solo cruising
If you’re thinking of travelling solo, you’re certainly not alone. If the pandemic taught us anything, it was how to enjoy our own company—and, ever since, more and more people are gaining the confidence to travel independently.
We asked Canadian travellers about their travel habits last fall, and a whopping 26% of you said you always or frequently favour solo trips. Another 36% are open to doing so in the future. Why? Being able to explore at your own pace, treat yourself whenever you want, and meet new people all ranked highly. What was once seen as unusual is now not just normal: it's aspirational. Travelzoo has created Solo September to celebrate our independent travellers, highlighting insider tips, inspiring stories, and the solo-friendly companies you should know about. We hope it’ll give you the confidence boost you need to finally book that dream trip.
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Exactly what you want
You don't need to be single to choose a solo trip. Perhaps you love to spend days exploring old churches but the rest of the family would be bored; or you've always dreamed of going to Vietnam but your partner avoids the region due to food allergies. Whatever the reason, planning your own trip lets you control every aspect for the journey of your dreams.
Still, it's definitely worth taking your solo status into account when you're choosing where to spend the night. For lower costs, seek out hotel chains with dedicated single rooms, like Ibis and Pod. You can also look for vacation rentals, but do plenty of research to make sure you're comfortable with the location and logistics.
Once you're there, you don't have to spend every minute alone. There's a tour or activity out there to suit almost any interest, and you'll meet like-minded people as well. Food tours are always a good choice; you'll get to taste way more dishes than you'd be able to try if you were just ordering for yourself.
Escorted tours for solos
It may sound paradoxical to join a group when travelling solo, but depending on your travel experience, comfort level and destination, a tour can be an excellent option. You can sit back while experts deal with headaches like flights, transfers and finding well-reviewed hotel accommodations. You'll be sure to visit a destination's must-see sights, and exploring with a local guide means you'll get the background info you might miss by wandering with Google Maps. On most escorted tours you’ll have lots of time to explore the main attractions with the wider group, but also plenty of space to pursue your own interests.
But the biggest advantage is the security provided by the group. Not only will you have a tour leader and company to rely upon, you’ll also have the safety of a group when sightseeing or on the road. Plus, you’ll have built-in travel companions to hang out with when you want company.
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Your solo stateroom awaits
Most major cruise lines have programs for people travelling on their own, and some have solo staterooms especially for single cruisers.
If you’ve got your heart set on an itinerary or ship that doesn’t feature single rooms, look for a sale that reduces or eliminates solo supplements.
Many cruises offer hosted events and meals for solo travellers, plus you can ask to be seated at a shared dining table for solo travellers. Some lines even employ dance hosts, so you'll always have a partner for ballroom dancing nights.
Even if there's no solo table, choosing a fixed seating option will allow you to get to know the people you sit with every night. There will always be plenty to talk about after a day of exploring the ship or the port!
A voyage of self-discovery
Even if you'd never normally classify yourself as a "cruiser," cruising can be one of the best starting points for solo travellers. Since there's a little bit of everything on offer, the experience can really help you to figure out which parts of solo travel you enjoy most—with no pressure to stick at anything for more than a few hours.
Wander round the ports at your own pace, or perhaps see if you'd enjoy a more structured group tour. (The organized excursions are a good way to get to know your fellow travellers.) Spend some time chilling by the pool, or try giving a fitness or cooking class a go.
With a huge variety of destinations, lots of different types of activities, and a familiar space to return to every evening, cruises let you figure out what excites you the most. And rest assured, you won't be the only solo traveller on the boat!
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Getting the best deals
The dream, of course, is a group tour with no single supplements, a rarity on regular tours designed for two people sharing.
Some Canadian companies, like Indus, have a limited number of supplement-free solo opportunities on multiple trips.
Other tour companies offer a solo-friendly option that will match you with a same-gender traveller to share a room. Many cruise lines have similar programs, meaning you both pay the lower double-occupancy rate.
If all you want to do is relax on a beach with a good book and an all-inclusive package, most sun vacation companies have dedicated solo packages. They tend to have higher prices, though, so keep an eye out for sales.
A global travel trend
Industry data reveals that solo travel is skyrocketing. According to Hilton's annual trends report, 34% of people are eager to embark on a solo holiday by the end of the year. The figure is even higher among Millennials and Gen Z—in a survey by American Express, a whopping 76% said they'd planned an independent trip in the past 12 months.
This is great news for savvy travellers, as solo travel deals are now more accessible than ever. Companies are also racing to keep up with the market, and are putting out some really enticing offers as a result. Normally, solo travellers need to pay extra to stay in a room designed for two people—but, nowadays, there are plenty of ways to secure a holiday with no single supplement. More and more companies are also catering exclusively to solo travellers. You can find specialists for beach holidays, adventurous tours, and everything in between.
Chloe Quinn planned a romantic birthday getaway with her partner, but things didn't work out as she'd hoped. The relationship ended soon after the tickets were booked, but her friends talked her into taking the trip to Bergamo and Lake Como alone.
"The first evening was the hardest. I bought takeaway food and hid in my room, convincing myself it was "cosy," when in reality, I was too nervous to eat alone in public. By the second day, I was tired of hiding from myself. I picked a quiet trattoria overlooking the lake, ordered pasta and a glass of wine, and sat there—phone down, journal open. I realized no one was staring. No one cared that I was alone. And even if they did, why should I?"
"By the last night, I sat at a candlelit table, ordered my favourite meal, and sipped prosecco without a hint of discomfort. Instead, I felt euphoric. Travelling solo helped me to rediscover myself."
Sunshine and sangria in Spain
Jess Scott headed off on a spontaneous solo adventure around Andalucía, covering Grenada, Seville, and Córdoba. She didn't give herself a strict itinerary: she just wanted to eat, drink, and explore. Here's how she organised things on the fly.
"Google reviews were my best friend when I was solo exploring. At the start of each day, I would find a highly-rated café to go to and plan my day from there. Chat GPT also helpfully provided me with an instant itinerary if I wanted one!"
"I chose to stay in female dorms in hostels so I was guaranteed to have some kind of human interaction each day. I also booked a tour on my first day in each city, which really helped me get my bearings. In Seville, I did a food tour with a super fun group. We visited some tiny local tapas bars together, and that gave me more confidence to get off the beaten path."
© Chloe Quinn
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