Red Sea Magic Luggage Query

[790294]

Not long now:) can someone advise if luggage goes direct to the ship on this cruise or do we have to pick it up ourselves at carousel as normal?

[kruzseeka]

Not long now:) can someone advise if luggage goes direct to the ship on this cruise or do we have to pick it up ourselves at carousel as normal?

 

 

Can't remeber having our luggage taken directly to the ship at Sharm. The only destination I can think this happens is the Caribbean itineraries.

[merciaman]

No, you collect it yourselves as normal,and Sharm is the worst run airport you will ever visit.When we went it was pure luck where your luggage came out and we were running from carousel to carousel trying to find them.They eventually came through with luggage from a Dortmund flight.

[geomagot]

and if anyone asks you to pay for a visa, you (firmly) don’t need a visa for cruise, if anyone offers to carry/help with your luggage/opens a door/does anything at all for you, they will want a tip even the security guards who are there to help you will still want a tip, Sharm airport is a little 'disorganised' especially if there is a Russian flight in at the same time, Thoms rep will be in the arrivals hall to help you onto the coach, once at the ship your bags are offloaded/scanned and portered to your cabin.

 

hope this helps

[WeeCountyMan]

In over 50 years of regular tourist holidays since I was a laddie I've only ever had my luggage tampered with once - guess where ?

 

Don't leave any valuables of any kind in your checked in baggage at Sharm el Shiek airport.

 

Mrs WCM had her cosmetics case emptied and my camera was taken.

 

The brass padlocks were ripped off - I suspect their presence attracts attention - we now use black plastic cable ties through the eyes of the zip fastener ends.

[Brewscruise]

Silly question but if you use cable ties and you can't take scissors in your hand luggage, how do you cut off the ties when you get to the ship, I've thought about it but couldn't see how to get round that. :o

[davecttr]

Silly question but if you use cable ties and you can't take scissors in your hand luggage, how do you cut off the ties when you get to the ship, I've thought about it but couldn't see how to get round that. :o

I had that problem :o:o:o

 

I believe you can take nail clippers which will do the job

 

Or ask the steward

[WeeCountyMan]

Silly question but if you use cable ties and you can't take scissors in your hand luggage, how do you cut off the ties when you get to the ship, I've thought about it but couldn't see how to get round that. :o

 

We put a small pair of nail clippers in the small external pocket of checked in luggage, inside a cloth pouch.

 

Or as Dave says the cabin steward can oblige - same at hotels, somebody can oblige.

 

Wasn't aware you could take nail clippers in hand luggage as Dave suggests - need to check that out.

[WeeCountyMan]

I had that problem :o:o:o

 

I believe you can take nail clippers which will do the job

 

Or ask the steward

 

Gents - I checked Glasgow Airport security guide online.

 

No specific mention of nail clippers, either banned or permitted.

 

However, small scissors are allowed, as long as the cutting blades are no longer than 60mm from the fulcrum (pivot pin).

 

I have a small pair of folding craft/sewing scissors that I found in a specialist ironmongery store. Ideal for cutting cable ties and (going by above) can be carried in hand luggage.

 

I'll see if I can upload a photo later.

 

Presumably this is government guidelines which will apply at all UK airports ?

[790294]

Can't remeber having our luggage taken directly to the ship at Sharm. The only destination I can think this happens is the Caribbean itineraries.

 

That's what I thought, have been to Sharm El Sheik 3 times but had this vague recollection that cruise customers were separated upon arrival and didn't need to pick up their cases. I agree that it is a disorganised airport plus they try and squeeze every penny out of you when checking in on return, weighing hand luggage as well. Last time we were there, check in chappie announced we were due excess baggage fees:(. I protested as we actually were coming back with less and were not overweight at Glasgow on outward flight:mad: He asked me how much hand luggage I had I told him one and was told to put it on the scales (he didn't ask Mrs G so we didn't tell him she had a bag). He grudgingly let us go. Weighed cases as soon as we got home and we were not overweight!

Regarding case tampering someone on this forum (a while back) posted a link to an excellent video showing how easy it is to get into a case with a pen and resealing the zip so it's not immediately evident that your case has been tampered with:eek:. I put cable ties through the padlock and case handle to prevent the zip clasps being moved, wont stop someone getting in but you can see straight away if it's been tampered with. Don't keep any valuables in luggage anyway though.

Thanks for replies:)

[okavango]

Thoms rep will be in the arrivals hall to help you onto the coach, once at the ship your bags are offloaded/scanned and portered to your cabin.

 

hope this helps

 

thats half the problem there Thomsons own staff arn't allowed in the airport (or even outside i think) so you have a bunch of egyption goons running the show for them, true about the scroungers trying to prise money out of you ,last year recall some bozo trying it on just for pulling your case out of the coach locker, it quickly became self service

[geomagot]

so you have a bunch of egyption goons running the show for them

 

Yep, and if you tip those goons even with just a single cigarette or a couple of sweets they suddenly become the most helpful people on the planet and can speak perfect english all of a sudden too:cool:

[WeeCountyMan]

Ref. nail clippers etc. for cutting cable ties - this saves me posting a photo.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-Folding-Pocket-Pointed-Travel-Scissors-Compact-Makeup-Purse-Bag-IN-CASE-/220970570437?pt=UK_Crafts_Sewing_Supplies_MJ&hash=item3372df52c5

 

Thomsons advise me such items would be considered sharp objects (now there's a revelation) and would be confiscated at airport security.

 

That's not what is advised here though.

 

http://www.glasgowairport.com/glasgow-airport-guide/airport-security

 

Confused. :confused:

[wkdsal]

We are doing a week in a hotel first (going on 22 Nov not long now :D) with thomsons then the red sea magic, does anyone know if we need a visa for that?

Dont mind paying for service or something thats needed, but dont like getting ripped off either. Thats why we cruise with thomsons you know what you are going to get!

Thanks

[790294]

You do not need a visa if you remain in the Sinai peninsula and you don't need a visa if you are going on a cruise from Sharm El Sheik so I think you would not need one. You will be pressured into getting one but stand fast and refuse, write Sinai only/cruise on your arrival card. You only need visa if you leave the Sinai by road/air (or rail if any?) we needed one to visit Cairo and Luxor flying from Sharm el Sheik.

[wkdsal]

Thanks 790294, might see you on board, getting dead excited now :D

[790294]

Look out for us wkdsal we are in cabin 344 on deck 4 See you aboard

 

Sandra and Joe

[wkdsal]

We are in cabin 667 on deck 2, only 2 more sleeps till we go now!

Sally and Pete

[790294]

Hi Sally and Pete

Have a great first week. See you on 29th we arrive at Sharm about 4ish Egypt time so some time after that at ship. Probably straight to Horizon for a cocktail lol

[wkdsal]

Not sure what time we get on board, dont know about transfers from the hotel but will head up to horizons as well sounds like an excellent plan