south park

Love your writing - you summed up this Cruise to perfection. Dar Le was one of our favorite servers too - always a smile on her face and helped my mom carry plates of food to the table. So glad to have met you and Herb.  If you head up to LA let me know!

I did book a private excursion for my mom and me with Ramses Tours.  We booked the tour from Safaga for the 2 day with overnight in Luxor. 

I worked with Nada Yehia on putting the trip together.  Nada was very easy to work with and responsive. 

Day 1

Our guide was Hassan Ashour and the driver Moustafa. They were waiting by the ship with a sign when we disembarked. 

We were in a Toyota 4 door vehicle.  

The guide provided information about Luxor and Egypt as we traveled but did allow us some time for napping. 

We visited Karnak first then Luxor.  Our guide was a wealth of information and with the crowds at the temples, we easily maneuvered around the sites; while he told us about the history of what we were seeing. 

Lunch was included both days of the tour.  We were taken to a local place and discussed our preferences with our guide. He placed the order for us.  There was a lot of food.  The chicken, rice, and white bean & tomato dishes were very good. 

After lunch we were given the option to shop with our guide or go to the hotel. We chose the hotel. 

We stayed at the Steigenberger Hotel and had a beautiful view of the Nile from our balcony. 

Dinner was on our own and we ate in the Italian restaurant in the hotel. 

Our guide suggested we meet him the next morning at 5am. He arranged to have the hotel provide a boxed breakfast to take on the road.  (We were given the option to start later but chose to go at 5.)

Day 2

Bright and early we started our day.  It was well worth waking up early. 

We saw the hot air balloons at sunrise. 

When we arrived at the Valley of the  Kings, we were the first to arrive for the day and at almost all of the tombs we visited we were the only ones inside.  The added bonus of starting early was the weather - still cool and shady. 

Next we went to Hatshepsut’s temple.  The crowds were low and we enjoyed this one too. 

Finally, it was off to the Valley of the Queens.  

Our guide did have us stop at a local alabaster store  and an oil store. We could have declined but we did not press the issue and went.  He told us to feel no obligation to buy. 

The day before, I had mentioned to the guide I liked falafel.  He surprised me with some. While at first a bit nervous to try it, I did eat it. The falafel was piping hot fresh out of the oil.  So I took the chance. Glad I did, it was delicious and I was fine. 

After this morning of touring the guide offered to take us to additional locations but we were tired so we asked to go back to the ship.  We were on the ship by 2:30pm. 

Additional information 

The cost per person for the tour which included guide, driver, hotel, Luxor, Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hateshput’s temple, Valley of the Queens, two lunches, and breakfast was $320. 

There were additional fees for Tutankhamun’s Tomb $20, Nefertari and Seti tombs were  each $100.  

Downside

Only downside, I think there was a problem for the driver to get back down to the ship. So, they dropped us off at the main port terminal and the guide walked us down to the ship and carried our things.  Perhaps if we had nudged them they would have tried harder but after the 3 hour drive back, we were fine with walking. 
 

Visit in Cyprus was wonderful. It included a tour of the countryside and brunch at a local farm.  All of the offerings at brunch were from the farm - jams, homemade breads, and eggs. 

Here are a few additional photos from Malta. 

Sunrise from the 12th deck this morning. 
 

Looking forward to dinner with Flossie009 this evening. 

I too have been working with Nada on our overnight tour to Luxor from Safaga.  Nada is responsive and easy to work with.  Will post an update on the tour afterwards. 

Kelly

I too have been working with Nada on our overnight tour to Luxor from Safaga.  Nada is responsive and easy to work with.  Will post an update on the tour afterwards. 

Kelly

On 8/1/2019 at 9:06 AM, ronrick1943 said:

Thanks, we'll only be at the hotel for 4 nights and look forward to the bustle outside----it's the end of the cruise and some friends will be flying in--it will be a nice long week in.  But thanks.

RonRick

We stayed at Le Meridian. I think you will enjoy it!  Location was very convenient to things we wanted to see.  Look forward to reading all about your cruise. 

Kelly

Ron and Rick -

Sounds like you're off to a fantastic start. Wish I were there to join you at Spring Deer. It was a definite highlight when we were in Hong Kong last October. Thank you again for the recommendation. Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip. 

Kelly 

Love your post!

Ronrick1943 - Great meeting you two at the muster drill today.

Looking forward to reading the rest of your trip report and seeing you onboard!

Just received a call from the travel agent yesterday, Regent cancelled the sailing. We were booked on this cruise. We have been offerrred the April sailing that ends in San Francisco. Have not decided if we will move to April.