ROLL CALL The Spirit November 1 St

[Margate Cruiser]

From Athens to Dubai. Anyone coming from the NYC area as well as the Phila. area. Is there anyone out there that can tell us what hotel to pick in Dubai. Has anyone been able to get any deals on airline tickets with upgrades on business class round trip?

[cands]

Hello,

We're Steve and Chris from Melbourne Australia.

Sorry, can't help with any of your queries as were coming from the wrong direction. (We had to pay for one Business Class ticket to Rome:eek: )

We board a week before you on October 25th.

We are staying on until Singapore, so we have 56 wonderful days to look forward to.

The itinerary is fantastic, don't you agree? So many wonderful places to visit.

 

Cheers,

Steve (and Chris)

[Margate Cruiser]

We were in your wonderful country a few years back when we sailed from Hong Kong to Sydney. That a great cruise as well. We have always met some great people on cruises from your part of the world. We just came back from going around the horn in S.A. We must have had 10 or 15 couples from Australia and New Zealand. This was on the Pride.

[JaneBP]

>" Is there anyone out there that can tell us what hotel to pick in Dubai."

 

I liked the Hilton on the Creek, which is in town, and very convenient. I am not a beach person, but they have a shuttle to their beach hotel. What I really liked was the smallish roof-top pool and bar. One could watch the 'traffic' on the Creek and then see the buildings in the distance. It's small and I had planned to stay there again before I had to cancel that cruise.

 

I suggest having lunch at the Burj alArab in the seafood restaurant, which surrounds a huge aquarioum. That lets you 'in' and you can go up to the top floor lounge and do the shops and sightsee there. I just prefer to go smaller. Might ask you to bring me back some curry powder from the spice market, too!

[cands]

We were in your wonderful country a few years back when we sailed from Hong Kong to Sydney. That a great cruise as well. We have always met some great people on cruises from your part of the world. We just came back from going around the horn in S.A. We must have had 10 or 15 couples from Australia and New Zealand. This was on the Pride.

 

 

Thanks for your nice words about Australia and Australians. We certainly like to travel!

 

This will be our first time on Seabourn and we are naturally very excited.

We normally choose cruises with lots of sea days. The first part of this cruise is very port intensive, so we shall have to pace ourselves.;)

 

We have decided not to overnight in Luxor but instead are organising a very long one-day private tour, arriving back at the ship at about 9:30pm.

I have a great fear of becoming ill in third world countries after being hospitalised in India a few years ago and so will not be eating any local food.

 

Anyway, I look forward to chatting to you more as the months progress.

 

Kind Regards,

Steve.

[Margate Cruiser]

Please let us know about your private tour. It might be worth it to share the tour. With a few couples a van might be in good order. Are you using the ship to make the arrangements? As for Jane will bring you back the chili powder. Will I be able to bring into the country? Maybe we will send it in. We will be staying in Athens a few extra days before the cruise. We are now trying to get the best air fairs with upgrades to business class. It's a 15 hr flight nonstop from Dubai to NYC. That is our preference.

[JaneBP]

I had no problems when I did it. The spices come in plastic containers and I brought a lot: curry powder (mix of spices), saffron (but not the best, according to Chef Markus who says the best comes from Spain), and the BEST cinnamon that I have ever had. It was so aromatic and rich, never knew it could come this way, even when I have bought the sticks.

 

I am jealous, are you flying Emirates?

[Margate Cruiser]

We are trying to work it out with Delta. They have a non stop to Athens as well as a non stop back from Dubai. This is all out JFK.

[cands]

Memphis Tours Egypt

Since 1955

Dear Stephen N ,

Have a lovely day from Memphis tours,Egypt.

First of all,I'd like to thank you for visiting our website www.memphistours.com

 

In ref. to your request,I'd like to offer you the following day tour from Safaga to Luxor taking into consideration that your tour will be private tour as well as you will get free insurance through the tour with Memphis tours :

- Day tour Safaga / Luxor / Safaga on 20th of Nov. 2008 ( Private tour - only you & your family) :

20th of Nov. 2008 : Memphis Tours representative will pick you up from your cruise at Safaga Port for your trip to Luxor by a modern air-conditioned vehicle, approximately 3 hours far from Safaga. Then proceed to the famous Karnak Temples the largest place of worship ever built and the greatest example of worship in history. It was constructed from the beginning of the Middle Kingdom to the Greco Roman Kingdom. Within the complex, the great “Hypostyle Hall” is an incredible forest of giant pillars.

Lunch at local restaurant and then you will move into the West Bank of the River Nile to visit the two colossal statues of Amenhotep III (Colossi of Memnon), and then visit the Valley of the Kings, where the magnificent tombs discovered, those tombs were curved deep into the desert rock, richly decorated and filled with treasures for the afterlife of the pharaohs, you will visit 3 tombs. Continue the tour to visit the Hatshepsut Temple at El Deir El Bahary, this impressive temple dedicated to the Queen Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh rises out of the desert plain in a series of terraces and merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it. At 6 O'clock in the evening, you will be escorted by your guide back to the cruise at port of Safaga Port 21H30 ( 280km ).

 

 

 

Price per person : 145.00 Euro Min 2 person

 

The price include the Following :

• All transfers to/from ports & return by an air-conditioned van
  
• All sightseeing tours (Private Tours), including English Egyptologist guide, entrance fees & transfer by a modern air-conditioned van
  
• A bottle of mineral water during your trip
  
• Lunch time during your trip
  
• Free travel insurance covering your holiday by USD 10,000 by AIG Travel Guard
  
• All taxes & service charge

- I hope that my offer meets your satisfaction.please if you need any more inquiry advise me.



Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours,

Marwa Samir

Senior tour Operator

 

 

Memphis Tours-Egypt

1 Korh Ibn Sherik St. - From Morad St.

Giza - Egypt

[cands]

Please let us know about your private tour. It might be worth it to share the tour. With a few couples a van might be in good order. Are you using the ship to make the arrangements?

 

Hi,

The details in the previous post are pretty self explanatory.

For the overnight tour Seabourn wants $845 pp, which is extortionate.

We would not normally choose to tour independently in such a place as Egypt, but given the ship will not be leaving until the following evening at 6pm, we feel comfortable organising our own tour.

I have read about this extensively on the Africa and Middle east board and found recommedations for the above tour company. (there are many others to choose from).

They were happy to quote on single day and overnight tours.

One thing that is common, no matter if you choose to tour privately, or with the ship, is the security. Everyone will proceed to Luxor in the same convoy of vehicles with an armed security escort!

The Egyptian security forces run these convoys muliple times per day between Safaga and Luxor.

 

Cheers,

Steve.

[johnnycruise]

Steve,

 

There have been a few recent postings on "picnic lunches." Perhaps Egypt is a destination which would allow you to bring a packed meal from ship to shore. If you have been to India you probably are current with your shots, but if not, you may wish to consult your physician regarding HepA/HepB vaccinations. No one wants to return home with liver disease!

 

On a more positive note, I hope you have the time to post photos of your visit to the land of the pharoahs.

 

johnny

[cands]

Steve,

 

There have been a few recent postings on "picnic lunches." Perhaps Egypt is a destination which would allow you to bring a packed meal from ship to shore. If you have been to India you probably are current with your shots, but if not, you may wish to consult your physician regarding HepA/HepB vaccinations. No one wants to return home with liver disease!

 

On a more positive note, I hope you have the time to post photos of your visit to the land of the pharoahs.

 

johnny

 

Hey Johnny,

That's exactly why I was asking about picnic lunches. Well spotted:) . The HepA/HepB vaccs were done a couple of years ago for South America. We'll just have to make sure they're up to date.

 

As far as photos are concerned, be careful what you wish for;) . We always take heaps of photos:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c-j-b/sets/

 

Cheers,

Steve.

[LaPaloma]

Kudos on excellent photos....fell in love with Bess and Puppies..Lola:D

[cands]

Kudos on excellent photos....fell in love with Bess and Puppies..Lola:D

 

Thanks Lola. To keep this on topic, Bess is still with us and will be 14 next month. We also kept one of the black pups from the second litter. Although the cruise is still 7 months away we have great concerns about leaving her for over 8 weeks, even though we have a wonderful house-sitter who loves the dogs.

What can you do? Life goes on.

 

Steve.

[GrannyLorr]

Just bookmarked your photo page, will look forward to looking at them all when I get home to cheap internet!! Love the Meerkats my grandsons favourite animals! (were his favs before they became famous on TV)

Looking forward to the pics from your trip....

[Margate Cruiser]

Be very interested in joinging. Doesn't seabourn ahve a day trip as well? But this trip looks great. Steve and Judy

[JaneBP]

>" The HepA/HepB vaccs were done a couple of years ago for South America. We'll just have to make sure they're up to date."

 

You should not need them again, but should have had a follow-up blood work to check your titres. Also, don't forget an up-to-date Tetanus status. Typhoid and Polio are also recommended (http://www.cdc.gov). At my travel medicine clinic they also recommended a flu vaccine as well, since it's endemic.

[LaPaloma]

Thanks Lola. To keep this on topic, Bess is still with us and will be 14 next month. We also kept one of the black pups from the second litter. Although the cruise is still 7 months away we have great concerns about leaving her for over 8 weeks, even though we have a wonderful house-sitter who loves the dogs.

What can you do? Life goes on.

 

Steve.

 

We have the same concerns with our 14 year old weimie. We recently left her for 2 weeks and noticed a difference on our return, but only for a couple of days...then she was back bouncing around [though rear end lets her down a lot]..none the less for the experience. We have taken on the attitude that our weimies have a wonderful life, and their pennance is to let us travel once in a while. We have learned not to feel ashamed..as we totally make up for it on a daily basis with the "good life" for them. Lola

[cands]

Just bookmarked your photo page, will look forward to looking at them all when I get home to cheap internet!! Love the Meerkats my grandsons favourite animals! (were his favs before they became famous on TV)

Looking forward to the pics from your trip....

 

Thanks GrannyLorr. Your wonderful travelogue and photos from your Spirit trip are an inspiration to us.

 

We look forward to the photos from your latest jaunt:)

 

Cheers,

Steve and Christopher

[cands]

Be very interested in joinging. Doesn't seabourn ahve a day trip as well? But this trip looks great. Steve and Judy

 

Steve an Judy,

Yes, it looks quite good, doesn't it?

Let's wait a bit and see what Seabourn offers as far a one day tours are concerned, and at least until after final payment time. I'm sure it will be fine to book a couple of months out from departure.

Interestingly the price per person is the same, whether travelling with 2 or 4.

We quite like the idea of being in a group of 4.

 

Cheers,

Steve and Christopher

[cands]

>" The HepA/HepB vaccs were done a couple of years ago for South America. We'll just have to make sure they're up to date."

 

You should not need them again, but should have had a follow-up blood work to check your titres. Also, don't forget an up-to-date Tetanus status. Typhoid and Polio are also recommended (www.cdc.gov). At my travel medicine clinic they also recommended a flu vaccine as well, since it's endemic.

 

Wow Jane, it makes one wonder why anybody would want to visit!

 

I know Tetanus is definitely up to date and my employer provides a flu shot each autumn (next month for us).

I'll make a note to check with the GP next time I visit.

 

Having made all these precautions I hope Spirit is a 'well' ship. Some cruise ships seem to be incubators for colds etc. Most long cruises I have been on I ended up getting a chest or head cold.

 

Fingers crossed for this time.

 

Steve.

[cands]

We have the same concerns with our 14 year old weimie. We recently left her for 2 weeks and noticed a difference on our return, but only for a couple of days...then she was back bouncing around [though rear end lets her down a lot]..none the less for the experience. We have taken on the attitude that our weimies have a wonderful life, and their pennance is to let us travel once in a while. We have learned not to feel ashamed..as we totally make up for it on a daily basis with the "good life" for them. Lola

 

Beautifully said Lola. And thank goodness for Rimadyl!

 

Steve.

[JaneBP]

>"... flu shot each autumn (next month for us)"

 

Remember, the flu shot gives passive immunity for about 12 weeks only. Check to see if it's recommended to get another one before you sail. I got one in October for Egypt (cancelled) and then again in January for South America.

[hoya68]

We will be joining the ship in Alexandria and would be interested in joining a private tour to Luxor. You are in for a great experience on Seabourn. Incidentally, the lecturers who are joining the ship in Alexandria are first-rate and a great couple!

 

Steve A. (not to be confused with the original Steve who began this thread).

[cands]

Hi Steve. That's 3 Steves now. Any more?

 

Are you splending time in Egypt before the cruise?

 

What's your topic?

 

Look forward to chatting to you over the coming months.

 

Steve.