GCT to Eqypt

[yenta]

Just booked this trip for May 2, has anyone taken it? What were your favorites? Would appreciate any info you have on it.

[paul929207]

We took this tour in March, 2006. It was the best trip we have taken. We did optionals to Saqqara, Alexandria and Abu Simbel. All were great.

 

We also did pre-trip to Israel and post to Jordan. These were also wonderful.

 

Post if you have questions.

[cherylakers]

We took this trip January 08. There were 12 of us and it was wonderful. We stayed at the Mariott for I believe 6 days and then 7 days on the MS River Anuket. We did all the optional excursions too.

 

If you have any specific questions, let me know.

 

Cheryl

[Kane]

We took this trip January 08. There were 12 of us and it was wonderful. We stayed at the Mariott for I believe 6 days and then 7 days on the MS River Anuket. We did all the optional excursions too.

 

If you have any specific questions, let me know.

 

Cheryl

 

We recently signed-up for this "bucket list" trip.

 

There seems to be a lot of time in Cairo, especially if one doesn't select all the optionals ... e.g., it seems the optional to Alexandria is primarily a day spent on the road.

 

Is the Egyptian Musem within walking distance of the Marriott? I had heard that it takes days to see the various exhibits there, and would seem to be preferable to riding a bus.

 

On a similar note, are there things to see in the vicinity of the Amman International? Google tells me that it seems to be somewhat remotely located in Amman. My wife has BTDT and is not planning to take the optionals there. She is wondering whether there is anything to see or do in the vicinity of the hotel.

 

TIA

[paul929207]

We recently signed-up for this "bucket list" trip.

 

There seems to be a lot of time in Cairo, especially if one doesn't select all the optionals ... e.g., it seems the optional to Alexandria is primarily a day spent on the road.

 

Is the Egyptian Musem within walking distance of the Marriott? I had heard that it takes days to see the various exhibits there, and would seem to be preferable to riding a bus.

 

On a similar note, are there things to see in the vicinity of the Amman International? Google tells me that it seems to be somewhat remotely located in Amman. My wife has BTDT and is not planning to take the optionals there. She is wondering whether there is anything to see or do in the vicinity of the hotel.

 

TIA

I think it took a while for the bus to get from the Marriott to the museum, so I would say not walking distance.

 

In Amman, I don't remember anything near the hotel. In fact, Amman was not one of the more interesting cities I have been to. However, Jerashe, Petra and Wadi Rum were fabulous.

[Kane]

Paul:

 

Wow, thanks for the quick reply.

 

One additional question: While on-board, are bar and other incidental charges made to a room card seapass like on ocean cruises, or does one have to use cash?

[yenta]

If it is like other river cruises, you charge it to your account and settle up at the end of the cruise

[pacmom]

By May, it is getting quite warm, so drink plenty of bottled water. Also don't miss Abu Simbel. It is magnificent.

 

The Marriott is not within walking distance of the museum. You could get a cab at the hotel. Suggetion for walking and standing---get one of the camp chairs. We got ours at Dick's Sporting goods. It is aluminum and good for sitting while your is talking. Enjoy your trip. It is a wonderous place to visit. Pat

[paul929207]

You do not get a card like n the big cruise ships, but you sign for drink, etc. and settle up at the end by cash, travelers checks or credit card.

[Kane]

I think it took a while for the bus to get from the Marriott to the museum, so I would say not walking distance.

 

In Amman, I don't remember anything near the hotel. In fact, Amman was not one of the more interesting cities I have been to. However, Jerashe, Petra and Wadi Rum were fabulous.

 

Paul:

 

I hate to be a pest, but you have been very helpful.

 

I went to Google Earth and found what I think to be the Marriott and Egyptian Museum of the Antiquities. Does the photo look right, or have I gotten the wrong locations?

 

 

I understand everyone has different opinions about what an acceptable walking distance is, but the white line shows it to be (only) a little over a mile.

 

TIA

[sottovoce]

We took Grand Circle's "Ancient Egypt and the Nile" trip five or six years ago and it was a great vacation. We've wanted to go back to Egypt ever since and just signed up for Overseas Adventure Travel's "Red Sea, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt" trip, with seven days cruising the Red Sea.

 

The Cairo Marriott is excellent and Grand Circle will keep you plenty busy in Cairo. The Alexandria optional excursion is worth it just to see the new Alexandria Library, and it does give you a look at a different Egyptian city. Your Grand Circle program director will help you get places on your own in Cairo. For example, ours would give people written directions to give to cab drivers, and also write down what the cab ride should cost so you weren't ripped off by the driver. Just tell the program director what you want to see in your free time and he or she will make sure that you are able to do it.

 

By all means, take this trip. Egypt is simply amazing, and both the Marriott and River Anuket are first-class. The Marriott's buffet breakfast is one of the wonders of the world.

[2travelers]

We took Grand Circle's "Ancient Egypt and the Nile" trip five or six years ago and it was a great vacation. We've wanted to go back to Egypt ever since and just signed up for Overseas Adventure Travel's "Red Sea, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt" trip, with seven days cruising the Red Sea.

 

The Cairo Marriott is excellent and Grand Circle will keep you plenty busy in Cairo. The Alexandria optional excursion is worth it just to see the new Alexandria Library, and it does give you a look at a different Egyptian city. Your Grand Circle program director will help you get places on your own in Cairo. For example, ours would give people written directions to give to cab drivers, and also write down what the cab ride should cost so you weren't ripped off by the driver. Just tell the program director what you want to see in your free time and he or she will make sure that you are able to do it.

 

By all means, take this trip. Egypt is simply amazing, and both the Marriott and River Anuket are first-class. The Marriott's buffet breakfast is one of the wonders of the world.

 

 

Hi Sottovoce:

I was so glad to read all of these positive posts - especially this one. Seems that on the Ports Of Call board (Africa and The Middle East), a poster started with what seemed like a positive review of this GCT trip and by the end of all of the replies, it had turned into a bash party. I did put up a post that I thought most of those replies were from folks who were not seasoned travelers and that they needed to roll with punches when traveling, but many disagreed. We have booked this trip for April 18th and I certainly hope that we do stay at the Marriott. Many have said that GCT changed the hotel at the last minute. I know that they have also changed from flying to Abu Simbel to taking a 4 hour bus ride. While I am not happy about that, I did understand their explaination that by taking a bus more people can be accomodated. Still, it is good to know that their tour guides have our best interests at heart, which is as it should be. There was many complaints about that on the other board.

So -we get through the holidays and the winter and we start packing for Ancient Egypt and the Nile.

Thanks for a uplifting review.

Ronnie

[scapel]

I know that they have also changed from flying to Abu Simbel to taking a 4 hour bus ride. While I am not happy about that, I did understand their explaination that by taking a bus more people can be accomodated. Still, it is good to know that their tour guides have our best interests at heart, which is as it should be. There was many complaints about that on the other board.

So -we get through the holidays and the winter and we start packing for Ancient Egypt and the Nile.

Thanks for a uplifting review.

Ronnie

 

Ronnie,

On a trip to Egypt in 1996 I think we were scheduled to fly to Abu Simbul. We were stuck in small airport for 5 hours waiting to be cleared to go. We never did find out for sure why we were delayed. Some said it was because Mubarak was taking a group to Abu Simbul and we had to wait until that was finished.

Others said it was because Mubarak was flying and that other planes could not be in the same area flying for security reasons.

Egypt and a Nile River Cruise is a great trip. I have only been to Egypt twice, but would go again. For the bus trip, don't be worried if you see an armed escort. Just good to have.

Link to some photos

http://www.cruisemates.com/gallery/view.php?id=1984

[2travelers]

Ronnie,

On a trip to Egypt in 1996 I think we were scheduled to fly to Abu Simbul. We were stuck in small airport for 5 hours waiting to be cleared to go. We never did find out for sure why we were delayed. Some said it was because Mubarak was taking a group to Abu Simbul and we had to wait until that was finished.

Others said it was because Mubarak was flying and that other planes could not be in the same area flying for security reasons.

Egypt and a Nile River Cruise is a great trip. I have only been to Egypt twice, but would go again. For the bus trip, don't be worried if you see an armed escort. Just good to have.

Link to some photos

http://www.cruisemates.com/gallery/view.php?id=1984

 

Thanks for another take on why the bus might be favored over the plane. I plugged into the photos and I am starting to get excited. My goal in life is to see all the Wonders of the World - and we have nearly done that. Can't wait to see the pyramids - the photos are amazing.

 

Ronnie

[Kane]

...clip...

I know that they have also changed from flying to Abu Simbel to taking a 4 hour bus ride. While I am not happy about that, I did understand their explanation that by taking a bus more people can be accommodated.

...clip...

Ronnie

 

This appears true because it is listed this way on the GCT web site. It appears to be a recent change. The write-up says depart on the bus after (early) breakfast and return for lunch. By road, it's about 180 miles away ... 360 miles r/t.

 

This means a very early breakfast or very fast drivers, or both. Ramses II is spectacular, but I'm wondering about whether the effort and cost is worth it.

[2travelers]

This appears true because it is listed this way on the GCT web site. It appears to be a recent change. The write-up says depart on the bus after (early) breakfast and return for lunch. By road, it's about 180 miles away ... 360 miles r/t.

 

This means a very early breakfast or very fast drivers, or both. Ramses II is spectacular, but I'm wondering about whether the effort and cost is worth it.

 

I think that early means about 3AM - they certainly can't make a trip like that and be back by lunchtime if they leave at 6 in the morning. From the rest of the tour descriptions it looks like they have the groups out very early and back before the sun really gets hot. This is thedessert and when we were in Israel we did everythign as early as possible to avoid the heat of the day. So, while I am a morning person, even for me this might be a challenge :D. Still we can't wait. I just got the information for the visas and it says that we should get the visa for Jordan when we arrive. Somewhere I read that it is easier and a bit cheaper to get it together , since we need a visa for Jordan and then another to get back into Egypt. Anyone have any information about that? I am inclined to follow GCT's directions - but just curious about what you guys think. I haven't read through their packet since it just arrived, but I think that is what I saw.

Thanks

Ronnie