msk575

Just returned from a Cruise to Israel. My husband and I used GTI and were most impressed. 

I can't wait for my trip next summer, It will be my second time.

So glad you are back safe and sound, thanks for your POSITIVE report!

I also booked a one day tour with for two people. We did a custom tour. My cruise is in Nov.

We spent 4 days in Dubai, here's a link to how we spent our time in Dubai :

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=41233781#post41233781

I have been to Dubai, never felt unsafe or threatened by the place or the culture.

Tyrasilverman

Thanks for sharing your trip.

Egypt was fascinating. We were unsure even the night before if we were going to call. Other ships had cancelled, but we we so happy with HAL for not doing so. I’m sure they were checking security, as there had been a breach of the American Embassy wall several days prior and embassy murders in Libya.

 

A Cruise Critic group of 20 of us did an overnight tour with Egypt shore excursions, which for we singles was less than 1/3 the price of the HAL tour (same hotel), in a mini-bus. 3 hours from Alexandria to Giza the first day was a long trip, but there was a pleasant roadside stop. Our guide gave us lira to use the toilets (common in the middle east).

 

Our destination was the pyramids at Giza. When we came around the corner it was a-maze-ing! Our guide taught us how to say NO THANKS to the “mosquitoes” of vendors trying to sell you something. “One dollar” they shouted for nearly anything they wanted to see to you. It was not unlike any beach in Mexico, and I found the bartering fun, but many people did not enjoy this part of the location. I bought some pens (10 for $5) and postcards.

 

Could have bought a lot more if I’d had dollars. The vendors indicated that Americans are staying away from Egypt and they were happy to see us there. We saw Saqqra, with the amazing well preserved crypt paintings, which I still can’t believe aren’t covered. You can touch them! We over- nighted at Le Meredien Pyramids in Giza. Beautiful hotel, but I don’t think they can get parts to fix things.

 

Of the three of us singles, one room had no electricity in the wing, my toilet flushed constantly and when I toyed around with the flushing mechanism I realized someone had put a bobby pin in it to hold it to the wall. We had dinner in the hotel, which had a lovely buffet for 180 Egyptian Pounds, , about $30, but we weren’t that hungry.

 

I sat down to a table alone, which I guess in a no-no in Egypt. I wasn’t recognized until my two table mates had arrived. We had martinis and steaks, and it came in under $20 per person. Jeanne ate the salad, we had ice in our drinks, no problems. The elaborate buffet breakfast was included in the a.m. before our group was off at 8:00am.

 

Today we were off to Cairo city center. Woah! 26 million people living here. Drivers have a sophisticated series of horn honks, and pedestrians wait by the roadside for mini-van shared transport, using hand signals to indicate where they are going. These vans stop on freeways to board passengers. It’s a dance, and everyone understands it, except the tourist. Most women wore the hijab, many in full burkas. Some wore very sophisticated clothing, and a hijab. Older women wore scarves tied at the neck.

 

Many men wore the galabia, a long cotton or linen robe. Then there were the cosmopolitan office workers in trendy black pants and button-down shirts and ties. We headed up to the Citadel to see the amazing silver mosque. We were allowed inside, and it is elaborate and ornate.

 

Just simply beautiful! We had a lovely lunch at the Happy Dolphin Restaurant, right on the Nile river. The buffet was varied and plenty. Drinks or bottled water was $2, diet coke $3. A visit to Tahrir Square and the Archaeological Museum was next, but getting there was a trip in itself. Traffic in Cairo is hectic, frenzied and constant, to say the least. As we drove, our guide answered every question we had about the Arab Spring uprising.

 

The museum was filled with many important statues and relics from tombs of pharos and queens. The whole second floor was a portion of the contents of King Tut’s Tome (less what was on display in Seattle at the time), and the gold room worth the price of admission all by itself. Afterward, it was a 3 hour drive to Port Said, through vast desert along the Suez Canal. We kept seeing Maersk Line container ships, all in a row, kind of like a convoy of ships.

 

What I didn’t realize until later, our ship was entering the flotilla and escorted out of Egyptian waters. I felt very safe the whole time in Egypt, and every person I came into contact with seemed genuinely happy to see us. Port Said had a long line of vendors as we headed for the pier, but the same old stuff we’d see for the last two days, nothing new, and we were cutting it close to departure time, so no shopping.

 

I would highly recommend Egyptshoreexcursions.com for the lovely trip at a reasonable price. Far and away the most exciting part of our 16 day cruise.

Miriam

Can you tell us what was included in your tour?

We took a one day excursion with Ramses.

 

I was concerned about getting back on time, about the van breaking down, about missing the ship, etc. All the things the Shore Ex people on the ship stress so you will pay them $250 instead of $75 each with Ramses.

 

Well, there was no reason to worry. We got back before for 'The Boat People', as one of my friends called them, saw more things and had more fun.

 

The group was 11 people in a nice van with a knowledgeable guide and excellent driver. The driver was amazing.

 

 

We used Ramses because others on CC had recommended them for both the one day and the overnight. You would do well to work with them.

 

Communication was clear and fast. When I had concerns about various issues, they were addressed.

 

I highly recommended Ramses.

 

Miriam

We used Leo from tour guided Israel, We had a memorable time, We visited Nazareth, Galilee, Bethlehem, Dead Sea and Jerusalem We were very pleased with the services rendered by Leo.

Do most guides prefer USD or Euros? I'm aware that most tours are paid for at the end of the day with USD.

Thank you in advance.

Thanks for sharing your trip.

Base price for a "deluxe" overnight tour from most companies runs about $250 pp. Some companies have "standard" tours that go to fewer sights and cost less. For comparison, our cruise ship wanted $499 pp for its overnight tour, which was very similar to our private tour (we even used the same hotel).

 

We used Ramses May 19-20, 2012, for an independent overnight tour with 3 other couples from the Pacific Princess. For more information on this excellent tour, please see my post:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showp...&postcount=393

What is the average amount you should pay for water bottles in Egypt ?

Looking for information and cost of tours to Egypt Pyamids, we are cruising there Oct. 12, 2012. What can I expect and the cost of the guided tour