Survey reveals that three quarters of travellers holiday on their own

In a survey conducted by independent cruise agent ROL Cruise and World of Cruising magazine, 76 per cent of respondents said they had taken a holiday on their own. The survey of 1,891 people across all age ranges reveals that a third are frequent solo travellers, having taken a holiday alone ten or more times.

As the number of one person households rises, so does the number of solo traveller numbers and their confidence at seeing the world on their own.

Cruising featured heavily in the list of holidays taken by those travelling solo. Two thirds of those who had holidayed alone (half of all surveyed) had cruised as a solo traveller. With 70 per cent of respondents citing excursions as the most likely place to meet like-minded travellers, cruising caters well for solo guests.

However, while fear of travelling alone was off-putting for 40 per cent of respondents, it was price that ranked as the most important factor for solo travellers choosing a holiday. A staggering 94 per cent called for “realistic pricing” for solo travellers and an end to single supplements.

Survey highlights:

● 76 per cent of respondents have taken a holiday as a solo traveller
● Only 34 per cent listed themselves as single
● 15 per cent have travelled alone just once compared to 34 per cent who have gone solo ten or more times
● 94 per cent highlight price and no-single supplements as factors that influence their solo travel choices
● 40 per cent of those yet to travel solo cite fear of travelling alone as the reason
● Two thirds (61 per cent) of respondents expect to spend on average up to GBP2,000 on a holiday with that figure rising to GBP3,000 for 66 per cent of respondents when considering a cruise holiday

Sarah Wikevand, Commercial, Marketing & Media Director of ROL Cruise said: “The way we travel is changing and cruise is ahead of the game in recognising the desires of solo travellers as well as helping to counter their fears. Cruise ships have been adapting their cabin offerings for solo travellers since 2010. Operators are increasingly recognising that single supplements, of any degree, are not favoured by a loyal and growing audience. We have many low and no single supplement packages available to combat this and appeal to the growing number of solo travellers that we are continuing to see year after year.”

Karen Pasquali Jones, Editor, World of Cruising, said: “Cruising is the perfect choice for solo travellers. They can pick an ocean or river cruise based on destinations they want to visit, or opt for a theme, such as wine-tasting, knowing that they are going to meet like-minded travellers. There are plenty of opportunities to make friends on board and during excursions, and with the choice to do as much or as little as you’d like, you’ll never feel lonely on a cruise.”

ROL Cruise offers a range of low or no supplement cruise packages for travellers looking to book a holiday on a solo-basis. Current solo deals include:

A 12-night Mystery Cruise on board Fred Olsen’s Balmoral, departing on 12th November 2018, with no single supplement from GBP1,399*.
https://www.rolcruise.co.uk/cruise-detail/1294378-solo-offer...

A 7-night German Cities and Canals cruise departing on 26th April 2018, with no single supplement, from GBP869*.
https://www.rolcruise.co.uk/cruise-detail/1260432-solo-offer...

Prices quoted here are valid until 1st March 2018. for the latest solo packages, please contact ROL Cruise via telephone on 0800 251 1005, click on www.rolcruise.co.uk or visit the team at Lexden House, London Road, Lexden, Colchester CO3 4DB.

ROL Cruise is also the official cruise travel agent partner at the Telegraph Travel Show. Feel free to visit the team’s stand at London Excel from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th February for more information. http://travelshow.telegraph.co.uk/attractions/cruise-1

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Notes to Editors:
*Prices quoted are valid until 1st March 2018.

ROL Cruise is also the official cruise travel agent partner at the Telegraph Travel Show. Feel free to visit the team’s stand at London Excel from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th February for more information. http://travelshow.telegraph.co.uk/attractions/cruise-1

About ROL Cruise:
Founded in 1995 ROL Cruise is the UK’s No.1 independent cruise retailer and considered the No.1 agent by many of the world’s leading cruise companies including Celebrity Cruises, Cruise and Maritime Voyages and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. ROL Cruise is renowned for its high standards of service and extensive knowledge of the cruise market and in recognition of this has received over 25 industry awards in the last five years alone. The ROL Cruise member loyalty rewards programme, Cruise Miles, helps over 300,000 registered members make financial savings on bookings. The company is headquartered in Colchester and employs over 100 people.

http://www.rolcruise.co.uk
https://twitter.com/ROLCruiseLtd

Editor’s Contact:
Peppa Sheridan, Peptalk Communications
01787 313822, peppa@peptalkpr.co.uk