Single supplements are sometimes being waived.

The price for that dream vacation is only $299.00 double (2 people paying 7 sharing the room) but the single supplement increases it by extra $200.00. Your affordable getaway has increased by 50 % or more because you do not have a traveling companion or have elected to travel solo. You either bite the bullet and pay it or put it off until later.

The single supplement is the additional fee tacked on by cruise lines and tour operators when there’s only one occupant in their cabin or hotel room. This has haunted solo travelers for years but some progressive companies are starting to waive this extra fee.

Alerted to an increased trend in unaccompanied travel and recognizing the growth potential in this market segment some companies are either substantially reducing or dropping the single supplement all together.

Globus Vacations for example has waived their single supplement fees on 11 up coming off season 2008-2009 European vacations. Another tour operator Tauck World Discovery has also reduced many single traveler fees for their cruises and tours too.

Carnival Cruise Lines frequently offers a stateroom with bunk beds and no window (inside cabin) without the traditional 50% single traveler fee. Carnival also has a tariff reduction for what I term a “night owl” cabin- a cabin that shares common walls with the ship discothèque. Can you party until the wee hours of the morning?

The rest of the travel industry will keep a keen watch on these initiatives and if Globus, Tauck and Carnival are successful I am sure we will see a mass movement towards dropping or reducing single supplement fees. After all the travel industry loves to play follow the leader then line their product line behind them.

Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.