5 Solo Tips for Finding the Right River Cruise/Small Ship Cruise

5 Solo Tips for Finding the Right River Cruise/Small Ship Cruise

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5 Solo Tips for Finding the Right River Cruise/Small Ship Cruise Now for the best vacation! Although I make my way solo around the globe from sub-Sahara Africa to the Middle East, there are remote locations where that just does not work. A case in point: I spent a  past Christmas upriver in the Brazilian Amazon. There were no roads so access was strictly a quick glimpse overhead in a helicopter or more in-depth by boat.  I booked a river cruise for 8 days and saw soaring birds and (leering?) caiman and miles of virtually untouched rainforest. I previously had also explored the Nile and China’s Yangtze on river boats of varying sizes.

In my view, a small ship/river cruise is a perfect trip for a solo traveler. I highly recommend you take this approach so you can both save time in having to plan and be better able to manage and predict your cost outlays.

5 Solo Tips for Finding the Right River Cruise/Small Ship Cruise Now:

Why a river cruise/small ship cruise?

River cruises are ideal for solos for a number of reasons:

• Planning is taken care of by the tour operator.
• Pricing is generally all-inclusive, except for extras such as drinks and tips. (Airfare may or may not be included)
• This works as a standalone package or as an extension to a business or leisure trip.
• The boats’ small sizes provide the opportunity for ready-made travel companions or dinner partners and new friends.
• Safety issues are addressed by being part of a group. In addition, in areas of high crime and political unrest, being on a cruise removes security problems created by going back and forth to a hotel in the evening and venturing out solo for dinner.
• Lastly, but importantly, you only have to unpack once. As a solo traveler, I find nothing worse than coming and going on international flights and then trains and buses to lug too much baggage. Cruises make it even easier today. Unlike the Gilded Age or the 20th-century, “dressing for dinner” pay actually allow sporting flip-flops!

5 Solo Tips for Finding the Right River Cruise/Small Ship Cruise Now: Economics:

1. Consider both the overall cost and a breakdown on a daily basis.

Create an estimate of the following components:

• Average rate for 4-star lodging for 6 nights,
• Meals, water/snacks,
• Local transportation,
• Guides and/or entrance fees if touring independently,
• Out-of-pocket expenses and
• Rate of single supplement, absent a roommate option.

Access-As in the Amazon and in China, there was no other way to see the area except by boat. In Europe, other options exist where it is possible to drive or take a bus or train through major river valleys. However, the view is much better at the slower pace of river cruises!

5 Solo Tips for Finding the Right River Cruise/Small Ship Cruise Now: The Program:

2. Research the destination(s) to see what sights are included and if it is possible to add side trips. This is really important because the river package will have very specific stops. In each case, I have had a separate land package before and/or after the cruise to address my individual interests. In Brazil, I wanted to see certain large land animals difficult to view in the dense rainforest upriver. To round out the trip, I arrived early and visited wildlife refuges and research centers before joining the river cruise. In Egypt, I followed the same plan by starting in Cairo before meeting the cruise to sail from Luxor to Aswan. In China, I was able to take a Yangtze cruise between days spent touring Beijing and Shanghai.

3. Consider whether the itinerary fits with your preferred level of activity. Do you find yourself stir-crazy absent a full agenda? Alternatively, if too rigorous, can you opt out of part of the daily activity?  Adventure-oriented river cruises tend to specify whether excursions are moderate or involve more intense hiking.  For my own vacations, I usually opt for river cruises that have set stops each day with the opportunity to explore the region in-depth.

4. Think ahead as to what is a must for you. For example, is fishing a top priority for you? Are you really excited about swimming with dolphins or strolling through the spring tulip marts? If these activities are not part of the existing program, are there side excursions that fit?

5 Solo Tips for Finding the Right River Cruise/Small Ship Cruise: The Group:

5. If demographics are a concern, is this a fit for you? If you are looking for a solo trip, do you prefer a women or men’s group, a specific age group? Is this the right trip for you?

In that context, consider what language groups are represented. I once toured Egypt for the day in Spanish because the two other travelers did not speak English or Arabic. Having minored in Spanish and lived in Florida, I was very pleased to have this opportunity. This may not always work so consider your options. (Some tour buses include tapes in multiple languages although that can lack some spontaneity.)

Why choose a small ship or river cruise?

1. They have access to remote regions and are ideal for adventure travel.

2. It is easier to make new friends and connect for meals and touring while still having private cabins.

3. No single supplement specials are currently more common.

As in any travel, researching ahead will prevent unexpected surprises that can torpedo your vacation.

Start looking now to capture both summer and year-end holiday deals.

Take a look at our 5 Tips for Finding The Right River Cruise Now. Then go to our Contacts page, and give us your added tips.

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