Finding a cruise roommate Q After reading last week's Travel Q&A, I have another question about cruising alone. I would like to know how to find a roommate. I'm not concerned about traveling alone, but don't want to incur the cost of a cabin by myself. Any suggestions?

A The single supplement -- the fee cruise lines charge solo travelers for occupying a room intended for two -- can be onerous. Your willingness to share a room means you may be able to escape it. According to CruiseCritic.com, both Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines and Holland America will try to find you a same-sex roommate. Ask when you book; if they succeed, the supplement will be waived. Of course, if they fail, you'll still incur the charge. CruiseCritic also suggests checking out TravelChums.com, a website dedicated to pairing like-minded single travelers on all kinds of trips. SinglesCruise.com offers sailings for singles of all ages and will seek to find cabin mates for those who want them.

KERRI WESTENBERG

THIS JUST IN

New stops for Sun CountrySun Country Airlines' flying schedule for summer includes new stops at Washington's Reagan National Airport and London's Gatwick Airport. When the airline added London to its schedule for the first time last year, flights headed to outlying Stansted Airport. Gatwick is more central. London flights begin May 27 and end Sept. 3. The D.C. flights -- which make a stop in Lansing, Mich. -- begin April 1 and will be offered year-round. Flights to Anchorage, Boston, San Francisco, New York and Seattle/Tacoma are set to resume in April and May. For exact dates or to book, go to www.suncountry.com.

KERRI WESTENBERG

WEB WATCH

Rating the airlinesThe Department of Transportation already keeps track of airlines' on-time performance and baggage handling records. But when we want to know how they're really doing, we need to ask the people: the TripAdvisor reviewers, that is. Earlier this month, the website added airlines to its public opinion forum, allowing travelers to rank dozens of carriers on TripAdvisor.com/Flights, its meta-search engine. Passengers can rate airlines in eight categories, including baggage handling, in-flight amenities and reasonableness of fees. When searching for a flight, simply click on the name of the carrier and the rating pops up. In addition to the ratings, the site added another feature: displaying the cost including one checked bag. If you're signed on as a member, you can submit your own rating.

WASHINGTON POST

TRAVEL TIP

Book spring break trips nowTravel Leaders, a nationwide travel agency chain based in Eden Prairie, reports that because more people are traveling at spring break this year, trips will likely cost more. The upshot: Book now, if you haven't already. A survey of Travel Leader agents also found that most non-cruise bookings are for international destinations -- specifically, Mexico and the Caribbean. Mexico is a good value, and it is safe provided travelers avoid the areas that border the United States and stay in tourist areas. (Mazatlan is the one exception; according to the U.S. State Department, the city has experienced an increase in violent crime, with more murders in the first quarter of 2010 than in all of 2009).

KERRI WESTENBERG

ON DECK

2011 will be a year to cruiseThe seas are expected to be more crowded with a 6.6 increase in cruise passengers this year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. That amounts to 16 million cruisers.

WASHINGTON POST

SIDEROADS

Hot Air Affair over St. CroixColorful balloons will fill the sky over the St. Croix River Valley during the Hot Air Affair next weekend in Hudson, Wis. On Friday, visitors can try geocaching and watch a night parade followed by fireworks over the river. On Saturday and Sunday, balloonists will compete in races (launches are set for 7:30 a.m. both days). Other activities include a 5K race, mass ascensions, kite demonstrations, a smoosh board contest, chili cook-off and a benefit concert (1-888-247-2332; www.hudsonhotairaffair.com).

COLLEEN A. COLES