Migrants: cruise ship docks near Athens

*A cruise ship has brought hundreds of migrants from Syria to Europe's southern border.* Syrian refugee ship arrives on Greek mainland,…

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The best tour companies for solo travel

Solo travel is on the rise. And for good reason — it allows you much more freedom and a greater opportunity to connect with locals. According to the 2015 Visa Global Travel Intentions study, which surveyed over 13,000 travelers from 25 different countries, 24% of travelers traveled alone on their most recent leisure trip. That's almost 10% more than in 2013. But for some, venturing out into the world completely solo can be intimidating. The good news is there are a number of travel companies that cater to solo travelers and can help you book a guided trip with other travelers who are on their own. Take a look at our list below and start planning your next trip. General trips Solos Solos, Britain's number one "singles holiday company," has been around since 1982, and they've been catering specifically to solo travelers from the start. The company offers all kinds of vacations — from walks and treks to cities, ski or beach vacations. They also just recently launched an American branch, Solos Vacations, which only offers trips to the UK and Italy as of right now. Classic Journeys Classic Journeys provides a solution to an issue that solo travelers have long had to deal with: supplements. Most travel companies raise prices up to 50% for those traveling alone. Classic Journeys, on the other hand, keeps its mark up to around 15%, because they only charge customers the extra fee that hotels charge for single travelers. This isn't a "singles vacation" company; Classic Journeys specializes in walking tours with knowledgeable local guides. They're happy to book you a double room just for yourself, and they've received top ratings from both National Geographic and Travel + Leisure. About a third of their guests book solo trips. Contiki Vacations Contiki is geared towards younger travelers, specifically those aged 18-35. The company uses forums and social media to connect vacationers with each other before they embark on their journey. Since most of their pricing is for doubles, Contiki's goal is to match travelers up with someone of the same sex and then book a double room for them. So if you're looking to make friends on your trip, this is the company for you. Abercrombie and Kent Best known as a luxury travel company, Abercrombie and Kent accepts solo travelers on all of its trips — to all seven continents. They also offer Solo Savings escorted group tours, where single travelers enjoy their own private accommodations during every stop of the trip, but don't have to pay the usual single supplements. A&K either completely waives the supplement, or reduces it by up to 75%.  Adventure trips Exodus Exodus is unique in that it designates one or two departure dates per tour as Solo Departures, which the company suggests solo travelers use. Therefore, most of the people who leave on those dates and end up on those trips are people vacationing alone. Exodus' tour guides are local and have gone through leader training. Guests can choose trips like cycling Croatia's Dalmatian Coast or exploring Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands in South America. Overseas Adventure Travel Ideal for budget travelers, Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) takes single travelers to exotic destinations such as Botswana and Patagonia. They have both land adventures, which are tours on land with groups of 10-16 other travelers, or small ship adventures, which are boat tours with anywhere from 16 to 25 other travelers.  OAT does not charge supplements, even if you extend your trip 4-9 nights, and they offer the "Solo Traveler Challenge:" a guarantee that if you find another travel company offering a better price on a comparable trip, OAT will meet that price, plus lower it by $500.  G Adventures If you're looking for an authentic experience, G Adventures is your answer. You can sleep in tents in a desert camp in Morocco or sleep under the stars in Antarctica. Active travelers will also like G Adventures; they have multiple trekking and hiking tours, such as a 10-day journey up Mont Blanc in Switzerland. There are no single supplements, but G Adventures does book shared hotel rooms, so your accommodations won't be private. However, if you choose to extend your trip by using the company's independent extensions option, you will be charged a singles supplement. Safaris Singita Singita has luxury safari lodges in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. One is located in the well known Kruger National Park, and the others are in lesser known parks. They've completely abandoned the single supplement, and they offer reduced pricing if you're looking to travel in the off season. Wilderness Safaris Billed as Africa's "foremost ecotourism operator," Wilderness Safaris takes guests to some of the continent's most remote locations while also helping to maintain its biodiversity. The company's 50 luxury camps are located in eight African countries: Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. If you travel through southern Africa during November to April 15th, Wilderness Safaris will waive not only your flight but also your accommodation charges. It's a great deal, considering you still have a good chance of seeing just as much wildlife — but for a fraction of the price. Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line On three of its ships — the Epic, Breakaway, and Pride of America — Norwegian Cruise Line has cabins made exclusively for solo travelers that cost about 30% less than a double stateroom. They offers cruises all over including Alaska, Florida and the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, and Panama just to name a few.  Lindblad Expeditions Like Norwegian, Lindblad Expeditions is another cruise company that offers solo cabins for a third less than the price of regular rooms. These single rooms can be found on their National Geographic Explorer, Endeavour, and Orion ships. Their destinations include the Amazon, Peru, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Caribbean. Grand Circle Cruise Line Grand Circle Cruise Line is one of the few cruise companies that does not offer a single supplement on their small ship cruises. Its small ship cruises go to the British Isles, Greece, France, Turkey, Bosnia, Spain, Burma, Iberia, and many others.SEE ALSO: Here's why I think everyone should travel alone at some point in their life Follow us! BI Travel is on Twitter Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: You'll want to travel to Turkey after watching this incredible video

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‘Quantum of the Seas’ Arrives in Piraeus, Greece

The third largest cruise ship in the world, measuring 347 meters in length, which can host up to 4,905 passengers in 2090 cabins and 1,500 crew members, arrived at the port of Piraeus on Monday, May 18, at 11 am. The Quantum of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean International (RCI), and its captain, Srecko “Felix” Ban, were welcomed by Piraeus Port managing executives to mark its arrival in Athens. The cruise ship was completed and handed over to RCI in October 2014, while its maiden voyage began on November 2, 2014. It is the largest cruise ship currently sailing the Mediterranean Sea and the largest newly-built ship to visit the port of Piraeus. The large cruise ship is travelling from Barcelona, Spain, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Piraeus is one of the stops on its long journey. Quantum of the Seas offers a variety of first-at-sea experiences, such as the first ever sky-diving simulator at sea and the North star – a jewel-shaped capsule that gently ascends over 300 feet above sea level, offering 360° views of the sea and the ship’s destinations.

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US passengers expected to boost cruises

The cruise sector in Greece will remain in positive territory this year, according to the estimates of the cruise sector expert at the Association of Hellenic Tourism Enterprises, Andreas Stylianopoulos, who foresees a healthy rise in passengers from the United States.

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First Cruise Ship Opens Season for Thessaloniki

The arrival of MS Hamburg cruise ship in Thessaloniki port on March 31 marked the beginning of the cruise season for the popular Greek city. More than 30 ships are expected to arrive in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, throughout the season. The number of tourists that arrive from cruises to the city is expected to increase in 2015 compared to 2014 as the city is gradually being integrated into Mediterranean cruise routes. The first cruise for 2015 carried 375 passengers — mainly Germans tourists- and 150 crew members. The ship arrived in the northern Greece port after crossing Dardanelles, formerly known as Hellespont and the north Aegean Sea. From 9 am until 4:30 pm tourists roamed the streets sightseeing and visiting the city’s museums while others were transferred to the archaeological site of Vergina via buses. Around 4:30 pm the cruise ship departed for the Greek city of Volos. The 2015 arrivals schedule, which is still under development, includes 31 confirmed cruise ships, a number which is possible to increase as the season progresses. The schedule provides that the last 2015 arrival will take place on October 31. The next arrival is expected on Easter Monday, when the cruise ship Europa will arrive in the Thermaic Gulf, while Saga Sapphire will arrive on April 19.

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A Greek Odyssey! How to cruise your way around the Greek islands... without breaking the bank

A cruise is a great way to enjoy the Mediterranean in summer. What could be more relaxing after some sightseeing than sitting on deck with a cool ...

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Gulf Air offers free connectivity to 14 Greek destinations

Valid until April 30, the offer gives passengers the opportunity to avail of complimentary onward domestic travel via the Greek carrier, Aegean Airlines, ...

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Gulf Air offers free connectivity to 14 Greek destinations

Valid until April 30, the offer gives passengers the opportunity to avail of complimentary onward domestic travel via the Greek carrier, Aegean Airlines, ...

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JetBlue's new CEO seeks the right balance to please passengers and Wall Street investors

by  Associated Press JetBlue's CEO battles to appease passengers and Wall Street by SCOTT MAYEROWITZ, Associated Press - 16 February 2015 03:02-05:00 NEW YORK (AP) — Robin Hayes, the new CEO of JetBlue Airways, is balancing between passengers and Wall Street. As he takes control of the New York-based airline Monday, Hayes faces a difficult task: increase profits without destroying the culture that has made JetBlue stand out from other U.S. airlines. JetBlue, after all, was the first carrier to give passengers free live TV at each seat and is still known for its friendly employees. For years, the airline has resisted charging for a first checked bag and boasted the most generous legroom in the industry. But, while the airline remained profitable, it lagged behind competitors. Wall Street demanded change. To appease investors, Hayes recently announced that JetBlue will add a fee this spring for the first checked suitcase — a move estimated to bring in an extra $200 million annually by 2017. It will also add 15 more seats on most of its jets. That should increase the profit per flight, but passengers will lose some personal space. To the airline's fans, those were jarring decisions. Hayes stayed up until 3 a.m. personally answering the flood of emails. "People are so passionate about the JetBlue brand and the JetBlue story. They are very protective of it," Hayes says. "I see that as a good thing." Hayes, 48, was chosen in September to replace outgoing CEO Dave Barger. He is more receptive to investors than Barger, but JetBlue prides itself on doing right by workers and passengers. So, following the lead of his predecessors, Hayes flies to Orlando, Florida every two weeks to welcome new hires at the airline's orientation and training program. And while he's cramming more seats into planes, the passengers sitting in them will be getting larger TV screens and almost three times as many channels. Perhaps it helps that Hayes has always had a love of travel. Growing up in London, the oldest of three kids, Hayes would create make-believe train timetables. "As a kid, you know about all these places but have never been. It's just a way of pretending that you are there," he says. Fascinated with the London Underground, Hayes could tell people the quickest way from one station to another — and suggest where to stand on the platform to line up perfectly with each station's unique exit. But flying ended up his true love. Hayes wouldn't take to the sky until he was 18 — a trip with his then girlfriend to Greece. He was hooked. In his first job out of school, Hayes spent a summer working at Boston's Logan International Airport. From 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., he would deliver liquor, cigarettes and other duty free items to passengers boarding flights. As one jet after another departed across the ocean, Hayes remained at the airport. That solidified his thirst for travel. With a degree in electrical engineering, Hayes spent a year designing military cockpit avionic systems. He missed interacting with people and quickly found himself working the ticket counter and gates in Glasgow, Scotland, for British Airways. There were some hiccups along the way. Still new to the company, Hayes was boarding flights at two adjacent gates when he accidentally sent a man who was supposed to fly domestically within Scotland to Germany without a passport. "I got into a bit of trouble for that, but they didn't fire me," he says. "Mistakes are the best way to learn. My frustration is when people make a mistake and don't want to share it with other people." Hayes would spend 19 years at British Airways. He met his wife Sue, another British Airways executive, while they were both working at the company's London headquarters. Today they are married and live in Connecticut with their three children. In 2008, while Hayes was British Airways' executive in charge of operations in North and South America, JetBlue offered him the job of chief commercial officer. While weighing the offer, Hayes and his family took a vacation, flying home on JetBlue. Waiting for pizza at the Phoenix airport, his wife mentioned to a JetBlue pilot in the same line that she was a fan of the English soccer team Manchester City. During the boarding process, the pilot made an announcement welcoming everybody, including Manchester City fans, to the airplane. Hayes recalls his wife saying: "That's an amazing culture for someone to do that. I think you should go work for them." Hayes eventually became president in 2014. Two years earlier, he became an American citizen, a prerequisite to becoming a U.S. airline CEO, although he says that had nothing to do with the decision. British Airways focuses on long-distance flights and caters to business travelers who buy expensive, last-minute tickets. JetBlue is the opposite; its average flight is 1,088 miles — the distance between New York and Miami. Most passengers are on vacation, escaping chilly Northeast cities to the warmth of Florida, the Caribbean and increasingly Latin America. Those routes, however, don't command high airfares. For every 1,000 miles JetBlue flew last year, it collected an average of $119 for each available seat. By that same measure, Southwest Airlines took in $135, United Airlines saw $137, American Airlines had $140 and Delta Air Lines led the industry with $146. JetBlue's passengers flew a combined 37.8 billion miles last year. Getting the same revenue out of each seat as Southwest does would have brought in an extra $615 million, at an airline whose profit last year was $401 million. Hayes doesn't expect to match the other airlines, but he wants to come much closer. While JetBlue will start charging for bags this spring, Hayes is quick to point out other amenities. There will be the new TV screens with up to 100 channels of live TV, free Wi-Fi and power outlets. Passengers will hopefully pay more — JetBlue does command a $10-to-$15 premium on leisure routes — for a better experience and to enjoy those freebies. Hayes is also working on his own makeover. He's a very detail- oriented person and wants to take a step back. Right now, every time a flight is delayed more than two hours, he gets an email about the delay and what type of compensation was given to passengers. Then there is his wardrobe. Hayes isn't a slob but he's also far from the typical buttoned-up CEO. He only recently got a new pair of dress shoes because one of his executive vice presidents noted the ones on his feet were falling apart. "I'm trying to look more the part but that's quite hard," Hayes says. "My shirt comes out a lot, so people remind me to tuck it in." __ Scott Mayerowitz can be reached at http://twitter.com/GlobeTrotScott. News Topics: Business, General news, Travel, Lifestyle, Airlines, Passenger airlines, Low cost airlines, Transportation and shipping, Industrial products and services, Industries, Air travel, Budget travel People, Places and Companies: Jetblue Airways Corp, Southwest Airlines Co, United Continental Holdings Inc, Delta Air Lines Inc, Robin Hayes, Scotland, Manchester, London, United States, Florida, Latin America and Caribbean, United Kingdom, Western Europe, Europe, England, North America, Connecticut Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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The top 10 cruise holidays in Greece

At just 6.4km long and 21.4 metres wide the Corinth Canal might not be as impressive as the Suez or Panama, but it’s no less interesting. SeaDream Yacht Club’s 112-passenger SeaDream I is one of very few ships that can squeeze through its narrow man ...

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Greek carrier to launch direct Athens-Tallinn flights next June

The airline will operate the route with a 168-seat Airbus 320. The seasonal service will run from June 20 until September 15, with flights departing from ...

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Aegean Airlines Invests 300 Million Euros in New Aircraft

One year has passed since the merger of Aegean Airlines and historic Olympic Air and the former presented its plans for the future. Among others, Aegean Airlines Vice President Eftihis Vasilakis underlined that the company is entering a new growth orbit, investing 300 million euros for the purchase of seven brand new Airbus 320s within the next two years. Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of one year since the merger with Olympic Air, Vasilakis said that the two companies covered a network of 120 destinations in 33 countries with 13 million available seats, 1.2 million more compared with the pre-merger period. He also said that the airline currently owns a 50 aircraft fleet, two technical hangars, employs 2,400 people and recorded a passenger traffic of 9.8 million. The Greek airline has also scheduled a radical renewal of its fleet through an international tender, with priority to be given to aircraft bought in 2007. The company aims to raise its fleet to 70 aircraft by 2023, covering 350 destinations, with a passenger traffic of 15 million. Furthermore, Vasilakis confirmed Aegean Airlines’ interest in Cyprus Airways commenting that: “We are interested in the development of Cyprus and the development of Greece through Cyprus.” The company’s annual turnover is 920 million euros and its contribution to the state economy through taxes and air duties on 2014 reached 280 million euros, from 248 million euros in 2013. As Vasilakis noted, the airline company also made a large contribution to the country’s promotion and growth of tourism. According to a research on Greek tourism conducted by the Anna Euro Foundation earlier this month, Aegean Airlines tended to be the airline of choice for tourists entering the country and sold 216,771 seats just in August.

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