Seabourn excursions in Egypt

[galeforce9]

Has anyone done.a Seabourn excursion from Safaga to Luxor.  How was it in terms of sites visited/length/cost?

 

Also what are the excursion options from Sharm El Sheikh.   
 

Last  time we did the 18 night Athens to Dubai we sailed straight past Egypt due to terror incidents. 

Thank you 

Edited November 10, 2022 by galeforce9

[alainciao]

I see no one has responded so I will even though it was 2013.  We did the overnight to Luxor from the Quest and it was a great experience.  I would never do the one day.  We saw several sights that I can't recall the specifics off hand, but it was a very full two days.  Of course, the bus ride is over 3 hours from Safaga.  We went to both sides of the river to the major sites.  Stayed at the St George which is a very nice hotel.  We had to cancel an Istanbul to Singapore cruise that is current on the Regent Explorer and had planned to do the same overnight again. The cost in 2013 was very reasonable.  Now, I have no idea. Well, I do have an idea.  The Regent cost was $899pp.  Your review and photos of the Iceland/Greenland trip in 2017 led me to book that trip so I hope you find this useful.😀 

[Fletcher]

I haven't done this and if I was on a ship that offered this I would probably just stay on the ship because I've read how gruelling and rushed it is and at the Luxor end you just run into constant hassle from hawker, guides, beggars and so on.  I will be on a ship next year calling at Alexandria and won't be taking the trip to the pyramids.  Egypt is always a land or river-based destination in my view. 

[lincslady]

I sort of agree with Fletcher, but if this is your only chance of seeing Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings I would do it - definitely the two day trip.  It is many years since I was there, and it was the height of summer, so hardly any tourists around; no river cruise ships etc., and dreadfully hot, but as we had just left West Africa it felt cool!  To my mind one of the few places in the world which is once seen never forgotten, and a very important part of world history.

[galeforce9]

Thank you everyone that has replied.   I tend to agree with you but it could be my only chance. I have been to the pyramids and Egyptian Museum on a cruise excursion from Port Said before.  It was gruelling but unforgettable.   We had an armed escort for our convoy.  It was 1996.  Looking at the Seabourn itinerary, there wouldn’t be an overnight option available. 
 

 

[Isklaar]

I'm watching a very interesting programme on BBC 4 right now, called Immortal Egypt. This is the third programme in the series, definitely I recommend watching this episode  on catch up. Lots of Luxor/Karnak in this one. 

 

[BasandSyb]

We did a 19 day land based tour several years ago and it was probably the best trip we’ve ever had. Therefore when we did Athens to Singapore we didn’t bother getting off the ship despite the “lovely” cement works at the Safaga port making the ship stay not the most pleasant decision. From memory those who did the excursion confirmed support vehicles that went with them with armed guards and that it was quite a gruelling and rushed experience. It was a full day, some 13 or 14 hours and I recall the post discussion was more around the trip itself rather than the sights.

If you think it will be your only chance to get in and see Luxor, I’d go for it as it’s truly wondrous. Just prepare yourself for a long hot trip. Yes you’ll get hassled by hawkers, but they are all over the world. We were in Bali recently and many very desperate and persistent which is quite unusual. Take a few dollars and buy a scarf and leave some money behind. They have certainly had it rough in the last several years in the Egypt tourism sector. Hope you enjoy it.

[Isklaar]

1 hour ago, galeforce9 said:

Thank you everyone that has replied.   I tend to agree with you but it could be my only chance. I have been to the pyramids and Egyptian Museum on a cruise excursion from Port Said before.  It was gruelling but unforgettable.   We had an armed escort for our convoy.  It was 1996.  Looking at the Seabourn itinerary, there wouldn’t be an overnight option available. 
 

 

 

What does the tour description say about the sites you will visit? I spent a week in Luxor and felt it wasn't enough time. If there is a choice of temples to visit at Luxor I would pick Karnak over Luxor, but perhaps they plan to take you to both. 
I agree with others, if this may be your only opportunity to visit Luxor don't miss it.

[2seabournsailors]

We did the one day tour, quite a few years ago now, and after speaking to people who did the two day/overnight option, we saw "almost" as much as they did. A LOT of their time was spent at the hotel. Yes, its a long drive, but we saw a LOT when we got there, and after a boxed dinner on the bus, we all slept all the way back to the ship.