partner.
Fred Olsen Cruises principally sails from the UK but sometimes visit Australia on circumnavigations and all of the ships in its fleet have between 40 and 64 solo cabins.
MSC Cruises offers a single supplement of between 50 and 100 per cent of a second fare on selected itineraries from Genoa and Venice.
Those seeking solo fares are much more likely to find them with the help of a travel agent, in person or online; they have access to offers often not quoted on cruise line websites.
The Australian-based Companion Cruising website specialises in cruising deals for the solo passenger, allowing travellers to register details such as age, gender and where and when they would like to visit before attempting to pair them with a suitable match, thereby avoiding single supplements for both. There's also a companion search noticeboard listing travellers looking for a cruising partner and information about which itinerary they're embarking on. And there are details of available cruises with solo cabins and selected itineraries that have no single supplement.
Cruise Express has a dedicated area called Your Solo Zone which lists cruises with reduced single supplements and waivers. A seven-night cruise on Norwegian Epic round trip from Rome throughout June and July is listed from $1171 in a studio cabin. The company also has fully escorted group tours on which singles can get to know each other.
A glance at cruiseabout.com.au shows dozens of solo cruising offers on lines including Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Holland America. One of these is a seven-night Inside Passage cruise departing from Seattle on June 21, 2015, on Ruby Princess, starting from $1739.
One last tip for cruising on the ocean: single supplements tend to drop significantly in the shoulder season when companies offer what are called repositioning cruises - essentially moving the ship to cruise in a different part of the world. These cruises are often outside the school holidays and tend to be longer, making them less attractive to families.
There is space for singles on the rivers, too. In 2014 and 2015, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has waived the single supplement on multiple departure dates on 15 different European itineraries, while there are reduced supplements on other cruises. The 14-day European Serenade along the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers from Vienna to Amsterdam on River Princess and River Duchess departing on July 5 and 18, November 1 and June 25, 2015, is one of these. See the website for specific prices.
Avalon Waterways has a cabin-match program and a single supplement waiver on some 2014 cruises. Examples include a 13-day cruise from Zurich to Amsterdam departing on October 14 and a nine-day Christmastime on the Danube cruise from Vienna to Prague departing on December 3.
Tauck's new Inspiration Class ships Inspire and Savor carry 130 passengers and each has four cabins for solo travellers. And the group has done much to encourage solo travellers with single supplements waived on category one (the smallest class) cabins on all European river cruises this year. There are also savings of up to $1000 on bigger category four and five cabins on selected cruises with single supplement waivers on some 2015 cruises booked through Cruiseabout.
Scenic Cruises has a single balcony stateroom on every ship and regular single supplement waiver specials.
Six AmaWaterways ships cruising in Europe have single-berth cabins and the group, which has chocolate and knitting-themed cruises, announces selected departures with no single supplement about November for the upcoming seasons in Europe and Asia.
APT has single supplement waivers which are usually on sale until December 31 each year.
