Hey guys,

I’m seriously looking into the Grand Explorer, so have been going over the advice sections/reviews ect.
So while its been covered awhile back, thought I’d been it up again.

So my question is, what’s the general consensus on the single or quad issue?
What have people’s experiences been?
Would you have gone back and changed your choice if you could?
Am thinking that the rooming arrangements might be fun for a week or so, but after awhile of the go go go Contiki life style, thinking the idea of your own room and bathroom would be looking fairly tempting?
So would I be missing out if I took the single room?

Thanks.

Hi

I stayed in a single room when I did Europe with contiki a few years ago- bc I didnt want to be stuck with a crappy roommate for 24 days- and while it was great to have peace and quiet and a bathroom to myself, I did feel like I missed out on occasions. I was the only one in a single.

So this year when I did the grand explorer I went quad share. It's not always quad share, sometimes it's 2s & 3s, and each day you sign up for a room with who ever you want. I found 3 great people to share with and we had a ball, and got plenty of time in the bathroom! Only 1 person had a single room on this trip too.

Go quad- I'm sure you'll find some similar minded people who wont drive you insane!

On avg, you'll be 3 to a room (with the occsional 2 & 4 to a room nights). The Explorer tour is a modulated tour so it will have participants from all the other Contiki NZ tours as they hop on and hop off, and as a result, the roomming situation is always changing. Go quad and get to really know your tourmmates. You'll soon find out who you prefer to room with as the tour goes on and then sign up together as the roomming sheet goes around the bus before the next destination.

- Vic

I have gone quad, cause I am travelling by myself and am really looking forward to meeting other ppl - my only issue is that I snore/breathe deeply in my sleep, so I reckon no one will want to room with me :S hehe

I went quad share on my tour and it was great. You tend to share with the same people through the tour but you also have the option to change if you want. You only need a bed to sleep in cos you dont spend much time in ya rooms.

i went quad share when i did NZ, the perk was you got to pick who you roomed with, it wasn't permanent for the whole trip. It varied from 2 to 4 to a room. it was great to get to know people! I did miss having my own space but the fun memories i have made up for it!

I did the single. I was the only female to do it, there was 2 guys doing it. It definately has pros and cons. A ton of people were jealous of having my own room, but I also did miss out on some social stuff i'm sure. I'd say do the single if you are comfortable in being along at times and not afraid to mingle w/ everyone. The rooms thing can get a bit clicky (for girls anyway) so you must be more assertive if you do a single room. Rather than getting caught up in 1 group, I mingled w/ everyone.

I did quad share. My friend and I went on the trip and only one night was I separated from her. Otherwise we roomed with the same 4-6 people the entire trip. I don't think anyone did single share on our trip. We had a few doubles. Expect a few bunk beds, it almost made it feel like camp.