jklc123

I definitely agree about Alexandria. I wonder why tips are not included in Uniworld's non-European cruises. Fortunately, our rooms were ready when we returned from Luxor. Thanks again for allowing us to ride along with you.

We skipped a wine tasting excursion to visit the Valrhona store, and ended up with enough extras added to our bag of purchases to share with friends and families, besides what we had already purchased for them. I still miss that chocolate!

I am prone to seasickness -- one sea sick day in rough seas on every ocean cruise. On our Russian cruise, there was very light movement on one of the lakes, Onega or Ladoga, but not enough to affect me much. Still, better safe than sorry if you are sensitive to movement. At any rate, it's a fascinating itinerary -- Bon voyage!

We did have the party but the majority of guest didn't purchase outfits. We were usually so tired after the day's touring that we often turned-in soon after dinner. Our Egyptologist had told us there would be a belly dancer at the party but she didn't show up. He said it's very difficult to find a good one as they are all hired by the casinos at a very good salary.

Most of our group did buy the outfits. I made mine into a blouse when we returned home. Not sure what my husband will do with his! At least they weren't expensive. We were told they stopped booking a belly dancer as most Americans don't seem to enjoy them.

No photos of the galabeya party? LOL. The walk behind the Esna temple was so interesting, as was watching Egyptian life along the banks of the Nile and from the bus inland. We didn't do Karnak at night so we were happy to see your excellent photos.

We very much enjoyed our post-cruise stay at the Banks in 2014. We either walked to many places we wanted to see or hopped on a tram, including to the Anne Frank House.

Regarding money, I'll add that we also took a supply of US dollars which we used with vendors, found at the entrances to most of the sites, for small souvenirs, especially toward the end when we were short of Egyptian pounds and didn't want to buy more of them.

Our Egyptologist is Mohamed Attia Abdalla. I asked him if he knew Raghib and they're best friends. He immediately texted him that he had gotten a positive mention on the web site. He said that due to the lack of tourism, guides are rotated so that everyone gets some work. We feel very lucky to have received such a wonderful guide.

Interesting they are friends. We we were told that the great Tosca crew is employed elsewhere between the Uniworld sailings.

Thanks for your blogs -- we feel as if we're reliving the cruise.

OPTIONAL ALEXANDRIA TRIP: After we boarded the ship we were told that there was an optional excursion to Alexandria for those who could stay an extra day. It is a full-day trip because it is a three hour drive each way. We couldn't take advantage of it because we'd already booked our airfare. Uniworld had made no mention of this excursion.

We had the same announcement after we boarded. Had we known, we definitely would have booked it. Any future travelers with Uniworld might want to inquire about this when they book.

Do you remember if they offered any gentle excursions for slower walkers? Or in general how difficult were the majority of the walking excursions? Thank you for your help.

We had 28 Uniworld passengers on our cruise, with one Egyptologist. I suspect that until the ships sail again at capacity there may not be slow walker groups. Having said that, we had two passengers with limited walking ability. At our first excursion to a temple, one slipped on the uneven ground and fell. After that, a Uniworld staff member accompanied them and even helped one of them across a plank to a felucca for a sail on the Nile.

I wouldn't call most of the walking difficult, if you watch where you're going on the sometimes uneven ground. There was some climbing up or down temple stairs and down into tombs in the Valley of the Kings. I didn't enter the pyramids but It I understand that was more challenging. In general, there were no places to sit and rest at the temple sites. We usually had a twenty to thirty minute or so leisurely walk through the temple sites with the Egyptologist and then a good amount of time to explore on our own.

I had to remind myself to watch where I was walking, due to gaping at the ancient, awesome sites! It's an absolutely fascinating trip for anyone interested in ancient history, as well as a little glimpse into modern Egypt.

Just read your blog. Our Egyptologist was Mohamed Raghib. While there are of course many Egyptians with the name Mohamed, if yours is the same Mohamed, he will take great care of you (as will any Uniworld guide). We had interesting informal conversations with him about life in Egypt while cruising on the Nile.

We had a great time on the same trip a year ago. I look forward to reading your blog.

Yes, you may bring wine on board. We have enjoyed ours in our room or on the balcony area if we had it. The ship is so small that it's easy to bring coffee or tea back to your room (afternoon tea, in my case). We used room service when we had a butler. Maybe someone else can answer that for the other categories of rooms, especially for morning coffee. Plus there should be a coffee maker in your room.

We are booked on Uniworld's 2018 Danube Christmas cruise so I'm enjoying following along with your cruise. Interesting passenger mix. We're planning to spend a couple of days pre-cruise in Munich. I'm also interested in hearing about your excursions at the various ports. Thanks for posting.

We have cruised on six rivers with Uniworld. Most (but not all) of the optional "experiences" are listed in the Cruise Companion brochure provided a couple of weeks prior to embarkation, as well as online on the day to day descriptions of each itinerary. So we researched the options to help decide which we wanted to book. But it's correct that the price is not available until onboard. We don't book all of the optional tours but enjoyed the ones we did take.

Mozfoz, Thanks for your comments. We will be on the Maria Theresa a year from now for the Christmas to New Years cruise. We have sailed several times with Uniworld (but not on this ship) and each time were warmly greeted upon boarding and accompanied to our room and given an explanation of the room controls. Luggage was promptly delivered. I can appreciate the problem of hanging up heavy coats and just about filling up the closet!

We have used AmEx OBC on Uniworld for optional excursions, massages and the gift shop.

twincheryl, I am so enjoying following your posts. Our first river cruise was on the Danube, Passau to Budapest, in June 2010, and we were hooked. We have booked a 2018 Christmas to New Years cruise, also Passau to Budapest, and hope we get snow, too! We're in the Los Angeles area where it's 83 degrees today, with 6 forest fires burning in San Diego to Ventura

CC readers - can anyone comment on how slick the cobblestones might get in winter - does the rain often turn to ice?

This Southern California girl has the same problem. I am about to test layers with warm undies, a merino wool sweater, fleece vest, hooded heavy fleece jacket with waterproof outer layer, scarf, gloves, wool socks and thick soled shoes, as recommended by CC posters, at Yosemite at night. This is in preparation for a 2018 December Christmas to New Years cruise on the Danube. Maybe it will be cold enough in Yosemite to give me an idea if I will be warm enough. Can you tell I enjoy planning for trips?

My wife and I will be doing Egypt in January with Uniworld. How did you handle tipping while off the ship? From what I've been reading, everyone expects to be tipped.

Besides tipping as described by pinotlover, we needed small change at public or restaurant toilets, the equivalent of about 50 US cents or a dollar. And to a "guide" at Queen Hatshepsut 's temple, who lifted a rope to let me see a small roped off area. I gave him the equivalent of a dollar. Guides inside the tombs at the Valley of the Kings would like a small tip if you pause to hear their explanations, as your Egyptologist cannot enter the tombs with you but will tell you about them before you enter.

LauraS,

Enjoyed your review. We made the same trip in January and thankfully we didn't have overtly ugly Americans in our group. Nor was I aware of anyone skipping the excursions. I was surprised how each temple was unique and how much history we learned, ancient and current. An unforgettable trip for sure.

Shawn needs to go! I'd like to see what Claire can do on her own. I guess we'll see next week.

We were disappointed that the Colgne Cathedral was closed to tourists on Nov 1 for All Saints Day masses. We had hoped to see the magnificent interior and the Shrine of the Three Magi. However, we contented ourselves with more time in the Roman museum next door. When one door closes, often another one opens.

Thanks, notamermaid, for the links to holidays and museum closures.

Any experience using a Wells Fargo ATM card in Europe? Will I find ATM machines that accept them? Thanks!

We have had no problem with Wells Fargo and B of A debit cards in Europe (and Egypt). We always just use ATMs.

We've spent ours on a relaxing massage after a busy day of touring.