Done the Nile w/ Vantage?

[msraye]

Just wondering if anyone has used Vantage for Egypt and the Nile. A group of friends are looking at this trip for Feb. '08. so far like Grand Circle Travel itinerary the best but hesitant because of their changing travel dates. We all work so are not so flexible.

 

Anyone used Vantage? Who owns them? I had heard that one of the bus tour companies does. Is it downscale? We want to be comfortable.

[npphotog]

Let me make a comment re: Vantage. Although I cannot speak on their Egypt tour, wife and I did the Holland to Hungary river cruise with Vantage last year. We were so impressed with Vantage's organization on details, the tour directors and the general scope of the cruise that we signed up for their China trip next May. Grand Circle and Vantage are owned by the Lewis brothers. But I checked out Grand Circle and found that they have eliminated some of the side trips and made them optional. We thought that dollar for dollar Vantage was a better deal. Things change and with the economy and fuel costs we don't know what 2007 will bring. You have to compare every tour company that offers Egypt. Check out what company offers more with less optionals. I did hear and read that Grand Circle has or had some problems with the Better Business Bureau. Anyone else reading this post, please let both of us know if that's the correct information. Willard

[Roses2]

Let me make a comment re: Vantage. Although I cannot speak on their Egypt tour, wife and I did the Holland to Hungary river cruise with Vantage last year. We were so impressed with Vantage's organization on details, the tour directors and the general scope of the cruise that we signed up for their China trip next May. Grand Circle and Vantage are owned by the Lewis brothers. But I checked out Grand Circle and found that they have eliminated some of the side trips and made them optional. We thought that dollar for dollar Vantage was a better deal. Things change and with the economy and fuel costs we don't know what 2007 will bring. You have to compare every tour company that offers Egypt. Check out what company offers more with less optionals. I did hear and read that Grand Circle has or had some problems with the Better Business Bureau. Anyone else reading this post, please let both of us know if that's the correct information. Willard

 

This link is to BBB's report on Grand Circle

 

http://www.bosbbb.org/reports/reliability_report.asp?FirmId=0000003848

 

We traveled with them twice. Had trouble once.

 

Roses2

[coasters]

Just wondering if anyone has used Vantage for Egypt and the Nile. A group of friends are looking at this trip for Feb. '08. so far like Grand Circle Travel itinerary the best but hesitant because of their changing travel dates. We all work so are not so flexible.

 

Anyone used Vantage? Who owns them? I had heard that one of the bus tour companies does. Is it downscale? We want to be comfortable.

msraye

We're booked on the Feb 10, 2008 Egypt and the Nile.

Not much on the web about this, although any info about Vantage has been positive.

Jerry

[FLMO]

We went on a Vantage tour to Egypt in March 2007. It was wonderful, but I noticed that they have changed the itinerary for 2008. On our tour there were 2 Vantage groups and 2 Grand Circle groups together at all times. We felt that the Vantage program directors were a cut above Grand Circle. Ours was named Hazem. He was a very caring and knowledgeable director. We heard that Vantage is a little "up scale" over Grand Circle,but on our tour the two were exactly the same. The two companies are owned by 2 brothers. I've never been on a Grand Circle tour, but I wouldn't hesitate to go on another Vantage one. The 7 night Nile cruise was on a riverboat owned by Grand Circle,the River Anuket. Since that was the case, they were able to control the food preparation and no one we heard about got sick from the food. We stayed at the Marriott in Cairo for the rest of the trip. It was a very nice hotel with all the amenities. The optional tours were about $400.00 per person which included a $200.00 one to Abu Simbel.

[CruisenOne]

We just returned from a GCT Israel/Egypt Tour.

 

In Egypt, we had about 25 folks from Vantage with us.

The Vantage Tour was the same as ours; however, they had their own bus. We travelled in three buses.

 

Spoke with several of them and found that their Tour price was very close to ours.

 

The Tour Guides are independent contractors.

They seem to work for several Tour Companies.

The Guide on our bus was going to work with another Tour Company the following week.

 

Judging from the four guides that we saw, we felt that they were all quite competent.

On a few occaisions, the groups were mixed on a small side Tour.

So, we had a Guide from another group.

 

It is a great Tour.:)

[cherylakers]

Hi CruisinOne

 

We are booked for late January with GCT. Could you answer a few questions??

 

Did you have any laundry done either by the Marriott or the boat???

 

What about water...did you always drink bottled water? Any trouble getting it and how much did it cost??

 

How was the food on the boat??? Were their plenty of selections?? My husband is not a seafood lover, but loves chicken, beef, pork.

 

Did you take all the side trips???

 

Thanks for any guidance you can give us. There are 12 of us going leaving from Tampa, Florida. How was the Egypt Air flight??

 

Thanks

Cheryl

[CruisenOne]

Hi CruisinOne

 

We are booked for late January with GCT. Could you answer a few questions?? Will try:)

 

Did you have any laundry done either by the Marriott or the boat???

Both at the Marriott and on the boat.

 

What about water...did you always drink bottled water? Any trouble getting it and how much did it cost??

ALWAYS drink bottled water (Pharohs Revenge:eek: )

It is free on the boat.

They charge at the Marriott; Can't remember how much.

We all bought bottled water behind the Marriott; go through the other tower, past the restraunt. Once through the tower, make a left in the parking lot; then, another left. There is a little "shop" there.

 

How was the food on the boat??? Were their plenty of selections?? My husband is not a seafood lover, but loves chicken, beef, pork.

Food on the boat was very good; many selections.

 

Did you take all the side trips???

Yes, even the Balloon ride:D

 

Thanks for any guidance you can give us. There are 12 of us going leaving from Tampa, Florida. How was the Egypt Air flight??

We flew Egypt Air Back; took Austrian Air over due to our Israel pre-trip.

Service and food on Egypt Air was average. No complaints

 

Thanks

Cheryl

 

Word of advice:

Every body in Egypt has their hand out for a tip. Everybody.

Do not go into the stalls. They try to trap you inside.

Travel in pairs while on the Tours.

 

It was a GREAT TRIP

[CruisenOne]

Took some Egyptian Pounds with us.

 

There are two banks in the Marriott to exchange USDs to Pounds.

They will not exchange Pounds to USDs.

Also, ATMs at the Marriott. If you need Pounds.

 

You will not be able to exchange USDs on the boat.

Take some Pounds with you for tips.

 

There is some obscure law, in Egypt, that states that you can not take Egyptian money out of the country.

 

You will have armed guards on the Tour Buses. NO PROBLEM!!!

We felt that they were there for decoration.

Some times you will have military/police escorts for the buses.

You will probably have an armed guard on the boat.

They will want to charge you to take a picture of their machine gun.

 

Want to stress again -- NO PROBLEM

 

 

Take toilet paper with you on the Tours.

They sell it to you; even in the Airport !!!!

[CruisenOne]

Click on "Cruise Styles" Header -

 

Click on "River and Canal"

 

Very good review on the Anuket