How to Avoid Couples on Solo Vacation
I’ve been alone for most of my adult life, and this has never stopped me from traveling. I have traveled through India alone; I went on cruises alone; I have visited both Disneyland and Walt Disney World alone (and will write about how to do a solo trip to Disneyland later this week).
When I travel, I don’t feel lonely or abandoned when I see couples or families. Of course, there will be people traveling with their loved ones or partners and children; most people do that. But if you’re planning a trip alone and prefer to avoid couples (or destinations), The Washington Post has some tips on where to go and where to skip.
Venice, for example, is on the pass list – “Two Words: Gondola Deals” – and single travelers looking to see Italy might be better off visiting Florence instead. The Washington Post also suggests avoiding resorts that are often structured and priced based on family or family experience; I can confirm that, at least in the case of cruise bookings, single passengers are often charged a “one-time surcharge” to offset the cost of living in a room that would otherwise accommodate two or more people (and two or more plans drinks. and excursion fees, etc.).
But I disagree with all the destinations on the WaPo skip list. The article suggests avoiding Las Vegas, for example, but I’ve found the Vegas Strip to be a delightful place to travel alone. Since the whole establishment is about making as much money out of people as possible, nobody cares if you request a table for one, a room for one, or a Ferris wheel ticket for one (and you definitely need to make a Ferris wheel in Las Vegas, it’s incredible ). You can sit at the slot machine or at the blackjack table all night if you like; I’m not into gambling, so I spent my time wandering ridiculously ostentatious hotels, eating delicious food and watching people.
I’ll tell you this based on years of experience as a solo traveler and vacationer: you will probably feel the most uncomfortable if you decide to sign up for a structured event that couples otherwise attend. These will be your wine tastings, horseback riding, anything related to dance lessons. You can have a great formal dinner on a cruise ship because you will be seated at a table (or, if you do not want to dine with other vacationers, you can be asked to sit alone); however, before dinner, all couples and families line up to take official photos – and it can be a little difficult for you to see, depending on how you feel about your single status.
So … you know … just come a little late. Explore the ship on your own while everyone else waits in line to smile for the camera, then enter the formal dining room, dressed in your best, with your head held high.
Chances are that at least one of these couples or parents (or teenage children stranded on a cruise with their parents) will look at how you travel on your own, be able to make their own decisions, and come and go as you please, and feel a little tiny prick of envy.