I don't really see a heading for input so I'm just going to put this out there in hopes someone at RS reads it:
I am very happy to pay the single supplement, even when it makes the cost of the trip pretty high. I love having a room to myself and often need the quiet time it offers. My issue/concern is that the availability of singles is so limited! If I really want to go on a particular trip, I often have to sign up a year or more in advance to make sure a room is available. Doubles seem to be available long after the singles sell out. Even if the supplement is increased a little to increase the availability of singles, I would be willing to pay it. That seems like it would be possible to factor in. Thanks RS for having such amazingly wonderful trips! I would like to do more of them!
Hello Mary, Thank you for reaching out about single room availability. We understand that the request for single rooms has risen. In March, we increased single room capacity to accommodate our participants…
Several times when I tried to enroll in a program, I discovered that no singles were available and when I called RS, I was asked if I would like to be placed on a waiting-list. Then a day or two later…
Hi, Pam.
A year ago right now I was on the Cornwall trip. It was a spur of the moment trip since a non-RS trip I'd been planning to take was cancelled. I saw that although there were no single spots left…
I completely agree!
One time I was able to get them to increase the number of singles when there were doubles showing available online. It was a trip to Cornwall, UK staying in the same location all nights except first and last so I checked on the hotel websites to see if there were single hotel rooms available. There were, I called RS and they were able to contact the Program Provider in UK and change things. The next time I tried that the staff member on the phone was huffy and nasty "We NEVER do that" he says. Well, you did last time I called, I replied. He was not willing to take it further up the chain to ask. I find that kind of customer service appalling - both his attitude and the inability to try to serve program members.
I went with a Rick Steves tour instead.
The next Road Scholar tour I went on there were plenty of single supplement availability. In fact, in thinking back, I think 7 of us had single rooms even though one of the single rooms was a guy who was traveling with family and 2 of the women were traveling together.
So, yes, I'd love more single supplement availability. I'll not be booking a year ahead based on the current virus situation. I wasn't comfortable with that before and in fact the only time I did it to get a single supplement I changed my mind on destination. It was far enough ahead that I was able to move my deposit without a financial hit but given recent events I'd not risk that now even with CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) insurance.
I also think it's hilarious (or appalling) that RS has targeted solo travelers for donations and to start GoFundMe campaigns for singles. What? I obviously don't get the mailings for those sharing a room so have no idea what RS has hit them up for. Not sure if they are being asked to start GoFundMe campaigns as well.
~Pam
Hello Mary, Thank you for reaching out about single room availability. We understand that the request for single rooms has risen. In March, we increased single room capacity to accommodate our participants in 2020 and 2021. We are also working on providing a more single rooms for future programming. We hope this will address the demand for single rooms on our programs and keep our participants travelling! Sincerely, Kirsten
Hello Pam, As noted above, Road Scholar is working hard to increase our single room capacity on all of our 5,000 program dates. All of our programs are unique, with different accommodations depending on the destination and this can affect our ability to get additional single rooms. In years past, it was more difficult to accommodate all of the single room requests which is likely why our staff noted it was not possible to obtain additional single rooms for your program. However, we are working hard to accommodate single room requests and provide additional single rooms for upcoming trips. We hope you will consider joining us on another program in the future as a solo traveler. Sincerely, Kirsten
A year ago right now I was on the Cornwall trip. It was a spur of the moment trip since a non-RS trip I'd been planning to take was cancelled. I saw that although there were no single spots left, there were still openings, so I called. The signup period had just closed, but the RS agent helped get me into the program. (It took several days.)
So, sign up extra early to get a single spot. Or wait until the last minute. But better to have increased availability.
Funny thing about the Cornwall trip. One couple that had signed up never came, so I wasn't really an "extra." And at the hotel in Falmouth, where we spent most of our nights, I was given a giant family room that included an alcove with bunkbeds.
Gerry! I loved that hotel in Falmouth! I could pretend I was in another era, lol!! I, too, had a giant room there but no bunkbeds. What a cool, old hotel!
I love solo traveling because I like freedom. It's hard sometimes to find a single room. but it's possible. As you said, you have to sing up a year or more in advance. https://timescanner.pro/ - I use this service to know the exact time and determine my current time zone when traveling. Sometimes I lose track of time.
Several times when I tried to enroll in a program, I discovered that no singles were available and when I called RS, I was asked if I would like to be placed on a waiting-list. Then a day or two later, I would get a call indicating that a single was available for me. Sometimes, people cancel but also sometimes RS can get an additional single by calling the hotel. On my first trip with RS in 2001, I learned that because so many people called them requesting the program, they added another program in order to accommodate everyone. I think it is always worthwhile calling them and getting on a waiting-list if you are seriously interested in a program. Don't give up.