Azamara (specific) Shore Excursions in Egypt

[njguy_south]

Has anyone booked shore excursions through Azamara in either Cairo or Luxor?  I am curious your review of those specific ports, as purchased through the cruise line. What general type of transportation did they use? Were the tours rushed? How many were on the tours? Did you get to enjoy being at the ancient sites?  Thanks!

[crzrr]

Last November we booked excursions in both Cairo and Luxor.  We thought that both were very good.  We were in full sized busses.  Never felt rushed.  We seemed to have enough time every where that we went.  The one in Luxor was the overnight that they offer.  One of the benefits was that we were at The Valley of the Kings right when it opened.  No lines and got to see everything we wanted.. including adding an extra ticket to see the tomb of Seti I.  Others have talked about doing this privately and, if you read some of the roll calls for this itinerary, you can get the names of private tour companies.  We were more comfortable going with AZ.  

[Grandma Cruising]

We’ve done an overnight to Luxor & the Valley of the Kings with Your Egypt Tours. It was excellent. In a minibus with plenty of space & used the same hotel Azamara used - Steigenberger.

[ECCruise]

For Luxor at least, I would investigate what private tours are available.

 

We did Luxor overnight, just the 2 of us and had a guide and driver with us the full time, a beautiful Nile view room (also at the Steigenberger) Luxor and Valley of the Kings all included (extra little bit for Tut's tomb, the least impressive, IMHO). 

 

While the Azamara tours were headed back on the long drive to Safaga, we were having a leisurely dinner at one of the Steigenberger's restaurants (our cost) before heading to our huge balcony.

 

At not much more $$$ than the one day trips from the ship. 

[Grandma Cruising]

I’d agree, definitely do an overnight, whether it’s the ships tour or a private one.

[njguy_south]

Yes, I want to do an overnight, but wanted feedback on other's experience specifically with Azamara tours to Cairo and Luxor, before I go private.

[Grandma Cruising]

1 hour ago, njguy_south said:

Yes, I want to do an overnight, but wanted feedback on other's experience specifically with Azamara tours to Cairo and Luxor, before I go private.

We also did a day tour from Alexandria to Cairo to see the pyramids & the museum with Azamara. We had hoped to see the new GEM museum in Cairo, but it wasn’t yet open (and still isn’t). The old Cairo museum was packed and therefore it was quite hard to see the exhibits clearly. Pyramid visit was good - you get hassled a bit, but if you just say no they’re OK. It’s a very long day and a very long drive there and back 

[Dynacruiser]

On 8/30/2023 at 2:29 PM, njguy_south said:

Has anyone booked shore excursions through Azamara in either Cairo or Luxor?  I am curious your review of those specific ports, as purchased through the cruise line. What general type of transportation did they use? Were the tours rushed? How many were on the tours? Did you get to enjoy being at the ancient sites?  Thanks!

 

We did an Azamara day trip from Alexandria to Cairo last year.

 

Bottom line (or "executive summary"):  I would do it again with Azamara.

 

Pros: several full-size buses going together, the buses were full but were comfortable,  we had police escort (so I heard, I was too busy looking at the country side), and had security from Azamara in the bus with us.  The security person actually helped us keep some of those pesky salespeople away sometimes.   Didn't feel rushed but it depends on your personal desires and acceptance of a schedule (which is clearly communicated).   We felt we had plenty of time to see the pyramids and the Sphynx, despite the massive crowds.   Lunch buffet was OK, but we didnt get sick so that's a big plus.   Museum visit was well organized.   Traffic was terrible but I assume that the police escort helps navigate traffic.  If something had happened and there was a delay, Azamara would have waited for you.

 

Cons:  you are subject to their schedule.   If you want to spend more time at a particular place, then you should go private.  I always hear people complain that they wanted to spend more or less time at a particular place, but I prefer to just accept what I get (except that I hate stopping at souvenir shops).  

 

I recall that the tour to Cairo had good buses, but the Alexandria tour the next day had old, ugly ones:  For the Alexandria day trip, it was hard to hear the guide, the rugs were destroyed, it didnt seem very clean.  Somebody said that those are typical tour buses in Alexandra.

 

Visa requirements:   We did not get a clear answer from Azamara if a visa was needed or not, so we just applied for one online a couple of weeks before the trip, at a cost of $50? $100? per person? can't recall.  Once we arrived, it appeared that a visa was not necessary.  Egypt tourist office should be providing better information, not necessarily Azamara, but I feel Azamara could have provided better communication prior to the trip.   I believe somebody mentioned that if you were going on a private tour, then you had to have a visa ahead of time, but I'm not sure about that.

[Kailyn]

On 8/30/2023 at 5:54 PM, ECCruise said:

For Luxor at least, I would investigate what private tours are available.

 

We did Luxor overnight, just the 2 of us and had a guide and driver with us the full time, a beautiful Nile view room (also at the Steigenberger) Luxor and Valley of the Kings all included (extra little bit for Tut's tomb, the least impressive, IMHO). 

 

While the Azamara tours were headed back on the long drive to Safaga, we were having a leisurely dinner at one of the Steigenberger's restaurants (our cost) before heading to our huge balcony.

 

At not much more $$$ than the one day trips from the ship. 

 

I'd love the name of the company you used, thank you!

[ECCruise]

8 minutes ago, Kailyn said:

 

I'd love the name of the company you used, thank you!

Ramasside Tours

 

We were pleased with the experience from beginning to end.