Nile River Cruise

[Anubi]

My DH and I are starting to plan a Nile River cruise and would appreicate any information on which cruise line to use.

 

Thanks. :)

[CruisenOne]

My DH and I are starting to plan a Nile River cruise and would appreicate any information on which cruise line to use.

Thanks. :)

 

We were on a GCT Nile River Cruise in May.

Spent a week in Cairo; then, a week on the Nile.

 

Great trip:D

[paul929207]

We were also on GCT in March 2006 and loved it. As mentioned above, you spend about 1 week in Cairo and the a week cruise on the upper Nile. Ship goes from Kuxor to Aswan or the reverse. If you have any questions, post them & I will do my best.

[travelbugs]

We are cruising on the Nile Festival next month. Will let you know when we get back! (4 nights Cairo, 2 Luxor, 4 boat). The boat is supposed to be a step above the Oberoi Sherer-something and a step below the Royal Lotus.

[Spikesgirl]

Like you, we are in the planning stages for our Nile River cruise. We have pretty much decided that it will be with either Grand Circle Tours or R. Crusoe and Sons. Both offer about the same itineraries, but for us it was the size of the group and the flexibility that will make the decision. We have friends traveling with GCT in March to Egypt, another set of friends taking them to Croatia the same year and to Egypt the next.

 

Once the first couple returns, I'll forward the info on.

 

Charlie

[paul929207]

Grand Circle had about 140 people in our group. They dividedd us in 4 sub groups each with their own Program Director. So there were about 35 in each sub group. This worked fine everywhere excet the Cairo museum. At the museuam there were so many people and so much noise, I could not hear a word our PD said.

 

We loved GCT, and went on two of their OAT tours this year and just booked one for next year.

[Anubi]

Thanks for all the help.

 

GCT looked very good but they won't send a brochure to a Canadian address...no explanation. R. Crusoe sent stuff via email. So then I googled Nile River Tours and found a lot of information including a well-known Canadian tour group.

 

May all your cruises be smooth :)

[paul929207]

I believe GCT only markets in the US. You could go to their website to get information. it is GCT dot COM.

[Anubi]

I believe GCT only markets in the US. You could go to their website to get information. it is GCT dot COM.

 

I've already got their website saved in my Favourites ;) However, I did notice a 1-800 number. I'm going to call when I get a chance.

 

Thanks.

[pjtraveler]

We are leaving on November 5 for a Nile River Cruise with Uniworld. We are really excited at this point and will report after we get back on November 17. If you'll use the search facilities on the board, you can read information from folks who have done our cruise or have used different groups to tour the Nile.

[NYLady]

I'm just starting my research but I am inclined to go with Globus as I have used them for the Avalon trips in Europe. Is anyone familiar with their boat the "Royal Lotus".

 

I'd love to hear of your experiences in Egypt. Did you feel safe? What time of the year did you go? Was the weather tolerable? March looks like a good month to go, what do you think?

 

Was it set up like most cruises, with some included and some optional excursions would you recommend?

 

I need to learn about the other companies that sail there. Please tell me everything. Thank you so much.

[paul929207]

NYLady

 

We went to Egypt with Grand Circle in March 2006. The weather was great. Cairo was pleasant, highs in the 70's. On the Nile it was warmer, 90+. The hottest day was Abu Simbel - high of 97. Of course there was no rain.

 

We spent a week in Cairo at the Marriott (excellent) and a week on the Upper Nile sailing from Luxor to Aswan. All meals on the boat were included. Breakfast and some other meals were included in Cairo. As you said there were some include and some optional excursions.

 

We felt save the whole time. We (and all foriegn tourists) had an armed escort at all times. There was a guard in the front of the bus. On the Nile, at night a police boat sialed from the front of our boat to the back then to the front all night.

[coasters]

CruisenOne,

We're scheduled for Feb 10 to Cairo and 14 day cruise/tour Cairo and cruises on Nile and Lake Nasser with Vantage.

Any suggestions regarding shopping while touring Egypt.

Where best, what kind of items, any bargains...

Thanks

Diane & Jerry

[CruisenOne]

CruisenOne,

We're scheduled for Feb 10 to Cairo and 14 day cruise/tour Cairo and cruises on Nile and Lake Nasser with Vantage.

Any suggestions regarding shopping while touring Egypt.

Where best, what kind of items, any bargains...

Thanks

Diane & Jerry

 

We shopped in the areas that the Tour Bus left us off in Cairo.

The Hotel that we stayed at was not to close to shopping areas.

 

On the Nile River Cruise; we shopped in the towns that we over-nighted at.

 

DW bought a Egyptian dress and a Cartosh (sp?) on the boat.

She priced Cartoshes at towns; however, they would only be ready the next day. Which would be too late, since we were sailing.

Our Tour Guide supposedly got her a good price.

 

When shopping in Egypt -

Cut the quoted price in half and negotiate from there.

 

Word of caution: Do not go into the stalls. Negotiate outside.

I had a rather bad occurence when I went inside one stall.

 

Every body has their hand out for a tip.

Several humorous stories on that subject.

 

Egypt is a great country to see.

 

Do enjoy your trip

[coasters]

CruisenOne..

Thanks for your VERY prompt reply to our post.

Leaving in about 3 weeks!

Diane & Jerry

[smeyer418]

I'm just starting my research but I am inclined to go with Globus as I have used them for the Avalon trips in Europe. Is anyone familiar with their boat the "Royal Lotus".

 

I'd love to hear of your experiences in Egypt. Did you feel safe? What time of the year did you go? Was the weather tolerable? March looks like a good month to go, what do you think?

 

Was it set up like most cruises, with some included and some optional excursions would you recommend?

 

I need to learn about the other companies that sail there. Please tell me everything. Thank you so much.

 

 

We were on the Royal Lotus in November its a new ship run by Movenpick along with its twin the Royal Lilly. It was brand new it had been sailing a month. some minor issues(try not to get a room near the back of the ship). Food was good and they were very attentive. We felt extraordinarily safe except when crossing the street(I am a native NY and an unrepentant jay walker. I have never seen traffic like Cairo and I have also driven a cab in NY). weather was cool to moderate. Never higher than mid 70's. If you can make sure to see the pyramids at Dashur and Saqquara as well as Giza we went to see the Suez canal and enjoyed it. If you want I'll post a link to my pictures.....or a small part of them.

[NYLady]

Thank you so much for your response. I would love to see your pictures!

[ab0si]

I have just returned (two days ago) from an Egyptian tour/cruise. It was arranged by Isram. The boat was the Sonesta Moon Goddess. General comments (if anyone wants any details, please let me know).

 

1) Transfers, tours, etc. arranged by Isramwent very well .. except for the tour guide at Abu Simbel who was uninterested and uninteresting but made up for this by being rude.

 

2) The ship was a bit dirty and the food was basically terrible. The cook tried to prepare "western" style meals and did not know how to do this. The few local dishes offered were fine. To my knowledge slightly over half the passengers became sick enough to need a doctor. On the previous cruise (I happened to meet some passengers at Abu Simbel) apparently the percentage was worse.

 

3) It makes sense to visit Abu Simbel (which should not be missed) post-cruise rather than pre-cruise. We did it pre-cruise (after a few days in Cairo). Since the flight leaves at 4 am, you are up a "bit" early that day (left hotel at 2 am). Not the end of the world, but as the cruise-tours are run both ways, you might as well make it easier on yourself.

 

4) The cruise was 6 days. I'd suggest the 4-day cruise (most ships offer both) and spending the extra 2 days in a hotel in Luxor. Also, if not included in your tour package, usde some free time to visit the Luxor Museum. Fantastic!

 

5) Understand the local culture and economy a little bit. You will find yourself being asked for tips for everything. 44% of the population lives on less than US$2/day. Add to this the wage structure ASSUMES the majority of the income for anyone dealing witht h public will come via tips, not wages and you will understand why hands are outstretched for opening doors, etc. Barginning is expected for most purchases. I find this a PITA; others enjoy it.

 

Paul

[smeyer418]

Thank you so much for your response. I would love to see your pictures!

 

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbsWrRu1ctGa2

 

 

some comments on the poster's comments immediately above.

 

We were on a different ship a party of 8, 3 people got sick. One has problems where ever she travels, another was a smart you know what and drank the tap water because he never has a problem- until this cruise- and the third got/had too much sun and didn't wear a hat. The ship was spotless. But as I said it wasn't perfect. We changed rooms three times. Who ever designed it was modern chick and design foolish. They had these long neck faucets in the bathrooms that looked like an accident waiting to happen and the two in the public bathrooms had already broken and were sort of fixed. There were no hooks to hang things in the bathrooms and a couple of other really minor things but the service was great.

 

Abu Simbel shouldn't be missed. But you only need 4-5 hours there. Make sure you get at least that much time between your flights. We know of one group because of flight times and other issues had 5 minutes at the monuments.

 

Baksheesh is a way of life. It is a form of bribery. But it is good natured. If you learn some Arabic it is helpful. My favorite expression is Fal Mis Mis...it means "in your dreams" so when someone wants 20 US I say Fal mis mis and get it for 5. The same with the tipping. You can give 1 LE to the bathroom attendant. If you give someone a US 1 dollar they will generally be happy. Its their way of coping with a terrible economy.

 

Did I get some bargains? yes did I overpay probably yes by a few dollars...nothing that will effect me. I have been to China and Turkey as well where the bargaining was the same(and in Istanbul someone wanted 10 Euros for a shoe shine- fal mis mis. I bargained the one at the Market in Cairo down to 5 le's and then gave him 10.)- but I must tell you we were there two weeks one week by our selves and the tipping/baksheesh issue I found no problem at all, and I enjoy a good negotiation.

 

The museum at Luxor was great- it was staged by the curator and staff of the Brooklyn Museum in NY.

[coasters]

Thanks - much enjoyed your photos. You gave me some good picture ideas for our trip next month.

What ship were you on??

Thanks

Diane & Jerry

[NYLady]

Thank you very much for sharing your pictures.

[Jsipes]

SMEYER418....thank you for the wonderful report. I have the Nile Cruise on my Bucket List....:) Jer the Bear

[smeyer418]

Thanks - much enjoyed your photos. You gave me some good picture ideas for our trip next month.

What ship were you on??

Thanks

Diane & Jerry

 

well my memory says the Royal Lotus but the picture say the Royal Lilly...they are identical ships with the Lilly being newer...

[barbetal]

After extensive research, tripadvisor, cruise critic, etc., we chose Moon Goddess several months ago and leave for Egypt & Dubai on 1/23. I have continued to look at various forums for tips for this ship. All have been positive. Now, 3 days before I leave, I find a negative review. Serves me right for being so obsessive and continuing to read boards. Any additional tips for ship would be appreciated, besides not eating or drinking. Tips like what might be a good cabin (and how to secure it), what tours from ship are not worth it (if any). We are traveling independently so no tour representative nearby to help.

[smeyer418]

After extensive research, tripadvisor, cruise critic, etc., we chose Moon Goddess several months ago and leave for Egypt & Dubai on 1/23. I have continued to look at various forums for tips for this ship. All have been positive. Now, 3 days before I leave, I find a negative review. Serves me right for being so obsessive and continuing to read boards. Any additional tips for ship would be appreciated, besides not eating or drinking. Tips like what might be a good cabin (and how to secure it), what tours from ship are not worth it (if any). We are traveling independently so no tour representative nearby to help.

 

I think there will be many tours on your ship. Try to talk with one of the guides(and see if you can pay to join some of the smaller ones). As I said we did a week of the two independently but we had tour guides most every day. They weren't expensive by NY standards and overal saved a lot of hassle and money. Unless you are a very good negotiator for tours when you leave the ship you will pay top dollar.

If you want email me and I'll give you the name and email address of our ship board tour guide.