Articles
Solo Vacations: The Ultimate in Self Indulgence
by Roy Witman © 2009
According to a July 2009 report by Travelhorizons,
11% of all U.S. adult leisure travelers are vacationing
without a companion. Solo holidays are increasingly
the trend and it's easy to see why. There's no one to
answer, and you can concentrate on enjoying your
holiday to the fullest on your own terms. You've worked
hard at the office and at home. Your vacation is the
time to get away from it all and do your own thing.
Focus On Yourself for a Change
Traveling with a companion can be a lot of fun, but
when you want to visit a museum he has no interest
in, or explore a town she's already visited,
compromise becomes the rule of the day. Leave the
compromising at the office. Now is the time to focus
on you.
Meet new friends on guided tours, immerse
yourself in a foreign culture, or reconnect with your
own independent spirit. And just imagine the stories
you'll share with your friends and family back home.
The Single Penalty
If you've vacationed solo in the past, you might
have encountered what's jokingly referred to as
the “single penalty.” This supplement is actually a
surcharge that is added to your hotel room, resort
stay, or cruise cabin. Until now, if you traveled alone,
it was commonplace for you to pay up to 200% more
than the published price for your trip. Unfair?
Absolutely! That's why one cruise line decided to do
something about it.
New Frontiers for the Single Traveler
For years cruise lines catered to couples and
families seeking all-inclusive vacations. Recently,
however, they have begun courting vacationers who
prefer to travel alone. In fact, Norwegian Cruise Line
has embraced solo travelers with their newest ship,
Epic.
When you tour on Epic, you'll have your choice of
128 staterooms designed especially for single
travelers, and with pricing to match: no supplements.
These unique cabins feature full-size beds with a
separate area for shower, sink and toilet. Many of the
rooms are connected, making them the perfect choice
for friends traveling together, and they all feature
private access to the exclusive Studio Lounge. You
can enjoy a gourmet coffee in the morning, meet up
with fellow solo travelers for an excursion during the
afternoon then enjoy a drink that evening before dinner
in a private area designed just for you.
Of course all the other shipboard amenities are
available as well, including the world-class
entertainment for which Norwegian is known. Head off
to one of the numerous night clubs and hit the dance
floor or take in an electrifying Las Vegas style show.
If you prefer a more physically challenging
vacation, Epic features a 33-foot-high rock climbing
wall and the world's only floating, rappelling wall. After
you work up an appetite, take your pick of 20 on board
dining venues.
You have more choices now than ever before
when traveling solo. Consider cruising for your next
holiday. Sail off to worlds unknown, enrich yourself
with a workshop you've always wanted to take, or try
something wild and adventurous aboard a cruise ship
made with singles in mind.
Read more about Norwegian Cruise Line.
Read more about NCL Freestyle Cruising.
*We can't publicly discount NCL Cruises on our web site. Please call (800.803.7245) for the best price.
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