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Tours and Cruises for Single Seniors

from: TRL

Experienced single travelers are well aware that they can join practically any tour group or cruise. Single travelers usually have to pay single supplements, which are extra fees to compensate for the empty bed space in their hotel room or stateroom.

"Single-friendly" tour groups and cruise lines offer no-cost or low-cost single supplements, or they provide "guaranteed share" options. Singles who participate in a "guaranteed share" program, agree to be matched with a roommate, nearly always of the same sex and smoking preference. In return, your single supplement is waived. Should your tour operator or cruise line be unable to match you with a roommate, you'll still pay a reduced single supplement, or none at all.

There are many companies and organizations that offer single seniors tours or singles senior travel information. Here are a few you might want to check out:

Connecting Solo Travel Network (CSTN) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization specializing in finding information for single senior travelers. Members receive a useful newsletter and three e-books � Single-Friendly Travel Directory, Going Solo Tales and Going Solo Tips. The website lists single-friendly tour operators, cruises, hotels and more. CSTN is aimed at all ages so you will need to investigate each cruise line and tour operator to ensure that the trip's difficulty level match your preferences.

SoloCruiser links single cruisers of all ages to cruises with low single supplements. SoloCruiser offers several ways for singles to cruise. You can choose an over-55 cruise for mature travelers, a themed cruise or an independent, low-supplement cruise. SoloCruiser's escorted singles cruises include extras such as their "Dine-Around" program, which introduces you to your fellow single travelers by rotating dinner seating. They also hold special parties during the cruise.

Singles Travel International offers trips and cruises for all age ranges. Travel options include special cruises for singles ages 50 and over, but most of Singles Travel International's trips and cruises are open to singles of all ages. You can choose either a room sharing option or higher-cost private room. Some trips take you far from medical assistance. Carefully review the itinerary details before booking a tour.

All Singles Travel, part of Travel Services Worldwide, offers senior singles cruises on an occasional basis. All of All Singles Travel's trips are supplement-free if you book more than 60 days in advance. Even if you have to make reservations within the 60-day window, you can request a roommate to avoid the single supplement.

Languages Abroad offers language-learning programs for mature travelers in Germany, Italy, Spain and France. You'll take classes each morning and explore the local area in the afternoons. You can stay with a local host family or cook your own meals in a small apartment. Hotel accommodations are available at additional cost.

O Solo Mio offers international tours for singles 35 and older. Some trips are combined with non-single tour groups. While O Solo Mio will accept singles of any age, most of their tour participants are in their late 40s and 50s. When older travelers inquire about O Solo Mio's trips, the sales representatives will "explain to them that it will be likely that they will be the oldest person on the trip and if that makes them uncomfortable perhaps they should reconsider traveling with O Solo Mio" as quoted on O Solo Mio's website.

Solo's Holidays offers international trips and activity trips for singles in three different age ranges, 25-45, 30-59 and 45+, as well as tours for singles of all ages. Because this tour operator is based in the UK, trips depart from London and are priced in British pounds. They offer single rooms and private facilities. Most trips do not have a single supplement.

Tauck World Discovery is a luxury tour operator. Tauck offers group tours, riverboat and small ship cruises and rail tours (combined with motorcoach tours or cruises). On some trips, Tauck reduces its single supplement.

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