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| © Star Clippers A Star Clippers tall ship cruise can accommodate up to 170 guests. (Photo courtesy Star Clippers) |
By Scott Laird, TravelPulse
Solo travel is a growing travel market segment, and the cruise industry is no exception.
Although solo travelers still make up a small percentage of cruise travelers, the number of single cruisers has increased in recent years, in line with national trends indicating there are more single adults now than in the previous century.
In honor of National Singles Day on September 22, Star Clippers is offering a waiver of single supplements on select sailing dates across some of the most popular itineraries in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indonesia and Far East.
The modern sailing ships, smaller than the mega-ships operated by other cruise lines, are intimate enough to call at small ports not frequented by other vessels.
Solo travelers can explore the sun-baked coasts of secluded ports in the French Riviera, including the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean; the picturesque, exclusive St. Barths and Iles des Saints in the Caribbean; and the sentry-like island cliffs of Thailands Phang Nga Bay.
Single supplements on some cruise lines can nearly double the cruise fare; waivers of these supplements can often lead to significant savings for solo travelers.
Single travelers selecting other itineraries with Star Clippers, like the recently announced Mamma Mia itineraries, can travel with reasonable single supplement rates. Onboard, guests will enjoy an intimate atmosphere with fewer than 200 fellow passengers, well-appointed cabins, swimming pools, bars and lounges.
The dining situation is relaxed and convivial, almost tailor-made for solo travelers. There are no fixed dining times for dinner, no formal nights, no table assignments, no tablemates. Guests dine when and with whom they wish; many nights they're joined by officers in the dining room at dinner.
Monaco-based Star Clippers currently operates a fleet of three tall ships, sailing on itineraries around the globe. A fourth ship enters service in late 2018.
