edrbh

[edrbh]

We are four adults going on an Azamara cruise in October. The cruise stops at two ports in Egypt, Port Said and Alexandria. We are interested in arranging personal tours in both locations. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding reputable tour agencies, the need for visas, timing so as not to miss the ship.

Thank you

[1985rz1]

We are four adults going on an Azamara cruise in October. The cruise stops at two ports in Egypt, Port Said and Alexandria. We are interested in arranging personal tours in both locations. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding reputable tour agencies, the need for visas, timing so as not to miss the ship.

Thank you

 

 

You should go to the Azamara Roll Call for your particular ship/cruise. That's where folks exchange ideas about specific cruises.

[Susan-M]

Hello edrbh,

Welcome to Cruise Critic.:)

 

We did a private tour from Alexandria to Cairo during our Azamara cruise last October. It worked out very well ... interesting, less expensive than the ship's tour and much more flexible. It was just my husband and myself, but we were in a van that could easily accommodate 2 or even 4 more people. The guide is from Cairo so she arranged for the driver to pick us up at the port and bring us to Cairo to where we met her. Our plan was to visit the Pyramids, Sphynx, Egyptian Museum and Citadel/Mosque. We were so intrigued by the pyramids that we wanted to have more time there, so we changed our plans once there and skipped the citadel/mosque and just did the pyramids, sphynx and museum.

 

It takes 2.5-3 hours to get to Cairo (and back again) so a long driving day, but worth it if that's your only chance to see the pyramids. We were picked up at the port about 1/2 hour after docking and brought back a couple of hours prior to sailing that night.

 

The guide we used owns her own business and gets very good reviews on Tripadvisor (sister site to Cruise Critic). Her website: http://www.egyptdailytours.com/

 

Also recommend having a look at the Cruise Critic African Ports of Call forum, where you'll find other recommendations for tour operators, plus ideas of what to do during your day in port: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

 

Re Visas; it wasn't necessary to obtain one as the ship provides a form for you to take ashore for the day (same for ports in Turkey as long as you aren't starting or ending your cruise there.)

 

And, as mentioned in the post above, be sure to go to the Roll Call thread for your sailing where you can talk to others who will be on your cruise, and possibly arrange private tours with if you are interested in joining a group of 6 or 8.

 

Good luck with your plans!