The idea of going abroad on holidays alone is something that can divide people. Some love the idea of having no ties and just heading off whenever the mood takes you, while others find it daunting. For many, the suggestion of travelling alone sparks safety concerns, as well as an image of being lonely in another country, sightseeing or sitting on a beach by yourself.
However, travel agencies have seen an increase in demand for solo travel packages. Mary Denton, CEO of Sunway Holidays, ascribes this growth in popularity to people not wanting to compromise on where they go and what they do.
“Travel companies like ourselves are looking to reflect this demand and offer great deals and experiences for solo travellers.”
Cruises are a popular getaway for solo holidaymakers, with cruises now offering more dedicated functions for solo travellers, explains Mary: “Cruises obviously have safe opportunities for social interaction. That takes the stress out and a lot of the cruise companies now are doing offers dedicated to solo travellers. Norwegian Cruise Line, they actually have dedicated singles-only decks where they have access to certain singles lounges and complexes.”
Not totally solo
For those who want to explore different countries but are reluctant to jet off by themselves, escorted tours are an alternative option.
“The escorted tours side of things would be really popular for solo travellers that want to go to off the beaten track places. If you’re going on an escorted tour with other solo travellers, it definitely gives you a lot more peace of mind and everything is included,” says Mary.
“You mix with people like yourself for seven or 14 days so you build up great friendships over the time as well, and you’re getting to see places that you wouldn’t normally get to or you probably wouldn’t want to go to on your own.”
Mary says the safety of escorted tours, as well as being accompanied by other travellers, encourages some of the more cautious travellers to head off.
“They’re going to be with other people, they have guides, they have other people with them throughout the whole holiday. Everything is organised.
This kind of travel isn’t limited to any age either.
“On escorted tours like Wendy Wu, travellers would be anything from around 30 years upwards but obviously you have companies, the adventure backpacking ones more so, that would be for the younger age group.
Time to go
As well as the destination, it is important for solo travellers to consider the time of year to get away. Mary advises: “Going in April or May, the off-season, would be a better time to be looking for solo deals than going in July or August when prices would be higher.
“It depends on the destination they want to go to and the tour that they’re looking to go on and the group they’re looking to travel with but if they’re flexible they will pick up great offers for solo holidays.
“April, May, September, October are always a great time, again depending on the destination they’re looking to go to.”
Below are suggestions from Mary for solo holidays for young, middle-aged and older travellers:
Young
Norwegian Cruise Line gives you plenty of options to plan your singles cruise holiday. During each of Norwegian’s sailings there are plenty of opportunities to meet fellow passengers. Most sailings have singles meet-ups for those cruising alone. Some of their on-board cruise staff host bar crawls around the ship, or even get your pride on at the Friends of Dorothy happy hour happening every night. They feature award-winning studio accommodation for solo travellers with Broadway-style theatre shows, live music venues and comedy shows.
Norwegian Epic - France & Italy, 07 May 2023, Return flights with checked bag, Airport transfer, four nights cruising in a studio with all meals and onboard Entertainment. €1,278.
Middle
Norwegian Encore – Caribbean (Bahamas, St Thomas, Tortola, Dom Rep), 25 March 2023, Return flights to Miami with checked bag, one-night hotel stay in Miami room only, seven nights cruising in a studio stateroom with all meals and on board entertainment and gratuities. €2,195.
Older
Celebrity Cruises offer excellent solo travellers rates. Luxury five-star ships offering exceptional dining options for the discerning traveller. Their cruises have on-board activities to suit everyone, from thrilling entertainment and live music to a speaker series and guided meditations
Celebrity Cruises – Italy, Sicily and Montenegro Cruise, 13 October 2022, Celebrity Constellation. Return flights with checked bag, airport transfers, nine nights cruising in an interior with all meals and on-board entertainment. €2,254.
Excellent value for money.Meals and entertainment are included.A new destination everyday, but only unpack once.Diverse range of food.Opportunities to mix with and meet fellow travellers.Organised group excursions at each port (additional cost).Excellent facilities on board from spas to waterparks.Everything you need for a holiday under one roof.
The idea of going abroad on holidays alone is something that can divide people. Some love the idea of having no ties and just heading off whenever the mood takes you, while others find it daunting. For many, the suggestion of travelling alone sparks safety concerns, as well as an image of being lonely in another country, sightseeing or sitting on a beach by yourself.
However, travel agencies have seen an increase in demand for solo travel packages. Mary Denton, CEO of Sunway Holidays, ascribes this growth in popularity to people not wanting to compromise on where they go and what they do.
“Travel companies like ourselves are looking to reflect this demand and offer great deals and experiences for solo travellers.”
Cruises are a popular getaway for solo holidaymakers, with cruises now offering more dedicated functions for solo travellers, explains Mary: “Cruises obviously have safe opportunities for social interaction. That takes the stress out and a lot of the cruise companies now are doing offers dedicated to solo travellers. Norwegian Cruise Line, they actually have dedicated singles-only decks where they have access to certain singles lounges and complexes.”
Not totally solo
For those who want to explore different countries but are reluctant to jet off by themselves, escorted tours are an alternative option.
“The escorted tours side of things would be really popular for solo travellers that want to go to off the beaten track places. If you’re going on an escorted tour with other solo travellers, it definitely gives you a lot more peace of mind and everything is included,” says Mary.
“You mix with people like yourself for seven or 14 days so you build up great friendships over the time as well, and you’re getting to see places that you wouldn’t normally get to or you probably wouldn’t want to go to on your own.”
Mary says the safety of escorted tours, as well as being accompanied by other travellers, encourages some of the more cautious travellers to head off.
“They’re going to be with other people, they have guides, they have other people with them throughout the whole holiday. Everything is organised.
This kind of travel isn’t limited to any age either.
“On escorted tours like Wendy Wu, travellers would be anything from around 30 years upwards but obviously you have companies, the adventure backpacking ones more so, that would be for the younger age group.
Time to go
As well as the destination, it is important for solo travellers to consider the time of year to get away. Mary advises: “Going in April or May, the off-season, would be a better time to be looking for solo deals than going in July or August when prices would be higher.
“It depends on the destination they want to go to and the tour that they’re looking to go on and the group they’re looking to travel with but if they’re flexible they will pick up great offers for solo holidays.
“April, May, September, October are always a great time, again depending on the destination they’re looking to go to.”
Below are suggestions from Mary for solo holidays for young, middle-aged and older travellers:
Young
Norwegian Cruise Line gives you plenty of options to plan your singles cruise holiday. During each of Norwegian’s sailings there are plenty of opportunities to meet fellow passengers. Most sailings have singles meet-ups for those cruising alone. Some of their on-board cruise staff host bar crawls around the ship, or even get your pride on at the Friends of Dorothy happy hour happening every night. They feature award-winning studio accommodation for solo travellers with Broadway-style theatre shows, live music venues and comedy shows.
Norwegian Epic - France & Italy, 07 May 2023, Return flights with checked bag, Airport transfer, four nights cruising in a studio with all meals and onboard Entertainment. €1,278.
Middle
Norwegian Encore – Caribbean (Bahamas, St Thomas, Tortola, Dom Rep), 25 March 2023, Return flights to Miami with checked bag, one-night hotel stay in Miami room only, seven nights cruising in a studio stateroom with all meals and on board entertainment and gratuities. €2,195.
Older
Celebrity Cruises offer excellent solo travellers rates. Luxury five-star ships offering exceptional dining options for the discerning traveller. Their cruises have on-board activities to suit everyone, from thrilling entertainment and live music to a speaker series and guided meditations
Celebrity Cruises – Italy, Sicily and Montenegro Cruise, 13 October 2022, Celebrity Constellation. Return flights with checked bag, airport transfers, nine nights cruising in an interior with all meals and on-board entertainment. €2,254.
Excellent value for money.Meals and entertainment are included.A new destination everyday, but only unpack once.Diverse range of food.Opportunities to mix with and meet fellow travellers.Organised group excursions at each port (additional cost).Excellent facilities on board from spas to waterparks.Everything you need for a holiday under one roof. 
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