Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Single Supplement Fees

The travel industry isn’t geared toward solo travelers, especially when it comes to the dreaded single-supplement fee. But the power of solo travelers is growing, and some travel providers are starting to pay attention.

Traditionally, solo cruisers have been hit hard. Cruise lines don’t make money from selling cabins; they depend on onboard spending. So if you want your own cabin, you’re paying for double occupancy.

But then Norwegian Cruise Line came out with its studio cabins, which are only 100 square feet and are priced for one person. They’ve been so popular that NCL is expanding the concept to its new ships, The Breakaway and The Getaway. They’re even retrofitting the Pride of America to include solo cabins.

Other companies often have promotions for solo travelers. Crystal Cruises is dropping its supplement to 10 percent on some sailings. International Expeditions is waiving its fee on every Amazon and Galapagos cruise in 2013.

Abercrombie and Kent is dropping its single-supplement fees on several tours in Africa and China this year.

Last, but not least, there’s the option of finding a roommate. Both Road Scholar and Country Walkers will try to find you a roommate to share the hotel costs. And if they can’t, they’ll waive the supplement fee.

For more information, check out Peter’s 5 Secrets to Successful Solo Travel.

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