I've done quite a lot of organised tours solo. I've never ticked "willing to share". I thoroughly enjoy mixing during the day (and I've made a few friends I keep in touch with) but I need privacy to relax in the evenings and nights, without having to put up with someone else's eccentricities (or they mine). One company that I've done seven tours with has a policy that if you tick "willing to share" and they can't pair you up you get single rooms without paying the single supplement. On none of those seven tours has there been another single of my gender willing to share, so I sometimes reflect on how much I'd have saved if I'd ticked that box!

I don't mind paying 10% or 20% as a single supplement, but on principle avoid tours where it's more than that. In many cases it's 30 or 40%, and some (especially cruises) are 70% or even an outrageous 100%.

You could make a lifelong friend by ticking "willing to share". The chances are higher though that it will spoil your holiday. And you'd probably still make that friendship if you weren't sharing accommodation on the tour.

If you do want a group tour, Overseas Adventure Travel has good deals for singles (sometimes free supplement): http://www.oattravel.com/Trips/2011/...nder-2011.aspx

You can also see who you end up rooming with once you arrive. If you don't get along, maybe you'll connect w/ another traveler & see if the roommate pairings can be switched. If that still doesn't work, ask for your own room at that point. I've seen travelers do it on group trips I've taken. The guides usually don't care who rooms w/ whom as long as everyone is happy.

If you are looking for something cheaper, why don't you look into "budget" instead of first class tour? The difference is basically in the hotel class - first or tourist.

To look up the difference, I like affordabletours.com website.