Welshcruiser20

Does anyone know what the current situation is regardimg elections in Egypt?

I think it's the People's Assembly?

 

Thanks

I have been in touch with a friend over there and he tells me that the elections are completed and the Muslim Brotherhood has a majority

Andy - thanks for the great feedback on your tour. Sounds like you had an awesome time and that EPE lived up to expectations.

It was great that everyone was so helpful and friendly (except those hawkers.....I guess their incomes have taken a dive too in the recent months so it makes them more pushy)

Mohem is a fantastic guide!

As Cynthia says, these have been diffuclt days in Egypt so help them if you can.....providing the item is legal, easy to carry and not too expensive. But if you are uncomfortable it will be ok to say no and I am sure it will not affect your tour.

It's great to read the report about EPE on this thread - i have a tour booked for later this month.

Visiting Ephesus is one of my best experiences ever....loved it! Found it very emotional to see it.

I used http://turkeyprivateexcursions.com/index.html and they will tailor a tour to your needs.

They will give you a 10% discount if you mention Cruise Critic!

I was very pleased with Egypt Private Excursions overnight in Cairo 2 day tour for 2 people. We had a driver & guide to ourselves and the price was less than one person would pay for similar through ship.

 

My DH did take the camel ride and really enjoyed it. The photos are priceless.

 

We considered the felluca ride, but decided to pass on it because of time limitations/traffic and wanting to get back to Alexandria by 4pm.

 

Thanks for that info................I am glad to hear that EPE proved good value! Just what I needed to hear. Here's hoping that our itinerary doesn't get changed as I am looking forward to it so much

CruiseMom and Mikewrit

Thanks to you both for your opinions......sounds like the fellucu trip is a must do....and so is a camel ride.

Perhaps I can do both................I'll speak to Egypt Private Excursions and see if they can accomodate that

Thanks for taking the time to reply

CruiseMom42...Can i ask you a question about Egypt?

If you had the option of a camel ride or a felucca ride on your excursion...which would you choose? Obviously they are very different things....I am thinking felucca is my preference but do you think you "have" to do a camel ride when in Egypt?

Would value your opinion, thanks!

We paid us$ cash at end of first day & tipped driver & guide at end of 2 nd day.

Thanks for that - sounds a good plan!

Must get some US$ before I go.

I just got back yesterday from touring Egypt with Memphis Tours, and I am happy to report that I never felt a moment of unease the whole time I was there. In fact, quite to the contrary, because the sites are so much less crowded, I certainly was very much aware of the constant presence of police and guards everywhere I visited.

 

For a more complete answer see this post: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1432334

 

Hope this helps!

Thats a really good point that places were less crowded....I hadn't thought about that!

I'm really excited about my up and comng trip....have booked 2 day excursion with Egypt Private Excursions...they are really helpful in answering my questions. They say I can pay by credit card or cash.....what did you guys do and what would you suggest?

Oberoi Mena House and I love it. The older section is due to have some renov. done shortly ie: new a/c. Ours was fine for us and the hotel upgraded us to a pyramid view room. It did not have a balcony but the windows did open and you looked right across at the Great Pyramid, and the shops in front of it. So close.

The property is very clean and kept in good condition. The intercontinental restaurant had a very good buffet breakfast included and we didn't find any problem with the food there (but were careful and only drank bottled drinks etc). We also had our dinner there and it was very good as well.

We could not see, but could hear some of the light and sound show.

Since the day was so long we didn't use the pool. You can walk down the street to other restaurants and shops easily.

I heard people at the Cairo Marriott got sick from the food/drinks there. (of course, I cannot verify this).

Thanks for the name of that hotel and it sounds great. It's always good to have a first hand recommendation in places like Egypt. Thanks a lot....I'm going to have a look at their website now

we were extremely pleased with this company. samir was our guide for overnight 2 day for 2 people. we had a private a/c van (new). seating for driver, guide and 9 passengers.

no security and no caravan. we left at 7:15am and went off. felt very safe until last 1/2 hour in Alexandria when a fight broke out. man threw clay potted plant at car in parkinglot along waterfront, car chased man and others, driving erratically it came within a foot of hitting our van. driver had dh and guide get back in van and got us out of there. this fight broke out very quickly and crowd gathered. not a nice end to a wonderful 2 days.

am willing to answer any questions you have.

Hi dog, can you tell me what hotel you stayed at? What was it like?

i had to my cruise on ncl this year because for me Egypt was a must. i think the situation is beginning to get back to normal and cruise ships began to head to Egypt again. i hope all cruise ships put Egypt on the list again

Cruise companies are now starting to go back to Egypt .....so let's hope things are really on the up for them there.

Support the local companies as much as you can......they have lost several months' worth of income

Egypt Private Excursions......here I come!!

I've read on these boards that HAL is reinstating some of its calls in Egypt. Now that the US has lifted their travel warning, others may be reconsidering. Keep in mind it is not easy logistically for ships to change their itineraries, so often there is some lag before changes are announced.

I think we should show our support for the Egyptian people by returning as soon as it is deemed safe. So many there working in the tourism industry must be having a very difficult time right now.

I have had to cancel my tours with Egypt Private Excursion as my cruise itinerary has changed but I have promised to rebook as soon as I get on a cruise going to Egypt. They were very understanding and easy to deal with.

some of my friends said that cruise lines began heading for Egypt. of of them is ncl. is that true???

 

thanks

terry

Not sure that NCL are going in the near future.....but I'm sure they will get back as soon as they feel it's safe.

I'll be rebooking my cruise then.....and rebooking my tour with Egypt Private Excursions. They are great to do business with.

Yes, I used them for a day tour in Alexandria in September. I enjoyed the day immensely and arranged to have them give me a "light" day tour in Cairo at the start of my most recent cruise. They were excellent in providing suggestions of what might interest me (having spent a fair amount of time in Cairo already), and I ended up doing a walking tour of the wonderfully restored Islamic street near the Khan el Khalili bazaar called Al Muizz el-Din. It is a fascinating mix of ancient mosques, mausoleums, sabils (water houses), and even a few traditional houses. We also visited the Gayer-Anderson museum. It was a very interesting day.

Hi Cruisemom, who was your guide? would you recommend them.......it's always good to ask for a person by name if you know they will give you a good tour! I think it's the guide who is turns a good tour into a great day!

Did you do the pyramids on this tour? or had you done them before? I did them last time so am looking for new ideas.....I assume EPE just tailor-made a tour to suit you?

Thanks is advance for your help.

Highly recommended by me too.....and I am planning on using them again when I visit in April