Single supplement basics
A single supplement is a charge paid by a solo traveler to compensate a hotel or cruise line for losses incurred because only one person is staying in a cruise room or cabin. Most hotel rooms and boat cabins are built on the assumption that at least two people will occupy them. In fact, almost all hotel and cruise prices are based on double occupancy. Many tour operators also base their prices on double occupancy.
Single supplements range from 10 to 100 percent of the double occupancy rate. Hotel and cruise operators claim that charging a single supplement helps them recoup the fixed costs of maintaining the room or cabin, such as utilities and cleaning, which remain the same regardless of how many people use the room. Individual supplements also help hotels and cruise lines to recoup losses incurred because the second occupant is not there to spend money at the hotel or on the ship.
How many people travel alone?
How many lonely travelers are there?
According to the International Association of Cruise Lines, approximately 16 percent of cruise passengers in North America are single, divorced, widowed or separated. While not all of these cruises travel alone, cruise lines are increasingly responding to their solo passengers, building ships with more individual cabins and solo passenger lounges.
In October 2018, the British Travel Agents Association (ABTA) reported that 15% of travelers took solo vacations in the past 12 months, primarily to avoid having to commit to travel plans.
Researchers in the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study 2015 found that approximately 24 percent of leisure travelers abroad vacationed alone, up from 15 percent in 2013.
The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) reports that 53 percent of its member tour operators saw increases in solo traveler bookings.
According to the Daily Mail newspaper, tour operators report that 35 percent of British travelers who book group tours travel alone. Of those solo travelers, 58 percent are women.
Who should pay a single supplement?
Solo travelers often pay individual supplements on group trips, cruises, and hotels. Tour operators and cruise lines disclose individual supplement rates in their brochures and on their websites. The individual supplement in a hotel is generally not disclosed; rather, one traveler will only pay the same rate for a room as two travelers sharing that room, effectively paying a 100 percent supplement. When asked, hotel owners explained this policy by stating that they charge by the room, not by the number of people who use it.
How to avoid paying a single supplement
Avoiding the single supplement is not easy. Some cruise lines and tour operators offer a roommate matching service. This service allows you to avoid paying a single supplement if you sign up to share a room with another solo traveler.
Some tour companies cater exclusively to individual travelers and offer prices without supplements, while others offer a limited selection of itineraries without supplements. A good travel agent will be able to help you quickly identify tours and cruises without supplements. You can also do this research on your own, as described below.
In some countries, hotels offer single rooms. While these rooms tend to be small, they are less expensive than a traditional double room. Make sure to reserve your single room in advance, especially if you plan to travel during peak season.
Other options to avoid the single supplement include joining a singles travel network that can help you find travel companions or find a roommate on your own.
Tips for finding tours and cruises without supplements
While some tour operators and cruise lines offer free travel on a regular basis, others do so less frequently. This means that you will have to do a little research, either alone or with the help of a travel agent, to find the best deals for solo travelers. You are more likely to find a no-supplement tour or cruise at the beginning or end of the travel season, during the months when tour operators and cruise lines have to work a little harder to complete their travels.
One way to find easy vacations is to first search by travel type (tour, cruise, or independent vacation) and destination, and then look for travel providers that offer free travel to the places you want to visit. Alternatively, you can search for travel providers who offer no-supplement travel first and then choose the most attractive and affordable destination and mode of travel from that list of providers.
If you plan to travel alone, planning your trip in advance will likely save you money. You’ll have time to search for no-cost trips and cruises, communicate with potential roommates, and find the least expensive times to travel.
