How safe is Eygpt/Israel ect

[Jamfostgri]

hi, not even been my first cruise yet but am already looking to next years. Pretty much I can go the last two weeks of April (Canaries, Red Sea, Eygpt & Israel or Aegean) or the last to weeks of July (Arctic Affair, Adriactic, Aegean, Turkey or black sea).

Where is your favourite place to cruise

You can use the poll or simply write on your message.

 

How safe are the excursions in Eygpt and Israel

I've heard of Armed Guards and them turning on us, how true are these stories?

 

Edit: Can't find the poll thing!

[Keith1010]

We have felt very safe in Israel.

 

Keith

[Grez]

You've heard of armed guards turning on passengers? Where? Israel/Egypt very safe for tourists, and also pretty safe for the people that live there.

[kalos]

hi, not even been my first cruise yet but am already looking to next years.

 

Where is your favourite place to cruise

You can use the poll or simply write on your message.

 

This was done not to long ago by Sailaway who did some great work on this site .( we're missing you :()

 

Here is a link to one of his polls

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1786201

 

Hope you find a great cruise for when you go on your first one :D

[kruzseeka]

Yes they do have armed escorts in Egypt but that is the norm and I haven't heard of problems with these although there might well have been an incident. In our experience the Egyptian people seem very grateful to especially the British tourists who have continued to go there. Periodically Thomson have pulled the odd destination from the itnieraries when necessary. None of us can predict how situations may change but Thomson will respond to local situations and wouldn't take trips out if there were serious concerns.

 

As for other cruise destinations, there are lots of fantastic places to visit and we've never had a disappointing itinerary with Thomson - that's one thing they do very well - port-intensive and good ports of call. However I think for the best collection of 'big hitters' the Adriatic takes some beating.

 

The Black Sea, Turkey and Aegean itineraries are all great though; Istanbul, Santorini are stunning - don't worry you will have plenty to go at in the future whichever you choose. ;)

[Jamfostgri]

You've heard of armed guards turning on passengers? Where? Israel/Egypt very safe for tourists, and also pretty safe for the people that live there.

 

It was def somewhere touristy in the middle east, but may have been Dubai.

[barnowl1950]

Hi kruzseeka I know you love the Caribbean cruises and Adriatic Explorer....if it's not a silly question can I ask if you had the choice of one, which would you go for? Thanks :)

[WeeCountyMan]

Is this relevant ?

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21703560

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18277949

 

Travelling on your own may not be such a clever idea in Egypt.

 

Israel is a different prospect, assuming you stay away from the obvious flashpoints near Gaza etc. - been twice and would go back without any reservations.

[kruzseeka]

Hi kruzseeka I know you love the Caribbean cruises and Adriatic Explorer....if it's not a silly question can I ask if you had the choice of one, which would you go for? Thanks :)

 

 

Hi barnowl :) No not a silly question but perhaps not too easy to answer!

 

You are right - I love both but have to say after last year's Caribbean we can't wait to get back! I think it might have something to do with the wet, grey and somewhat depressing winter but that sunshine, warm turquoise seas and Caribbean feel good factor is hard to beat!

 

Now perhaps I should qualify that a little by saying we've loved the Caribbean each time we've gone but this year seemed particularly good perhaps because we were able to draw on past experiences and by doing a lot of reseach (posing questions on here and looking closely at Google Earth) so that we felt we'd made the best use of our time (given our preferences for how to spend a day). Before we went the first time we never thought we'd like the Caribbean and thought one island would be much like another but we love the character and variety of the islands - but it does tend to be a R&R type holiday based around at least some beach time most days.

 

It's a very different holiday from such as the Adriatic where you are surrounded by history, amazing architecture and iconic places. That itinerary we would be on the go pretty much all the time sight-seeing. So I suppose what I would say to you is that the main factor is gorgeous beaches/sunshine and Caribbean colour (not forgetting the amazing cocktails on the beach!) versus culture, architecture, history and some beautiful scenery and places.

 

I would happily do either anytime. Both are fantastic but very very different. We've done the Adriatic 3 times and the Caribbean four so you can tell they are both winners in our book! ;)

 

I hope that helps - but I'm not sure it will have! :confused: :)

[barnowl1950]

Kruzseeker thanks for taking the time to reply to my question :)... just looking ahead to next year. Adriatic Explorer sounds tempting - especially Dubrovnik -but in my mind I see tropical rainforests/gardens..want to see bananas growing, nature trails.. exotic birds/creatures as long as they're not snakes....warm turquoise sea and a curiosity about Barbados too that won't go away.

Have recently come back from IE - really liked that ship, had a comfortable cabin - we visited all the usual historical sites (got drenched in Pisa and was past caring how much the tower was leaning) so reckon it may be best to go for one of the Caribbean itineries and get it out of my system, and hubby never wants to arrange where to go as he likes me to do it all and says he's happy to go anywhere.

[kruzseeka]

Kruzseeker thanks for taking the time to reply to my question :)... just looking ahead to next year. Adriatic Explorer sounds tempting - especially Dubrovnik -but in my mind I see tropical rainforests/gardens..want to see bananas growing, nature trails.. exotic birds/creatures as long as they're not snakes....warm turquoise sea and a curiosity about Barbados too that won't go away.

Have recently come back from IE - really liked that ship, had a comfortable cabin - we visited all the usual historical sites (got drenched in Pisa and was past caring how much the tower was leaning) so reckon it may be best to go for one of the Caribbean itineries and get it out of my system, and hubby never wants to arrange where to go as he likes me to do it all and says he's happy to go anywhere.

 

 

A pleasure barnowl! :) Well as I said, the Caribbean was never on our radar until we spotted a great deal on the Destiny and flying from our local airport too (sadly never to be repeated). Never one to miss a bargain we thought at that price we'd give it a whirl - and since then have been every year bar one and we so missed not going that year! It's just such a joy to escape to the warmth and sunshine and yes - there are some very tropical islands with such different sights and colour. I love the markets too - such character. I don't think you'd be disappointed. ;)

[CRUISIN LINDA]

hubby never wants to arrange where to go as he likes me to do it all and says he's happy to go anywhere.

Sounds like my OH :rolleyes::D We are thinking we might squeeze in a week in a hotel in the sun next month, so I have been on here looking for late bargains. I found one in Majorca and went round to get the Thomson Gold brochure, so he could see the details (he's not computer literate :D:D) I showed him the brochure and said what do you think of this hotel - what did he say?

 

"If you like! As long as I'm with you!" :D

 

As regards the Caribbean, I first went, as a friend of ours said he was going and that we wouldn't go with him as we wouldn't fly that far! So I said "yes we would" and so we had to do it, but it was lovely and the flight was not as bad as I thought! At least you get films and food on the plane and plenty of legroom.

 

We've been 3 times now :)

[barnowl1950]

Hi Linda, If I show my hubby a hotel his response is Arrr, if I show him another, again it's Arrr, if I ask what do you think of that, the answer is Arrr if I ask what he would like to eat for tea usually says don't know.

 

Just asked him how tomorrow is likely to be at work (just testing) and now he won't shut up while I do this :D

 

If I decide to book something nice think I'll send him a text message while he's at work sometime when I feel like it.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Ah, but you are glad you still have him with you aren't you? :)

[barnowl1950]

Ah, but you are glad you still have him with you aren't you? :)

 

You can say that again.

I've thought of that a hundred times each day and also maybe to settle down, be thankful for everything and stop the globetrotting it's a scary thought that something could happen and so far away too. Need to think carefully. Having said that, he had a check-up at the hospital last week and was told they didn't need to see him again.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

You can say that again.

I've thought of that a hundred times each day and also maybe to settle down, be thankful for everything and stop the globetrotting it's a scary thought that something could happen and so far away too. Need to think carefully. Having said that, he had a check-up at the hospital last week and was told they didn't need to see him again.

That's great news :):)

[barnowl1950]

It is :)

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Sorry Jamfostgri, we've gone right off topic :o:o

[CC52]

How safe are the excursions in Eygpt and Israel

I've heard of Armed Guards and them turning on us, how true are these stories?

 

My first cruise included Egypt & Israel (Thomson, called Pharaohs & Promised Land) in April 11.

Didn't know what to expect but loved every minute. Being inexperienced we didn't book the Thomson trips until last minute but for Egypt & Israel some passengers told me I wasn't allowed to leave the ship unless I was booked on a Thomson trip booked with Destination Services who were keen to sell trips. Many other passengers said it was too dangerous to leave the ship.

 

I asked Destination Services to double check the passengers 'warnings'. They kept repeating "The Foreign Office does not recommend" etc but they had to concede I was allowed to leave the ship.

 

I caught a taxi in the port with 2 other passengers & our driver took us to a Museum, a beach, a cafe & a drive around the non tourist areas which were very interesting & on a ferry across the Suez Canal. It was a great experience and ended up being a bargain 3 hours. However, the driver tried to rip us off until we stood our ground and paid a 3rd of his original asking price. Fortunately, we'd caught the taxi in the port and were dropped off at the same place where guards & police were observing. After that, I booked Thomson trips for Israel.

 

I'm quite adventurous and like to make my own way at discovering new places but some Thomson trips are worthwhile & definitely better than not seeing the countries the ships call at.

[WeeCountyMan]

One thing worth checking before you visit these places is the validity of your travel insurance.

 

Since the ongoing civil war in Syria kicked off I believe cover for certain countries in the region has been under revision by some insurers.

 

Maybe somebody with more knowledge on this subject could expand ?

[kruzseeka]

One thing worth checking before you visit these places is the validity of your travel insurance.

 

Since the ongoing civil war in Syria kicked off I believe cover for certain countries in the region has been under revision by some insurers.

 

Maybe somebody with more knowledge on this subject could expand ?

 

 

Oh WCM - you're always making me think hard about things - very good thing too! I've just checked our insurance and there is a 'General Exclusion' section which does say it won't cover for war, acts of foreign enemies, hostilites or warlike operations, rebellion, terrorism etc...............!!!!!!!! But it does say this exclusion doesn't extend to emergency medical cover - which is something to be grateful for!

 

Just goes to show - it's all in the small print - again! But thanks for the heads up. :) Does make you think though! :rolleyes:

[WeeCountyMan]

Hi Kruzseeka,

 

In recent times there has been an insurrection or hostilities etc. in several countries (or parts thereof) bordering the southern and eastern Med.

 

Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria spring to mind, the latter being the worst of course.

 

Then there is the ever present situation on parts of Israel's borders.

 

Our October cruise calls in at Algiers, hence my antennae started twitching.

 

Reading the small print is well worth the time spent.