MadMarine

37 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

...

 

If you really want to go to Cairo - just to go Cairo.  It is seen much better by land than by cruise ship.  Then you can decide which you prefer - Luxor or Cairo.  

this is not about preference, but rather the relative convenience of seeing most of it during a cruise.  A cruise ship that has stops in Safaga and Port Said or Alexandria provides a vehicle for seeing most without having to do an overnight with associated expenses.

Your opinion on the best way to see the area is noted.  Unfortunately, I will be on a cruise not doing a land tour.

 

1 hour ago, flossie009 said:

We always review the travel advice from the UK Government and the US Government websites when travelling to countries with potential security risks, rather than relying on hearsay or uninformed opinions. 

 

As to visiting Cairo, the Cairo museum and the Pyramids, IMO it would be easier  to do this  as a land based holiday or as part of a Nile riverboat cruise rather than making the mad dash and expensive visit during a Regent cruise. However if this is the only chance to get to see something on your bucket list then go for it.

 

The overnight offering by Regent to visit Luxor does look to be worthwhile to allow more time touring the area and minimising difficult travel to/from the ship. We are participating in this overland tour during our Voyager cruise later this year. 

Hi Flossie,

I do the same with regards to travel warnings, good to be prepared for potential risks.  I’m still weighing the merits of doing the land excursion offered by Regent against another cruise line.  I will be looking forward to your assessment of the trip.

Tom

3 hours ago, Sharle said:

price for the overland is $1499 pp

Good to get an idea to weigh against the other options. Thanks!

55 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

If Cairo were safe, Regent would be stopping there.  It isn’t so Regent does not go there.

 

If there is an excursion, at any price, it is worth it because Regent has to pay quite a bit for the amount of security that is needed in that area.

 

Having been to Cairo, Luxor and other stops along the Nile, I can say that the sites that you can see visiting Luxor exceeds what you would see in Cairo (except for the pyramids).   

TC, 

Quite a set of assertions.  Any information from Regent as to the unsafe conditions in Cairo?  Why would they have an overland excursion that includes Cairo if that were so?  

Several other cruise lines include Port Said (Cairo) in their itineraries.  Would you suggest that they are willing to risk the safety of their customers?

An excursion at any price, really?  Security is provided for all organized excursions in Egypt, as far as I’ve read including private excursions.  Tourism is important to the country.

Finally,  I appreciate that you might think that a visit to Cairo, the museum and pyramids pales in comparison to the grandeur of Luxor, but it might not for others.

But, thanks for your opinions.  I was actually looking for hard data.

3 minutes ago, GrJ Berkshire said:

The problem is that to see the pyramids you have to go with your mummy. Does not fit with the WC demographics !

Well, most of us will be embalmed by the time we get there.  Some may be crying for our mummy by then!  😉

52 minutes ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

As you've found out there is an Overland that flies you up to Cairo.

 

Very few cruises go near Cairo, except perhaps if they stop at Alexandria.

 

If you really, really have to see the Pyramids, I understand, and suggest you do that Overland, which is not, as you surmised, included, but in fact will be fairly pricey.

Hi Wendy,

The Pyramids have been on the bucket list since childhood.  Is there a problem with Port Said or Cairo that Regent doesn’t go there?   Any idea what “fairly pricey” is? 

1 minute ago, susietb said:

The Pyramids are in Cairo!

Umm.... yes!!!

19 minutes ago, Sharle said:

There us a two day stop at Luxor with an overland tour that includes the pyramids if you choose to book it

Thanks, Sharle.  I missed the overland section.  This is the one:  OVERLAND-EGYPT'S RENOWNED RELICS LUXOR & PYRAMIDS.  I'm guessing that this will not be an included excursion.

I was perusing the itinerary for the 2021 WC and noticed that there is no stop to view the Pyramids.  Any thoughts as to why that might be?

Thanks, Mad

29 minutes ago, allison12 said:

Pickle ball and Paddle tennis (sometimes called Platform tennis) are two different things.  The marketing information calls it a "paddle court." Based on replies, it looks like it is mostly used as a pickleball court.  Anything will be fun--just wanted to be prepared if I needed to bring a specific type of shoes.

 

 

Hi, based on this article, it looks like the courts may be used for either pickle ball or paddle tennis.

http://www.latecruisenews.com/2016/12/16/first-board-pickleball-court-launched-regent-seven-seas-cruise-ship/

“The installation, by Adventure Golf Services, took place in a Genoa, Italy shipyard and included a combination court for two sports: Pickleball and Paddle Tennis”, according to Scott Lundmark, president of Adventure Golf.

+1

Perhaps the OP is thinking pickle Ball?  

33 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

Tom - this link is from a November 2019 cruise that stops in Casablanca so here are their excursion offerings: https://www.rssc.com/cruises/EXP191112/activities/regent-choice-plus-free/day-4

 

Since you are spending the night in Lisbon, here is a list of their excursions (no Regent Choice - all included) https://www.rssc.com/cruises/EXP191112/activities/regent-choice-plus-free/day-11 

 

These are excursions in Seville (Cadiz)https://www.rssc.com/cruises/EXP190923/activities/regent-choice-plus-free/day-11

 

And here is Casablanca https://www.rssc.com/cruises/EXP191112/activities/regent-choice-plus-free/day-4

 

If any links do not work, let me know.  Hope this helps.

 

Jackie

 

  

 

Thanks, Jackie for taking the time to get related tour links.  They work fine!   I've been using this approach to get an idea of pricing, completing a spreadsheet with likely excursions and waiting for the release of the tours for my trip.

Tom

1 hour ago, jeb_bud said:

 

The number of people is small but so is the vehicle. We were in the Med this spring and they had just begun the small group excursions.  I didn’t sign up for any so I can’t report first-hand but I noticed that the small groups were in passenger vans. From a distance it looked like rows of bench seats. 

 

I worry about visibility out of the van, and how easy it is to hear the tour guide(too much trap shooting and hunting as a young man). I haven’t yet seen a review of a small group excursion, but I am anxiously awaiting one. 

Thanks, jeb for the feedback!  I’ll look forward to a review as well.  Here’s hoping 👍. 

9 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

Tom,

 

Not seeing prices but was able to request the excursions via email.  If they send it to me I guess that I can copy and paste it here or, if you want to share your email address, I can send it there.  Let's wait and see what happens.  

 

Since our March 14th prices are out, I would assume that yours would be out soon.

 

Jackie

 

P.S.  Just scrolled down to where you can look at other cruises that go to the same ports.  I'll check more ports tomorrow but found this for the April 16th cruise for Cartagena: https://www.rssc.com/cruises/SPL200416/activities/regent-choice-plus-free/day-13 (hope that the link works).  You will have to scroll down a bit.

Hey, Jackie. The linked work for me for this date.  Not received email yet.  However, if you try this with any ports for my trip, I think you’ll find that the “excursions not available” after providing your email address.

Thanks, Jackie. The small group option is more attractive to me because of the number of people. 

My cruise is on the Explorer, Barcelona to London commencing April 27, 2020. No pricing yet.   I see the email link to get the port’s tours. I get “excursions not available” when I try the email option.  I’ve there is another path, I’d like to know. 

Thanks, Tom

“Just a comment about the small charge for the same excursions that others are taking (included).  This is not the same thing as aRegent Choice excursion. It is simply an included excursion with less people.“

TravelCat,  if a small group tour has a fee how is it then an “included” tour?

Thanks

Kiwifromkiev,  the way I’ve approached the issue so far is to look at the prices listed in cruises that are about to start. This might give you an idea of the cost for the same tour for your cruise. 

1 hour ago, 1982CruzStart said:

I will find out whether they are worth more money or not later this year. I found the upcharge for the small group ones very reasonable when i booked. I hope we get value for the extra cost. 

Looking forward to your observations!

Thanks, Bill. I’ve had the same kinds of experiences.  Mostly a crap shoot unless there are good reviews to be had.  Even then, vendors change etc,.  Was just wondering if there was some general opinions formed based on several cruises.  

1 hour ago, douginct said:

Note that it is actually Concierge Suites and higher that receive the 5% savings on excursions and pre - post hotel bookings.

Good to know.  I forgot about that. We’re in a concierge D. 

Could those with the experience, comment on whether they found the upcharge for a small group tour vs free tour of same venue worth the money? 

Thanks again for your contributions to my education. 

Thanks, all.  I previously downloaded PDFs for the the upcoming trip so there were no prices.  Your right that this year’s trip does have the prices so that’s a great start as a guide. 

Thanks, TravelCat, this helps to confirm my suspicions that I plan from what I know and wing it from there.  I’ve got all the dates and times in my calendar and will ping my TA when I know it’s time to plan flights, unless they are ahead of me.  As to excursions,  I’m preparing a spreadsheet with my 1st, 2nd choices.  Still puzzled about no prices and “Choice” excursions not being evident.  Perhaps too early?

Thanks, Mad

Hi All,  I’ve got PDFs of previous excursions for our Barcelona to Southampton Cruise next year.  It is not obvious to me, from the PDFs, which are included excursions and those that are “Choice”.  A few say that they are “Choice”, but it seems that others should be but are not.  Additionally, there are no prices for the “Choice” or others for that matter?  How do I adequately, plan for the excursion sign-up in my weight class, ummm.. suite level?

Thanks, Mad

Don’t miss the Achilleion Palace, St George’s Bay overlook or the James Bond locations there.  Check out the island monastery and the Venetian boat works.