Uniworld-Egypt

[jpalbny]

Jerash is great but Petra is amazing. Enjoy!

[fred111]

Jerash was unbelievable.  Better than Ephesus.  Petra today and tomorrow.  Packing now.

[jpalbny]

Glad you liked it. We added it on as an afterthought on our last day as it wasn't in our original itinerary. Boy, are we glad that we did!

[fred111]

I must say that the agent Uniworld uses in Egypt is outstanding.  We are arriving a day late for our tour so I have been in contact with them for a couple of months to insure that we are met at the airport and all the optional tours are taken care of.  They answer emails quickly and professionally.  Looking forward to meeting them in a couple of days.

[Gracie115]

On ‎11‎/‎16‎/‎2018 at 8:43 PM, fred111 said:

I must say that the agent Uniworld uses in Egypt is outstanding.  We are arriving a day late for our tour so I have been in contact with them for a couple of months to insure that we are met at the airport and all the optional tours are taken care of.  They answer emails quickly and professionally.  Looking forward to meeting them in a couple of days.

This is great news, we don't plan to arrive late but just to know that they are responding to you quickly is reassuring.  

 

Would love to hear about your experience at Petra, we will be there a year from now!!

[fred111]

Sorry I haven't been able to write day by day.  Uniworld conducts the most amazing tour in Egypt.  Totally super!!!!  Our tour guide, Ossama, was the absolute professional.  The ship and her staff were top notch.  We leave Egypt at 3:15 tomorrow morning so I will write when we get home.

[jpalbny]

Glad to hear! Have a safe and relaxing trip home despite the painfully early departure hour. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.

[sawtooth]

Great to hear you had a wonderful trip in the hands of Uniworld.

Our trip is approaching.  1/29 in Jordon, starting in Cairo 2/2/19.

Uniworld, here we come.

[zelker]

fred111 - so good to read such positive posts.  Looking forward to further comments.  Curious what cabin # you were in?  

 

[fred111]

OK.  Here goes. 

 

We arrived in Cairo on the 18th (one day after the cruise officially started) since we were on a tour of Israel and Jordan.  We were met at the airport as soon as we got off the plane by a representative who took us through the passport and customs lines and straight to the van.  We arrived at the Four Seasons about 10:30 at night and went to our rooms since we had an 2:30 wakeup call for an early flight to Luxor.  

 

That morning, our Egyptologist, Ossama, met us and briefed us on the tour.  We travel a lot and have had many tour guides, but, without a doubt, Ossama was the best ever.  Knowledgeable, personable, and professional; he went out of his way to help everyone enjoy the trip.

 

The flight to Luxor was uneventful but the Egyptian airports have some rules which are "different".  First, you must put everything through a scanner before entering the terminal building.  Then seating for the flight is given as you check in.  Then you go through security again and board in do discernable order.  The planes are well maintained and the flight attendants are very good.

 

Arriving in Luxor we went to our buses.  There were two groups of about 25 each.  The buses were large, comfortable, and had plenty of leg room.  

 

First stop was the Temple at Karnak.  I won't describe each temple/site since the information is online.  Ossama did a great job explaining the Temple and its background.

[fred111]

After spending a couple of hours at the Temple, we drove to the River Tosca, which was docked a few minutes away.  We had an easy check in and were met with wet towels, and cold drinks.  Our bags were already in our rooms and we were escorted to them by staff.  We were in room 214 which was in the middle deck near the stairs, on the starboard side.

 

The ship is in superb condition.  Rooms were large and bathrooms more than adequate.  There is plenty of storage space in the room and the beds are very comfortable.  Also important -- the blackout curtains worked well.

 

This was our 13th Uniworld cruise so we had some high expectations for the ship and the crew and all were exceeded!!  Every staff member was friendly and helpful.  The food was outstanding, even our Thanksgiving lunch, which was a surprise to many.  I can't say enough good things about this part of the trip.

 

If anyone has specific questions, I will try to answer.

[fred111]

Entertainment on the ship was all local.  Belly dancer and "whirling guy" (I forget the real name) one night.  Local musicians and dancers another.  Essential oils class.  Cooking class.  Lectures several times.  We went to some and didn't go to others.  We enjoyed the ones we went to but enjoyed sleep also.  

 

The bar on the ship was outstanding.  Wines tended to be local, some good and some not to my liking but that is personal preference.   My wife said the bartender made a great Cosmo.  

 

Laundry service was the best we have ever had on any cruise ship.  Fast, well done, and they followed instructions.

[fred111]

The river level on the Nile was low so we had a few changes that did not substantly effect the itinerary.  We could not dock in Dendra due to the low level so took buses to the site.  It was a two hour bus ride each way but the time went quickly.  The site was a definite "must see".  After our return to the ship we visited the Luxor Temple.  

 

Sailing on the river is done during the day (usually).  It was great sitting on the upper deck, on a comfortable lounge chair, with a gin and tonic, watching the world go by.

 

 

[fred111]

 

The Valley of the Kings was amazing especially if you start off with the optional hot air balloon ride.  Somehow, Uniworld books the balloon ride with the "best" company providing the service.  I believe there are eight companies and each is allowed to launch four balloons each morning. 

 

We had an early departure, 5:00am.  We took a boat across the river.  The boat provided breakfast, tea and twinkies.  Yes, I said twinkies.  Then a quick van ride to the airport in the dark.  We got to the launch site and quite a few of the balloons were already filled up and taking off.  It was dark and I don't think the passengers could see much.  Our group went to the launch site slowly and we were the next to last balloon to launch.  This was as the sun was coming up.  Great pictures!!!  Bring a video camera!!  Our pilot was super.  We were flying over the Valley of the Kings when other balloons were already on the ground.  Well worth the money and a great experience.  

 

 

[fred111]

While talking about optional tours, here is my opinion.  Hot air balloon -  A+.  Abu Simbal A+, Luxor Light and Sound show - B (it was great going into the temple after dark but there were a lot of pushy tourists who didn't know how to turn off the flashes on the cameras).  I would do it again.  We did not do the Nile River dinner since we were arriving after it was over.  I didn't hear anyone comment on the tour.

 

More later.

[Gracie115]

This is wonderful information Fred, can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!  Thank you for taking the time to post your thoughts and providing so much information.

[cormike1]

Thanks for writing about your trip Fred.  I agree with your ratings.  I was blown away by the Hot Air Balloon trip, which was not a planned part of our tour, and was so glad it was suggested.  It was neat to fly over Valley of the Kings and then once we landed, we took a bus to walk around that Site.  The whole trip for me was beyond my expectations.  Your posts bring back lots of wonderful memories.  How were the crowds because we had very little and it was so nice for our pictures with nobody in the background for a lot of them.  Thanks again.

[fred111]

Crowds were not bad.  Much less than I expected.  Tourism is on the upswing but still lower than it was before the Arab Spring.  

 

[fred111]

OK  here we go again.  

 

The river journey to Aswan was amazing.  Make sure to bring a camera with a lens that will allow you to take pictures of the camels, water buffalos, and birds along the route.  Truly unbelievable.  Our captain must have know most of the other captains on the river.  The other boats would blow horns and waive as we passed.  The only unfortunate sight on the river is the number of unused boats laying idle due to the slow tourism.

 

In Aswan, we again visited temples.  Each better than the one before.

 

We did four things of note in Aswan.  We visited Abu Simbal, had high tea at the Old Cataract Hotel, visited a Nubian village, and stopped (at the request of several passengers) at an Essential Oils factory.

 

Abu Simbal is a "must see".   Everyone on our cruise except two people went on the trip.  Uniworld had to split the group in two due to the number of airline tickets they had to get.  One group left at 5:30 in the morning and the other at 8:00.  Luckily we were in the 8 AM group.  Although, the 5:30 group had the site virtually to themselves.  The trip to the airport was short, but we again had to go through the Egypt security system which meant taking off belts, etc and getting patted down twice.  Seats are issued at check in but most people got to sit next to spouses/friends, etc.  Upon arrival at the Abu Simbal airport we went to the site and were give a quick overview by our Egyptologist and were allowed to roam the two temples at our leisure.  If you want to bring a camera into the temples, there is a 300 Egyptian Pound ticket you must get.  It is well worth it.  This is one of the few places where you need to get the photo ticket where anyone actually checks.  

 

We had about two hours on site and had to leave for a 1:00 pm flight.  We actually left for the airport at 12:40 and arrived there at 12:50.  Needless to say, this is a tourist flight and they held it until everyone was on board.  The Uniworld tour guides really know their stuff and let us stay at the temples until the last possible minute.  Great planning.

[fred111]

High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel was on Thanksgiving Day and quite a surprise.  We had tables overlooking the Nile.  Tea, coffee and pastries were served and we watched the sun go down as boats moved along the river.  Very nice stop and a great way to end the day.

 

The Nubian village trip was not what I expected.  I thought it would be a "tourist stop" when they would be selling stuff nobody needs.  In reality, we took a small boat up the Nile through the cataracts and looked for birds.  We were guided by a trained ornithologist.  Great picture taking opportunity.  At the village we went to a large house where the owners kept pet crocodiles.  We traveled back to the Tosca as the sun was setting and had great views.  

 

The other interesting stop was one that was not planned.  The Essential Oils factory/store sold oils, perfumes and hand made glass perfume bottles.  I had been to Egypt before and brought back perfume bottles for people at work but these were much better quality.  The oils were good and much cheaper than in the states.  They also shipped.  We received our box yesterday and everything came in unbroken.

[fred111]

From Aswan, we had another early morning flight.  This time to Cairo for the last two days of the trip.

 

From the airport in Cairo, we had several options.  You could go to the hotel (and wait several hours until rooms were ready).  You could go on an optional tour to the Coptic area or you could ask the Uniworld rep to set up a different itinerary.  That is what we did.  Since we missed the first day, which included the Egypt Museum, we asked them to arrange a trip there for us.  They provided a van, a driver, and an Egyptologist to guide us through the museum.  The price was much lower than I thought it would be and was very reasonable.  After the museum, we were driven to the hotel in time to check into our room.

 

There are two Four Seasons Hotels in Egypt.  The first day in country we were at the newer one.  Due to a large expo in country, we stayed at the Hotel in the Giza area the second part of the trip.  Both hotels were super.  Due to the change, the Four Seasons set up a free dinner that night for after the Pyramid/Sphinx Light Show but we were to tired to start eating a two hour dinner at 9:00 PM.  We just ordered room service and tried to catch up on some sleep.  Best hamburger ever!!!

 

The last full day in country we again left early for the pyramids and the sphinx and beat the crowds.  People who wanted to were able to enter either the large pyramid (350 EGP) or the middle pyramid (Uniworld paid).  Also people who wanted to took camel rides ($10 + $1 tip).  Great photos.  Uniworld took a group photo which they gave us later.

 

Next stops were Memphis and the Step Pyramid.  I must say, we were not pressured by vendors anywhere during the trip until we got to the Step Pyramid.  A good firm NO finally got them moving onto other tourists.

 

We had a 7:40 flight out the next morning and Uniworld had us leaving at 3:30.  They guided us all the way through the maze at the airport and got us all the way to final security.  A great job!!!

 

 

[fred111]

My final thoughts on the trip.  Uniworld did an A One job.  Top quality in all respects.  Their staff went out of their way to help.  

Now is the time to visit Egypt.  Crowds are still low.  The country is safe and they love tourists!  Everywhere we went kids stopped to talk and were happy to meet Americans.  

 

Be prepared for early wake ups because it is better to tour in the early mornings and late afternoons when it is cooler.

 

Bring a good, easy to carry camera.  I felt sorry for people lugging around ipads, using them to take pictures.

 

Bring some tip money.  A dollar goes a long way.  Uniworld gives everyone an envelop full of 5 EGP notes for bathroom tips.

 

Have fun.  It is a great trip of a lifetime.

[Gracie115]

7 hours ago, fred111 said:

My final thoughts on the trip.  Uniworld did an A One job.  Top quality in all respects.  Their staff went out of their way to help.  

Now is the time to visit Egypt.  Crowds are still low.  The country is safe and they love tourists!  Everywhere we went kids stopped to talk and were happy to meet Americans.  

 

Be prepared for early wake ups because it is better to tour in the early mornings and late afternoons when it is cooler.

 

Bring a good, easy to carry camera.  I felt sorry for people lugging around ipads, using them to take pictures.

 

Bring some tip money.  A dollar goes a long way.  Uniworld gives everyone an envelop full of 5 EGP notes for bathroom tips.

 

Have fun.  It is a great trip of a lifetime.

Thank you again for all the wonderful information....we have 11 months to wait but are already excited!!

[jklc123]

I also enjoyed reading this, fred111. We loved the Tosca, too, and all the staff. We didn't receive the bathroom tip envelope, a good addition. In my comment card at the end of the trip, I suggested staying at a hotel in Giza instead of the Cairo Four Seasons again, which would have eliminated travel time in the horrendous Cairo traffic, which we did twice, for the evening sound and light pyramid show, and then back the next day for Memphis, Saqqara and the pyramids.  You were lucky you got to stay at the older Four Seasons. Thanks for sharing your marvelous trip with us!

 

PS At the Old Cataract Hotel, I think you had a cream tea. High tea is an early evening meal with cooked food, bread and tea.

[fred111]

I liked the Four Seasons Giza also.  Much more convenient for travelling to sites the last two days.  You might be right about the tea but they called it high tea.  I was really looking for a good gin and tonic.