Wants affordable single rooms

 As a single traveler, I read with great interest the article “Avoiding the Dreaded Single Supplement” in Lew Toulmin’s column “The Cruising World” (Jan. ’14, pg. 53). On the subject of single supplements, I’m always looking for any tips. Routinely, as in Mr. Toulmin’s article, these articles suggest matching up with someone of the same gender on a trip, whether a cruise or land tour. Really??

Those of you who travel as part of a couple, put yourself — just for a moment — in the position of someone traveling solo on a trip and rooming with a total stranger.

Who gets the bathroom first? How many times do you get up in the night to use it? Are you always clothed appropriately for a stranger in a small room? Who gets which drawer or which side of the closet? Do you commingle your stuff on a vanity top? What time do you go to bed? What time do you get up? How long does it take you to get ready?

Keep thinking of all these “little” things that you take for granted when traveling with your spouse. Substitute a same-gender stranger for your spouse. Now how comfortable are you?

KAREN CALDICOTT

San Diego, CA