Has anyone been on the MS Neptune on the Nile?

[cormike1]

There is a thread before this one titled "Egypt-Escalating Revolution-Uniworld Response" asking what Uniworld would do to keep people safe, etc. Uniworld responded and said that all it quiet in Cairo today and they said that the safety of their passengers was the first thing they look at and all of their tours are on time and went to the Egyptian Museum on time today. They said they talk to their ground crew in Egypt to make sure that everything is alright for the passengers. I live in Canada and I have registered with our government for our Egyptian vacation and like TexanCruizer said, they send updates and would let me know via e-mail if it was not safe to travel to Egypt. Good idea to do that if you can Suzie. So far it looks okay....I hope so!!!!

[simpjo]

Hi all,
Tex, good idea to pass on, I heard the news too, thought of Suzie and checked for warnings and saw none whew. From what little I gathered it was a planned demonstration that went bad, so hopefully it's not serious and random riots. I'm glad they are mad at themselves versus us!

Suzie how is your TA's husband doing, she is still going? I've cranked up my planning I'm now 3 months give or take since I leave 5/5 and time is going to fly. Im still checking to see if I can take an earlier tour at the price I got and no luck so I'll just hold on .
I'm also checking on next year's trip and I think I've talked myself into India. It takes my mind off my current trip for a while and gives me something else to focus on while I wait. I will probably make a decision after this trip.

Keep all the information coming guys, I've been quiet but like everyone else I check almost daily.

Jo Ann

[slimsloany]

Thanks guys! You sure know how to make a girl feel better. I actually talked to my friend and her husband is still in the hospital and may have to stay until Friday. She still plans on going. Her daughter is going to take Dad home with her and my son is getting the dog to care for. I went to the State Dept website and found the info on the demonstrations. I will register with them tomorrow and it is a very good idea.....thanks. Deep breath.........go for it.
Thanks again for the support.
Suzie

[jkw99]

Thought I was being smart by changing some money at our local bank before we left (only 2 weeks now!) Well-not so smart. I asked for SMALL bills and when I went to pick them up today, I found they had sent me only $100 & $200 EP bills. When I complained that I did not consider them "small", the answer was that was the smallest bills they had!
What with the demonstrations in Cairo & my bad experience at Chase with the money exchange, I am hoping things get better from now on.:D

Judy

[Phoenix cruiser]

jwk99- you will be fine. We did the same thing with our bank. When I checked in at the hotel I just asked the cashier to exchnage some of the 100LE notes (which are like $20 bills in value) for smaller bills and it was done. The only thing we never had an easy time with was 1LE coins, very hard to find. We ended up tipping more with $1 US since I had brought a stack of them. I didn't lose much sleep over spending $50 in tips vs $10 averaged over a trip of a lifetime!

[Quilting Queen]

I sent an e-mail to our travel agent so she can research the insurance coverage. I found several items about terrorists but not much about civil unrest. I hope this is resolved before we go at the end of March.

I hope the others that are going in February get some mental relief about the political conditions in Egypt.

Norine

[Quilting Queen]

I sent an e-mail to our travel agent so she can research the insurance coverage. I found several items about terrorists but not much about civil unrest. I hope this is resolved before we go at the end of March.

I hope the others that are going in February get some mental relief about the political conditions in Egypt.

Norine

[slimsloany]

OK, it is what it is. I think we will be fine. I'm just hoping that all is quieted down by the time we get there. 3 weeks away and I am ready for whatever is sent our way.
About money, I'm taking a stack of $1 bills, if these folks are having demonstrations about money and jobs, a US$1 should be good.
Not worried about LE until we get there.
No travel docs yet, I thought they got them online 3 weeks before you go! Not so far, but I refuse to stress about it, I will be patient.
Suzie

;)

[slimsloany]

:mad:

Ok, so today, I'm not so patient. Things are lookin' ugly over there and my TP's son-in-law has friends in Egypt who say it is not safe to go. I have to rely on Gate 1 to make the right decision about going and I have faith that they will do that. I just wish my tour guide was Indiana Jones, whip and all!
My TA says that she thinks the reason my travel docs are not available right now is because of the civil unrest and demonstrations, so I guess that is a sign that they are making sure they aren't sending innocent people into a very dangerous situation.
But, darnit, I want to see Egypt
:cool:
Suzie

[simpjo]

Hey Suzie
I'm not sure if this is good or bad but it's a link to news about Egypt
[url]http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/[/url]
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it works out at the same time you have to safe. Have checked gate 1 site? Didn't know if they would post anything.
Jo Ann

[slimsloany]

Jo Ann,
I have been on the Gate 1 website all day as well as the US State Dept site.
My TA has no news and my travel docs that should have been available today, were not. Not stressin'. If Gate 1 comes up with a plan, fine, if not, I am willing to go on another trip to Southeast Asia or South America instead. They were on my travel list too. My TP is probably going to call it quits because her husband is not doing well after open heart surgery. i told her to claim medical necessity and they will refund her. i can't refund and neither can another friend. We may choose another trip. Hey, you have to be flexible and I have many destinations on my travel list. I'll be patient.
Suzie

:o

[simpjo]

It may work out, but I like your attitude, we all have pretty big bucket lists.
Jo Ann

[jkw99]

:( I suppose everyone has the news by now. At this time all Gate 1 Egypt tours have been cancelled for the whole month of February. :(:(:( I am so disappointed but relieved that we finally have definite news. We were supposed to leave Feb 10. Nothing much available so looks like we spend our vacation in the frozen north (Illinois). :eek:

Judy

[simpjo]

Wow, I hadn't heard but I found this on the AP:

Late Friday afternoon, Gate 1 Travel, a U.S.-based tour-booking company, which sends several thousand Americans to Egypt each year, cancelled all scheduled Egypt tour departures through the end of February. "Multiple airlines have announced service suspensions which will dramatically affect travellers in Egypt and of course travellers scheduled to depart in the near term," said Gate 1 spokesman Marty Seslow. Another tour company, Road Scholar, based in Boston, cancelled a program scheduled for Feb. 6.

I'm not going until May and I'm rethinking this somewhat. I'm going to wait but if a new government takes over I want to make sure it stable but like Suzie I will be going somewhere but my heart is set on Egypt especially since I got a really good price!

All those traveling in March on - stay on the board and let us know what happens. Suzie I'd like to hear where you decided to go and even if this is the Egypt board, tell us about your trip.

Jo Ann

[slimsloany]

It's over. I have heard from my TA and from Gate1 and they were very helpful. I willl be going to Thailand or Croatia................probably Thai since it is warmer and I'm sick of cold and snow!
Thanks to all for the kind words and helpful hints. You have been the best! I have not given up on travel to Egypt,just delayed. Blessings to all!
Suzie

[simpjo]

Judy,
Bummer, hopefully you will get to vacation later in the year.
I'm curious did Gate 1 refund your money or offer a credit?
Jo Ann

[jkw99]

I talked to an agent at Gate 1 late Friday night. The letter they sent indicated "..
[SIZE=2]All efforts are being made to obtain refunds of your payments, which are being held by our suppliers, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, etc. Although we can make no promises on their behalf, we trust that they will act responsibly and refund your money. Gate 1 Travel will not impose any fees.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]We will also assist those passengers who wish to rebook travel to another destination or who wish to reschedule their tour. Please contact our reservation agents at 800-682-3333 if you would like assistance with another Gate 1 Travel destination...It may take up to several weeks for us to finalize agreements with our suppliers and process refunds."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]The Gate 1 agent was very sympathetic but non-commital. We had purchased travel insurance but "civic unrest" is not listed as a condition for refund. Not sure what to expect.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Maybe next year! (I sound like a Chicago Cubs fan!!)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Take care.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Judy [/SIZE]

[slimsloany]

Judy,
You also sound like a Browns/Indians fan..........lol! One of the Egypt travelers and I met yesterday and have looked strongly at the Thailand with River Kwai. We'll see what turns up.
Thanks again all, I will come back from..........wherever and let you know how it went. I'm still hearing that Gate 1 delivers. I went to a couple of websites to check out opinions of Thailand from Gate 1 travelrs and they are making glowing comments.
The trip I'm looking at is escorted and looks wonderful.
Isn't it a shame that the crisis in Egypt is destroying the antiquities? I am so upset as I watch the looters destroying artifacts in the museum. I hope there is enough of Egypt left when I do go.
So, suwadee
Suzie

[cormike1]

Well it is official....we have cancelled our Feb. 21st Egyptian tour. I phoned our TA this a.m. and she had anticipated my call and was already working on our refund. So far we haven't heard whether the actual tour company we were travelling with had cancelled their tours and she has a call into their rep in Egypt to see what is going on. Our insurance policty was with a different company and as soon as the Cdn gov't posted the "non essential travel warning" on its website, meant we could get a full refund. I am so sad as I was looking forward to this for so long. Oh well better here than there and trying to get home. So it has been fun chatting to all of you for the past couple of months. Thanks for all the tips from the lucky ones that got to go to Egypt already and it was a pleasure chatting with the people trying to go on their dream trip and keeping me so excited over the past couple of weeks. May we all be able to have our trip to Egypt realized very soon!!!

Corinne

[Phoenix cruiser]

Sorry for all those who have yet to go- but the pyramids lasted over 4000 years and will surely still be there next year! Let us hope that the turmoil leads to better things.

[texancruzer]

I too am feeling so bummed for those who were still to go and now find themselves unable to. Dh and I were talking last night at length about the fact that we were so fortunate to have booked when we did. It really was luck as his work schedule is crazy and it just works out that we can mostly take our longer trips in the fall. Sometimes there are other "openings" but not many.

I find my thoughts wandering from time to time to those who made our trip so special - our guide Ayman, our drivers and guards. I hope they are safe and well and all this doesnt put too much hardship on them. One of our drivers wife had a baby on the day he drove us to Memphis/Saqarra. Those who work the tourist industry definately have it much better than others - but when the tourists stop coming - well, so does the $$$. I hope it all works out soon - for everyone.

[simpjo]

[quote name='slimsloany']Judy,
You also sound like a Browns/Indians fan..........lol! One of the Egypt travelers and I met yesterday and have looked strongly at the Thailand with River Kwai. We'll see what turns up.
Thanks again all, I will come back from..........wherever and let you know how it went. I'm still hearing that Gate 1 delivers. I went to a couple of websites to check out opinions of Thailand from Gate 1 travelrs and they are making glowing comments.
The trip I'm looking at is escorted and looks wonderful.
Isn't it a shame that the crisis in Egypt is destroying the antiquities? I am so upset as I watch the looters destroying artifacts in the museum. I hope there is enough of Egypt left when I do go.
So, suwadee
Suzie[/QUOTE]
Suzie,
Will you email me regarding your replacement trip. I've decided to switch to another tour, just not sure what the "new" government will be and prefer to wait until it's stable ha,ha. I am looking at Vietnam, India and Thailand, China, Eucador - I'm all over the place but it would nice to travel with someone I feel like I already know.

This is out to everyone who is now changing their plans.

My email is [email]simpjo@gmail.com[/email]

[buie]

[quote name='texancruzer']I too am feeling so bummed for those who were still to go and now find themselves unable to. Dh and I were talking last night at length about the fact that we were so fortunate to have booked when we did. It really was luck as his work schedule is crazy and it just works out that we can mostly take our longer trips in the fall. Sometimes there are other "openings" but not many.

I find my thoughts wandering from time to time to those who made our trip so special - our guide Ayman, our drivers and guards. I hope they are safe and well and all this doesnt put too much hardship on them. One of our drivers wife had a baby on the day he drove us to Memphis/Saqarra. Those who work the tourist industry definately have it much better than others - but when the tourists stop coming - well, so does the $$$. I hope it all works out soon - for everyone.[/quote]

We so agree with you guys, Cheryl. Well said.

[NavCom]

[quote name='simpjo']Suzie,
Will you email me regarding your replacement trip. I've decided to switch to another tour, just not sure what the "new" government will be and prefer to wait until it's stable ha,ha. I am looking at Vietnam, India and Thailand, China, Eucador - I'm all over the place but it would nice to travel with someone I feel like I already know.

This is out to everyone who is now changing their plans.

My email is [email]simpjo@gmail.com[/email][/QUOTE]

We also are somewhat concerned by the "goings on" in Egypt but are still planning to go in November on the assumption that the "problems" will be resolved before the heat of summer sets in.

If we do not go, we are considering the possibility of reactivating a grand tour of Peru that we planned several years ago and gave up when one of those "gotta take this cruse" deals came up. Anybody up for a Peruvian holiday?

[texancruzer]

Looked at Peru but pushed it back on the "to do" list......but I am curious as to who you are going to India with ????