Egypt with a 22 month old

[deniuh]

Hi Everyone!

My husband and I will be doing a roundtrip Rome itinerary in October on the Grand Princess. We have two days in Egypt and we would like to to an overnight tour. Has anyone done this will a baby? Is it safe to be in Egypt with a 22 month old? We are experienced travellers but this is our first European cruise with the baby. We sailed the Caribbean with her and it was wonderful!

 

Thanks for your input.

[rebeccalouise]

Yes, every country is safe with kids. Just as safe as being in the US. You wouldn't leave your child unattended in the US- so why would you in a foreign country?

 

As for a guided tour. I am a parent and I would not subject older people to a 22 month old. I understand where you are coming from but you have to understand that these guided tours are rather long and dull. In fact, check because there may be a minimum age requirement.

 

Having said that- you shouldn't do a ship tour with a toddler. What I would do is plan a private tour with a reputable company. This way you can stop and go and do as you please.

[celle]

Yes, every country is safe with kids. Just as safe as being in the US. You wouldn't leave your child unattended in the US- so why would you in a foreign country?

 

As for a guided tour. I am a parent and I would not subject older people to a 22 month old. I understand where you are coming from but you have to understand that these guided tours are rather long and dull. In fact, check because there may be a minimum age requirement.

 

Having said that- you shouldn't do a ship tour with a toddler. What I would do is plan a private tour with a reputable company. This way you can stop and go and do as you please.

 

I agree with rebeccalouise.

 

One other thing: Egypt is dirty. While the hotel environs should be relatively clean, the streets are dusty and often litter-ridden (and the traffic is crazy - don't let your child get away from you). You will need to constantly watch what your toddler touches, not let him/ her put anything in their mouth, make wise food choices for your child, and make sure that everyone has plenty of bottled water to drink. In the hotter months, dehydration could be a problem for a small child.

 

If it were me, I'd prefer to take short trips ashore and return to the ship to sleep. I would not even consider taking a toddler from Alexandria to Cairo, because the road trip is long and boring.

[sharktums]

...

[sharktums]

I think the OP knows if her kid can do the long trips on the bus or not. All kids are different. My husband and I run theme park tours and our now 23 month old has accompanied us on all of them since being four months old. We've gone around the US, China, Asia, Europe, Korea, and more mostly on buses!

 

As for Egypt, I would imagine it to be the same or worse than China, and for China we did the following:

 

-Steripen UV Sanitizer for ALL water. We mostly tried to keep her using European Brands of Bottled water, but when bathing or washing her or her stuff or for the tooth brush, get a Steripen!

 

- Disposable everything! Cups, silverware, place mats, bottles, etc. It won't be as safe to wash these things, or if they get dirty, so make sure you're prepared.

 

- Tons of antibacterial gel and wipes!

 

- Got one of the Hep vaccines early (within safe zone, but earlier than normal)

 

As others have said though, if your kid is not a good traveler, don't make others suffer with you!

 

But I'm totally for taking young children wherever you go! Whether they remember it or not it IS making an impression.

[deniuh]

Yes, every country is safe with kids. Just as safe as being in the US. You wouldn't leave your child unattended in the US- so why would you in a foreign country?

 

As for a guided tour. I am a parent and I would not subject older people to a 22 month old. I understand where you are coming from but you have to understand that these guided tours are rather long and dull. In fact, check because there may be a minimum age requirement.

 

Having said that- you shouldn't do a ship tour with a toddler. What I would do is plan a private tour with a reputable company. This way you can stop and go and do as you please.

 

Rebecca,

Thanks for your input. I should have been more clear in my email regarding the overnight tour. It's actually a private tour - that's the way we've always done it - much more convenient. In terms of safety, my concern was the food and water aspect - I was born in the Caribbean and spent most of my life there, so travelling to any country really does not scare me. A friend of mine just got back from Egypt and was adamant that it was not a good idea for the baby. I just wanted to bounce it off of you experienced parents. Thanks again!

[deniuh]

I agree with rebeccalouise.

 

One other thing: Egypt is dirty. While the hotel environs should be relatively clean, the streets are dusty and often litter-ridden (and the traffic is crazy - don't let your child get away from you). You will need to constantly watch what your toddler touches, not let him/ her put anything in their mouth, make wise food choices for your child, and make sure that everyone has plenty of bottled water to drink. In the hotter months, dehydration could be a problem for a small child.

 

If it were me, I'd prefer to take short trips ashore and return to the ship to sleep. I would not even consider taking a toddler from Alexandria to Cairo, because the road trip is long and boring.

 

Celle,

Thanks for your advice. We are considering the short trips ashore as another option as well.

[deniuh]

I think the OP knows if her kid can do the long trips on the bus or not. All kids are different. My husband and I run theme park tours and our now 23 month old has accompanied us on all of them since being four months old. We've gone around the US, China, Asia, Europe, Korea, and more mostly on buses!

 

As for Egypt, I would imagine it to be the same or worse than China, and for China we did the following:

 

-Steripen UV Sanitizer for ALL water. We mostly tried to keep her using European Brands of Bottled water, but when bathing or washing her or her stuff or for the tooth brush, get a Steripen!

 

- Disposable everything! Cups, silverware, place mats, bottles, etc. It won't be as safe to wash these things, or if they get dirty, so make sure you're prepared.

 

- Tons of antibacterial gel and wipes!

 

- Got one of the Hep vaccines early (within safe zone, but earlier than normal)

 

As others have said though, if your kid is not a good traveler, don't make others suffer with you!

 

But I'm totally for taking young children wherever you go! Whether they remember it or not it IS making an impression.

 

Thanks for your encouragement. I didn't think about the vaccine. I will be calling my doctor to check on that one. I'll have to get me some of that sanitizer as well. So far our daughter has travelled really well, so hopefully she does so in Europe.

[kitty9]

Bugs are a big problem in Egypt so that's something you need to be concerned with. And, your friend is right, it is quite dirty and dusty and if your child has any kind of breathing problems, they will be made more severe in Egypt. Just make absolutely sure that your child is up to date with shots including polio because polio is coming back in that area of the world. And remember, polio is a water-born disease.

[rebeccalouise]

Wow- I wouldn't hesitate to take my son to Egypt. My father and step-mother were there on a Nile cruise and adored it. My mother has also been to Egypt and Jordan and had no problems whatsoever.

 

You child should be vacinated period but of course ask if there are other vacines that are recommended.

 

I have heard of more people getting sick in Mexico than in Europe or the Middle East.

[celle]

I think the OP knows if her kid can do the long trips on the bus or not. All kids are different. My husband and I run theme park tours and our now 23 month old has accompanied us on all of them since being four months old. We've gone around the US, China, Asia, Europe, Korea, and more mostly on buses!

 

As for Egypt, I would imagine it to be the same or worse than China, and for China we did the following:

 

-Steripen UV Sanitizer for ALL water. We mostly tried to keep her using European Brands of Bottled water, but when bathing or washing her or her stuff or for the tooth brush, get a Steripen!

 

- Disposable everything! Cups, silverware, place mats, bottles, etc. It won't be as safe to wash these things, or if they get dirty, so make sure you're prepared.

 

- Tons of antibacterial gel and wipes!

 

- Got one of the Hep vaccines early (within safe zone, but earlier than normal)

 

As others have said though, if your kid is not a good traveler, don't make others suffer with you!

 

But I'm totally for taking young children wherever you go! Whether they remember it or not it IS making an impression.

 

All good advice! The reason I advised against bus trip is Egypt is because the buses from the ship tours all travel in convoy, with an armed escort. no possibility of leaving the convoy for any reason. A private tour may be different.

 

We've been to China as well as Egypt and, yes, Egypt is dirtier by far. And there seemd to be no concept of cleanliness or of picking up rubbish.

 

It will take me a long time to forget the state of some of the public toilets in Egypt! And restaurants serving food with the toilet doors left wide open!

[rebeccalouise]

To the OP...

 

Go to the link on this site that says Asia and the Middle East and there will be plenty of information about Egypt there. I did pull up someone's trip pictures but it used so much of my memory that I got stuck there.

 

The long and short of it is- Egypt looks wonderful! Like anywhere, there is filth and poverty. I live in Baltimore and there are gross places there that I wouldn't want to visit but Baltimore is still a wonderful city.

 

If you have a private driver, he is going to take you to the nicer places. Do some research about the places that are child friendly. I would make my way to the Pyramids for heaven sake. It isn't like you are going to take lots of trips to Egypt!!! There are lovely hotels there. I would stay at one with a view of the Pyramids that has a nice pool. I checked into this a year ago and had thought about doing a "side trip" from Europe to Egypt. The one that I had planned to stay at was called the Le Meridan Pyramids.

 

If I were you, I would head straight there!!!:) In fact, if I had gone, I had planned to stay at the resort and just get a room with a view of the Pyramids. I think it would be great.

[Kerry's Girls]

I'm taking my twins who will turn 5 that week, so I've been doing some research on the ports of call boards. There are a few private tour companies that many from cruise critic have used and been very happy with. I would do that in a heartbeat if it wasn't just me and my twins - in this instance, I feel safer travelling with the ship's excursion - which has the added benefit of having a bathroom on board. I haven't decided for sure, but even with lots of positive feedback from cruise critic members, I'm a little leery of just me and my girls getting into a car in a country where I don't speak the language, have access to a cell phone, etc. I know the 3 hour bus ride each direction isn't thrilling, but since my girls have done 11 hours flights without bothering anyone, I think we'll be ok. I'll take along the same survival supplies as always - a DVD player, and lots of new little toys to keep them occupied on the bus. I'll also bring our little travel potty so we aren't at the mercy of public restrooms while we're touring. If your tot is out of diapers by then, I highly suggest getting one - it's a lifesaver to not have to stop everything to look for a decent restroom.

 

I'm glad you started this thread - it's great to get everyone's advice on travel to Egypt with kids.

 

Best,

Mia

[deniuh]

To the OP...

 

Go to the link on this site that says Asia and the Middle East and there will be plenty of information about Egypt there. I did pull up someone's trip pictures but it used so much of my memory that I got stuck there.

 

The long and short of it is- Egypt looks wonderful! Like anywhere, there is filth and poverty. I live in Baltimore and there are gross places there that I wouldn't want to visit but Baltimore is still a wonderful city.

 

If you have a private driver, he is going to take you to the nicer places. Do some research about the places that are child friendly. I would make my way to the Pyramids for heaven sake. It isn't like you are going to take lots of trips to Egypt!!! There are lovely hotels there. I would stay at one with a view of the Pyramids that has a nice pool. I checked into this a year ago and had thought about doing a "side trip" from Europe to Egypt. The one that I had planned to stay at was called the Le Meridan Pyramids.

 

If I were you, I would head straight there!!!:) In fact, if I had gone, I had planned to stay at the resort and just get a room with a view of the Pyramids. I think it would be great.

 

Rebecca Louise,

Our private tour will overnight at Le Meridien which is part of the Starwood brand - so thanks for the reassurance regarding this hotel. We plan to be very vigilant and careful about everything. My DH is turning 35 and we are fulfilling his dream of taking a picture with our DD on his shoulders with the pyramids in the background. LOL

[deniuh]

I'm taking my twins who will turn 5 that week' date=' so I've been doing some research on the ports of call boards. There are a few private tour companies that many from cruise critic have used and been very happy with. I would do that in a heartbeat if it wasn't just me and my twins - in this instance, I feel safer travelling with the ship's excursion - which has the added benefit of having a bathroom on board. I haven't decided for sure, but even with lots of positive feedback from cruise critic members, I'm a little leery of just me and my girls getting into a car in a country where I don't speak the language, have access to a cell phone, etc. I know the 3 hour bus ride each direction isn't thrilling, but since my girls have done 11 hours flights without bothering anyone, I think we'll be ok. I'll take along the same survival supplies as always - a DVD player, and lots of new little toys to keep them occupied on the bus. I'll also bring our little travel potty so we aren't at the mercy of public restrooms while we're touring. If your tot is out of diapers by then, I highly suggest getting one - it's a lifesaver to not have to stop everything to look for a decent restroom.

 

I'm glad you started this thread - it's great to get everyone's advice on travel to Egypt with kids.

 

Best,

Mia[/quote']

 

Mia, we are on the October 13th sailing out of Rome on Princess Grand. The tour company is called Nileblue just in case you might be interested in using them. I'll have to check the internet for the travel potty. Didn't think about that one.

[rebeccalouise]

Honestly- I would be more worried about going to Mexico or South America right now than Egypt. You'll be fine. The touristy areas will be nice and I wouldn't bother with more than you are biting off. I think that hotel looks lovely.

 

Have a wonderful journey!:)

[cruisemom42]

As someone who really loves Egypt and who spent 2 weeks on a land tour there a year ago, as well as the same 2-day cruise stopover that many do, I would have strong reservations about taking a 22-month old.

 

It's not so much that Egypt is dirtier than other places (although the pollution in Cairo will astound you), it's that the "bugs" (e.g., viruses, germs) there are different than the ones we are exposed to here and they can cause incredible GI upset very quickly -- which as I'm sure you know can lead to dehydration very quickly in a toddler or small child.

 

A frequent poster on the Egypt boards got very sick even following all the precautions of what not to eat or drink. She ended up with a serious infection called Giardia, probably (as near as she could figure) just from letting a little water get into her mouth from the shower head.

 

Adults can shrug off most of the "mummy tummy" upsets, but in young kids they can be serious. Antibiotics don't necessarily work, nor do things like Imodium always work. What will you do if your child gets sick in Egypt.....trust me, the standard of health care there is not the greatest either.

 

In addition, the vendors that are constantly swarming you in all places where tourists visit (e.g., the Pyramids, Sphinx particularly) can be very alarming. You might want to read the recent travel report from one mom who took her young child on a ship-sponsored tour and had a somewhat frightening experience (post #4):

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=18060650&posted=1#post18060650

 

I'm not trying to be alarmist; as I said I love Egypt AND I also have traveled many many places around the world with my DS, now aged 16. But I wouldn't have taken him to Egypt at 22 months based on my own very recent observations.

 

Also, be prepared that Egyptian standards of luxury are not what they are in the US. They are perhaps more like what would have been considered luxury in the 1950s in the US!

[US-EuroMomof2]

What is the brand of the travel potty? Sounds like a good idea, we are going to Egypt on the NCL Jade in March.

 

We are travelling with another family--4 adults and 4 kids ages 1,2,3 and 4. We are Americans living in Europe so our kids are seasoned travellers. We opted for a private day tour to the pyramids in Egypt and a private tour in Turkey. This way we don't have to worry about being stuck on the bus and can do things at our own pace. The other stops we plan to hop on the trains and see ourselves. We have learned to take the kids pace, see what we can and take lots of pics so one day they can say "see, I was in...." I'll try and remember to let you know how it goes when we get back. :o

 

One other suggestion, if you aren't familiar with Disney's Little Einsteins check it out and consider buying the Legend of the Golden Pyramid. Our kids love the show and every trip is a "Little Einsteins" adventure for us. My DD has been talking about seeing the golden pyramid and great sphinx since she was 2 thanks to the show. Between now and our trip I will come up with a "mission" to make the day more exciting...find the nile river, ride a camel, try to see a nile crocodile, etc. :D

[celle]

Honestly- I would be more worried about going to Mexico or South America right now than Egypt. You'll be fine. The touristy areas will be nice and I wouldn't bother with more than you are biting off. I think that hotel looks lovely.

 

Have a wonderful journey!:)

 

To the OP:

 

If this is to be your one and only chance to see the pyramids, then go. They are really worth it. If you will have another chance later, I recommend waiting until your child is older.

 

Contrary to what rebeccalouise says, the touristy areas are not "nice". They are less scruffy than many other places, but they are still difficult.

 

We recently spent 12 days in Egypt, so we had the opportunity to see most of the touristy places, and to explore a little on our own. Believe me, Mexico (and we have been there) would not even come close to some of the dirt and poverty we saw in Egypt!

 

At the pyramids, the buses all park in one area. This area is littered with discarded paper and drink bottles, some of them squashed flat. No prizes to the tourists who dropped them!

 

You will have to walk some distance in the hot sun to get close to the pyramids, so take sun hats, sunblock and water. It will be very hot and airless inside the Second Pyramid. Don't go there if you are claustrophobic.

 

While many of the peddlers of junk have been excluded from the immediate area of the pyramids, you will still have to look out for the men on camels, who will try to get you to have a ride.

 

If you must use a bathroom, the ones at the Boat Museum (near the Grand Pyramid) were less disgusting than most. Those along the street from the Sphinx were also not too bad.

 

The poster who said that Egypt had some very nasty tummy bugs is correct. We carried our own TP and hand wipes and were fanatical about hygiene and watching what we ate. Over half of our tour group still went down with the "Mummy's tummy".

 

We're glad we went, and glad we don't have to go again.

[Kerry's Girls]

What is the brand of the travel potty? Sounds like a good idea, we are going to Egypt on the NCL Jade in March.

 

 

 

It's a Potette Plus - I got it at Babies R Us and it's been one of the most priceless toddler items I own, especially since I travel alone with my girls - it's so great not to have to stop what we're doing to find a bathroom (or deal with the icky bathrooms we come across).

 

Thanks for the idea about Baby Einsteins - we always look for videos for preparation (Mary Poppins for London; Lilo & Stitch for Hawaii) so the Baby Einsteins in Egypt is perfect! Thank you!

 

Best,

Mia

[rebeccalouise]

I found this on tripadvisor regarding the Le Meridien Pyramid Hotel and a little about Cairo...

 

"This hotel is great, very clean, food is wonderful and facilities good,you would not think that you where in the middle of Cairo, but be warned Cairo is not for the faint hearted!.

Everyone once in their life should go to see the Pyramids of Giza and The Cairo Museim. The Pyramids are unbelivable, mouth opening structures, which everyone should be able to see.

Cairo itself is a dirty hole, and you get sick and tireds of people pestering you for money, even the police!!!!!!!

It got so bad for us we where frightened about going out in the end, which is a shame when you save all year to go!."

[deniuh]

Thanks to everyone for their input. It's alot to think about and my DH and I are weighing our options. If we do decide to take our DD, I will certainly post and let you know if it was a nightmare or great experience.

[Crusin6]

When I spent a week in Egypt in 1978, the one thing that I remember vividly, in addition to tears streaming down my face at the sight of the pyramids, was that some of the adults got food poisoning at a nighttime tent type of show.

 

I do not believe that all of the food is tainted, however, due to my experience I would just be mindful of what you feed the baby.

 

It might be wise to have food with you from the ship. Packaged cereal and the like. Maybe packages food stuff from home as well. Jars of toddler food and the like. And use bottles water only. I would stay away from milk too. Maybe prepackaged Parmalate might work.

 

I know many folks on the boards will say not to worry about the food, and they are probably right, however, I did see people get ill from the food and yes it was many years ago, but for this port in particular I would err on the side of caution. A 22month old will not miss the egyptian specialities.

[Number 6w]

We stayed at the "Five-Star" Le Meridien a couple of years ago and I guess that definition is different here than it is in Egypt. Our bathroom did not have a shower door and the tile was marble, so I had DH help me out of the bathroom as I was 2 months pregnant at the time. The carpet was filthy, the lobby was dusty, the coffee was just awful and the service was bad.

 

Our tripmates (which we found from Cruise Critic) had to change rooms twice because their first room had bugs in the bed, and their second room had an animal in the toilet!

 

We spent about 1/4 of what the cruise charged for the same thing, but maybe getting to stay at the Ritz-Carlton would have been better?

 

Our 2 day cruise excursion was rough on two 30+ year olds, I can't imagine taking a 22-month old too. There's a lot to see in 2 days (Pyramids, Sphinx, Museum, Saqqara, Nile river, etc.)!