Why: This well-known British company, now in its fifth generation of ownership by the same family, h

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on May 10, 2011. To see the most recent SmarterTravel articles on related topics, please click on any of the following links: cruise alaska tour and travel , Jana Jones, Cruise Critic contributor .
Solo cruising. Cruising solo. Somehow those two words, no matter the order, seem to evoke furrowed brows and looks of pity in many cruisers who are coupled alaska tour and travel or traveling with friends or family. Those of us who make the choice to cruise alone have a hard time figuring out why we are met with that reaction, alaska tour and travel except to deduce that those who look upon us as poor friendless souls have never experienced the liberation of a solo cruise, of not having to be responsible for anyone's pleasure but one's own.
I am a frequent "solo cruiser," and although I often travel alaska tour and travel with a friend or family member, alaska tour and travel I just as often travel with neither. Cruise Critic's Editor Carolyn Spencer Brown also cruises solo, and while we are very different (I am single and "of an age," she is a married alaska tour and travel lady whose husband has a busy career of his own), we both appreciate the experience of breathing it all in, of making our own choices, of being able to amble and contemplate life (and our cruise experience!) on our own terms.
alaska tour and travel There is, to us, a difference between being a solo cruiser and a single cruiser. While single cruisers alaska tour and travel tend to want to find others with whom to congregate, those who choose to cruise solo have to be comfortable with the concept that they are responsible for their own good time, whatever path that takes. To be alone is a choice. That choice, however, doesn't always guarantee a fabulous cruise vacation. In this coupled-up world, a solo can find it difficult to negotiate the obstacles alaska tour and travel inherent on most larger cruise ships, from harried and inattentive maitre d's to programs and activities alaska tour and travel that make it difficult for a solo to participate.
A solo or single cruiser creates "spoilage" in cruise-speak -- in other words, not only an empty bed that doesn't add booking revenue, but also a missing alaska tour and travel body to add auxiliary revenue from drink sales, casino alaska tour and travel use, shore excursions and spa treatments. With rare exception, a single or solo can expect to pay between 150 and 200 percent of the published cruise fare to cover the cost of the "missing" guest. What's worse, at least two major cruise lines -- NCL and Princess Cruises -- are now making solo guests pay double the non-commissionable fees (NCF's) that every guest is charged at the discretion of the cruise line. (These are not government-mandated fees and taxes, which by law can only be charged per person.)
For the North America-based solo, it's primarily the luxury lines that offer the best deals and the most amenable alaska tour and travel services (with NCL's mega-ship, Norwegian Epic, a welcome exception), but European cruise lines, from big-ship to small, high-end ones, have been proactive in this area for a long time. Depending on what drives you, you can find bargains and benefits on the lines (and in some cases, individual ships) that we have chosen as the best for solos. Here are some pointers first:
Are you a solo lady who likes dancing? Many lines and ships offer the "gentleman host" program, but usually on their longer cruises (Cunard's an exception; it offers hosts on all trips). They are actually selected on the basis of their dancing ability, and they love to trip the light fantastic. Solo men who love to dance won't have a problem finding ladies (they outnumber males traveling alaska tour and travel alone by about three to one!)
Are you interested in creating enduring friendships? Many cruise alaska tour and travel lines have solo get-togethers, and even if they don't, you can use your areas of interest (bridge play, perhaps, or wine and cuisine) to meet people with similar hobbies.
Even solos need community. Get out there! We know one lady who, even though she has the means, refuses to book herself a balcony cabin. "I spend too much time alone that way," she says. "I miss the camaraderie of sailaways up on deck, or the joys of coming into a port with others who are as enthusiastic as I am." Don't be shy about expressing to your maitre d' exactly what kind of dinner arrangement you'd like, either.
Finally, you can, in fact, double alaska tour and travel your financial ability to cruise by using the "Find a Partner" program offered by a few lines. This service connects single cruisers of the same sex who might be interested in sharing alaska tour and travel a cabin. It's not ideal for everyone, but it sure can help the bottom line.
Special Extras: The solo cabins on Deck 6 include both inside and outside options (both 130 square feet) and have a "boutique hotel style" feel to them. Special touches include complimentary water and a "pamper pack" on arrival. Each cabin has a single bed, a flat-screen television and a vanity/writing desk and drawers, plus a bathroom with a shower.
Special Extras: A full-size bed, flat-screen TV and private bathroom are all squeezed into these 100-square-foot accommodations. Although all the studios alaska tour and travel are inside cabins, they each have a window that looks out onto the corridor. Four different colors of ambient lighting jazz up the room. But the biggest perk is access to an exclusive, shared social space called the Studio Lounge. It's a sleek hangout space, with its own large-screen TV's, coffee-making facilities and a bartender at certain times of the day.
Why: Holland America Line, more than any other big-ship cruise line, is renowned for catering to solo guests. There are plenty of programs that don't require partners, and activities that can be delightfully solitary or a means to meet others (the culinary programs, from hands-on workshops to wine tastings, are tons of fun!). The Single alaska tour and travel Partner's Program, its roommate-matching service, matches passengers of the same sex with others who want to share -- and guarantees you'll pay just the double alaska tour and travel occupancy price, even if no partner can be found.
Why: Silversea doesn't offer "single" cabins but its occasional special fare deals means that a solo traveler can sail alone without a huge penalty. Typical solo fares are 25 to 75 percent above the double-occupancy rate, but may be eligible for Silver Savings discounts and free or reduced airfare. Singles make up about 10 percent (pretty significant in cruising) of its passengers. Another plus: With just 296 passengers on Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, 382 apiece on Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper, and 540 on Silver Spirit, alaska tour and travel solo cruisers find it easy to feel at home. Some of the enrichment programs and special interest cruises ensure a compatible mix of people with like interests, solo or not.
Special Extras: A cocktail reception is held on every voyage with a large number of solos. Most voyages of over 10 days also have male Social Ambassadors onboard as dance partners and shore excursion escorts.
Discounts alaska tour and travel available: Solo fares are often as low as 125 percent of the regular alaska tour and travel fares, but occasional sales can bring single traveler alaska tour and travel rates down to 110 percent. The line is quick to point out that these fares are "capacity controlled and subject to availability." In other words, alaska tour and travel book early!
Why: Crystal is one of the most popular luxury line for solos, who make up to 15 percent of its passengers on some sailings. Solos are attracted by the wide range of activities onboard, plus singles' parties, gentleman alaska tour and travel hosts and supplements that can be as low as 25 percent for certain categories. Many luxury-minded solos also choose Crystal because it features alaska tour and travel assigned dining room seating, which is unique in this market segment (most luxury lines have an open single-seating dining room); this set-seating dining policy means you dine with the same folks every night. Additionally, the Table for 8 program lets solo travelers dine at the specialty restaurants with other singles. Finally, while Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are as spacious as super-liners, they carry only 940 and 1,080 passengers respectively; a sense of community prevails onboard.
Why: This well-known British company, now in its fifth generation of ownership by the same family, has long catered to its traditionally over-50 passengers. In this sense, it actually creates -- and designs -- cabins for its solo travelers. The line offers primarily U.K.- based cruises to a mostly British market, but is attracting some North Americans to its winter Caribbean alaska tour and travel trips, which are marketed to new world travelers. Fred. Olsen's sedate atmosphere, which caters to a mature demographic, will be a welcome change for those who choose to avoid the more raucous nature alaska tour and travel of most mass-market lines.
Special Extras: All Fred. Olsen ships -- Balmoral, Boudicca, Braemar and Black Watch -- offer solo cabins, ranging alaska tour and travel in number from 40 (Braemar) to 64 (Balmoral). Not only do single cabins come in a variety of categories (including a few balcony alaska tour and travel staterooms and solo suites), alaska tour and travel but they are also decorated for solos. Travelers will find a cozy stateroom with just one bed, with extra furnishings where the second bed would normally go.
Special Extras: One of Seabourn's lovely traditions is to have its officers and entertainment staffers host tables at dinner -- not only on a formal evening but on just about every night. Solo travelers receive alaska tour and travel special consideration when it comes to invites -- so you really don't have to dine alone if you don't choose to. As well, single alaska tour and travel ladies will be escorted across the dining room by the maitre alaska tour and travel d', a nice touch.
Discounts Available: Depending on the sailing alaska tour and travel and the time of year, Seabourn offers capacity-controlled discounts on "run of the ship" A-, B2- or V1-category suites. Solos pay just 50 percent more than double-occupancy passengers, but Seabourn will choose their statement location. Assignments will be made about 30 days before sailing.
Why: Costa Cruises actually has single cabins (or in some cases, regular cabins priced for solos) on most of its ships. Unfortunately alaska tour and travel for American cruisers, these solo staterooms are not available outside of Europe.
alaska tour and travel Special Extras: alaska tour and travel This Italian cruise line offers singles'