Cruising Nile River

[nwsteve]

While not ideal, apparently it is getting more safe to tour the Nile and Egypt's pyramids again. Because of big drop in tourism, some bargains seem available.
Any experience from other Forum members for this trip? We are currently looking at identical river cruises from Viking and Uniworld. Well, not quite identical since Viking with a new ship wants about 2k more than Uniworld.
Thanks in advance

[Texas Proud]

We went before all the problems over there... cannot comment on which one to use as I do not remember which company I used...


The one big problem is the locals... they are harassing you constantly to buy stuff.... even inside the sites there are people who will be dressed and jump into your picture and want money for that... I had one guy come up and talk to me about something and they want money for being a guide!!!


You do not get much time at any of the sites... you have to hurry through them all... but at least you get a flavor of them...

[Senator]

I saw a Imax movie, Mystery of the Nile. That is as close as I ever want to get. Even those experienced people could have been killed. They were shot at, almost got ate by Crocs, and some even quit early due to fears of being killed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZQUxtjPIts

[OldShooter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwsteve While not ideal, apparently it is getting more safe to tour the Nile and Egypt's pyramids again. Because of big drop in tourism, some bargains seem available. Any experience from other Forum members for this trip? We are currently looking at identical river cruises from Viking and Uniworld. Well, not quite identical since Viking with a new ship wants about 2k more than Uniworld. Thanks in advance

We did that trip in 2008. Very worthwhile. It will give you a new perspective on history. The Crusades, for example, were relatively recent and the Roman empire was not that long ago.

We always travel with local companies so our trip was probably much less in a Western "bubble" than you will have with Viking or Uniworld. We had a private guide and driver in the north, then took the overnight train upriver and came back down on one of the many riverboats. That part was group travel, unfortunately, so we had to travel in the usual small herds.

Re vendors, locals, etc. these are desperately poor people trying to scratch out a living. It was difficult before but now with the overthrow of Mubarak scaring away all the tourists it has to be worse. Good on you for going and please remember that these are fellow human beings. Regardless of beggars and vendors, much of your trip cost is spent in-country and they need it!

I would not give safety a thought. Statistically speaking your risk from terrorism is zero. You are probably more likely to sprain an ankle in one of the temples or on the way out of the bar on the boat.

I kind of smile when I see @Senator's posts. With all the shooting in Las Vegas and now in Texas, I'd guess he is planning to flee the USA due to ubiquitous danger. (Assuming he is serious, that is and not being sarcastic.)

[Sunset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senator I saw a Imax movie, Mystery of the Nile. That is as close as I ever want to get. Even those experienced people could have been killed. They were shot at, almost got ate by Crocs, and some even quit early due to fears of being killed. ...

Wow, I'm not going to watch a 47 minute movie without popcorn

[Sunset]

OP - I saw one Viking cruise and it spent only a little time on a boat with lots of hotel and flying. Is that what you are considering ?

[nwsteve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunset OP - I saw one Viking cruise and it spent only a little time on a boat with lots of hotel and flying. Is that what you are considering ?

Actually 3 days in Cairo and week on boat--this itinerary is pretty close for both providers, https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/c...iro/index.html
Uniworld's boat built in 2009 and Viking this yr. Also Viking trip is for half the number of passengers (42vs 84) as Uniworld. Uniworld has the most experience on this route
Nwsteve


























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[Texas Proud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldShooter We did that trip in 2008. Very worthwhile. It will give you a new perspective on history. The Crusades, for example, were relatively recent and the Roman empire was not that long ago. We always travel with local companies so our trip was probably much less in a Western "bubble" than you will have with Viking or Uniworld. We had a private guide and driver in the north, then took the overnight train upriver and came back down on one of the many riverboats. That part was group travel, unfortunately, so we had to travel in the usual small herds. Re vendors, locals, etc. these are desperately poor people trying to scratch out a living. It was difficult before but now with the overthrow of Mubarak scaring away all the tourists it has to be worse. Good on you for going and please remember that these are fellow human beings. Regardless of beggars and vendors, much of your trip cost is spent in-country and they need it! I would not give safety a thought. Statistically speaking your risk from terrorism is zero. You are probably more likely to sprain an ankle in one of the temples or on the way out of the bar on the boat. I kind of smile when I see @Senator's posts. With all the shooting in Las Vegas and now in Texas, I'd guess he is planning to flee the USA due to ubiquitous danger. (Assuming he is serious, that is and not being sarcastic.)

I am fine with the vendors trying to sell me something, but they cannot take a NO for an answer... they follow you and hound you... I want to see the SIGHTS and not these people... if all they did was hawk their goods at a location that is OK by me, but following me around and ruining my visit is not... also, jumping into my picture without me wanting them in it and them demanding to get paid for it... I did not pay, but that just made them bother you more...

We just got back from China and there was a lady with a baby and she was shaking a jar in my face for me to contribute... while walking around her she hit me with the jar!!!

[OldShooter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwsteve Actually 3 days in Cairo and week on boat--this itinerary is pretty close for both providers, https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/c...iro/index.html Uniworld's boat built in 2009 and Viking this yr. Also Viking trip is for half the number of passengers (42vs 84) as Uniworld. Uniworld has the most experience on this route

42 pax vs 84pax would be a no-brainer for me. Re experience trust me, the captain has a zero chance of getting lost on that route. Other than that, they are all using the same pool of guides and the guides live there.

3 days in Cairo sounds a little scant. Don't miss the big national museum in Cairo and, of course they will be taking you to Giza. Take a camel ride if you haven't done one before. Getting on and off a camel, even with a tourist saddle, is one of life's great experiences! There will probably be a cute little kid who will beg to take your camera to take your picture on the camel. He'll expect to get paid; it's worth it. (IIRC think our kid started by asked for $20 and settled for $1 after we laughed at him for making a good try.) The Citadel of Salah Ed-Din (aka to Westerners: Saladin) is a good stop too.

[OldShooter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Proud I am fine with the vendors trying to sell me something, but they cannot take a NO for an answer... they follow you and hound you... I want to see the SIGHTS and not these people... if all they did was hawk their goods at a location that is OK by me, but following me around and ruining my visit is not... also, jumping into my picture without me wanting them in it and them demanding to get paid for it... I did not pay, but that just made them bother you more... We just got back from China and there was a lady with a baby and she was shaking a jar in my face for me to contribute... while walking around her she hit me with the jar!!!

Yes, it can be a pain. But these people may be "living" on a dollar or two a day. If you were one of them, how would you behave when a busload of incomprehensibly rich people showed up? If they really get to you, ask your guide or fixer for help. Don't be the ugly American and don't forget the most insistent beggar is a human being just like you. The main difference is that you made a better choice of parents than he/she did. Before you ever pooped in a diaper you had won life's lottery.

[SheitlQueen]

While I haven't done the river cruise, I was in Egypt right before the first gulf war.
It's a fabulous country and I highly recommend going. I felt safe as long as we were
with our guides. We didn't venture out from the hotel because it was annoying being
harassed by store keepers literally trying to physically drag you into their store and
running into beggars constantly.
If I took photos with locals in it, I usually gave them a buck. They are desperately poor and the dollar didn't make a bit of difference to me, but it sure does to them.
The temples, pyramids, and all the other archeological treasures are well worth the visit.
Make sure not to eat any food, water or drink anything outside of a hotel or off the cruise boat. People have gotten sick from it, you have to be careful.

[Hermit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senator I saw a Imax movie, Mystery of the Nile. That is as close as I ever want to get. Even those experienced people could have been killed. They were shot at, almost got ate by Crocs, and some even quit early due to fears of being killed.

About 19 minutes into the movie they show a stone bridge with a section replaced with a wooden foot bridge. A friend of mine built that foot bridge. It was the first bridge and the beginning of an amazing charitable organization that has gone on to build another 200 such bridges around the world. It was really neat to see the bridge in the movie. BTW, he retired quite early.

[walkinwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermit About 19 minutes into the movie they show a stone bridge with a section replaced with a wooden foot bridge. A friend of mine built that foot bridge. It was the first bridge and the beginning of an amazing charitable organization that has gone on to build another 200 such bridges around the world. It was really neat to see the bridge in the movie. BTW, he retired quite early.

Is that org Bridges to Prosperity?
If so...in an amazing coincidence, DW sent me a news article that talked about that organization earlier today. They're trying to build one in Denver !!

[Hermit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkinwood Is that org Bridges to Prosperity? If so...in an amazing coincidence, DW sent me a news article that talked about that organization earlier today. They're trying to build one in Denver !!

Yes. Their main office is in Denver now.

[Crewer]

We went two years ago with an alumni association group (only 20 people + guide + armed escorts that govt provides to tour groups and has since the 90s). The school had an arrangement with the tour agency. The trip was fantastic beyond my imagination and well worth the cost. The tour included 3 or 4 days on the Nile and 3 or 4 days on Lake Nasser plus time in Cairo and Luxor for a total of 12 days or so.

The 20th temple we saw was as interesting as the first. The guide was amazing and after we toured a site he'd negotiate with the people selling things to keep them somewhat at bay. We did do some sightseeing on our own (DH and me without the group) in Luxor and had a few people bother us but it wasn't too bad. I did some shopping in Luxor on my own (just me - DH back at the hotel) and had a great time talking with the proprietors. The souvenirs are not made in China but by the local cottage industries. I bought stuff and would have bought more if I had taken more dollars. I thought we'd get local currency at an ATM but the locals preferred US dollars. I even bought a couple day old English newspapers (how did that vendor know I was a newspaper addict?!)

Hard to pick a fav place but Luxor seemed magical (maybe because DH and I got out by ourselves). I recommend you go and the bonus is no lines to get into tombs at Valley of the Kings or anywhere else.

Generally I did feel better sticking with the group especially in Cairo. The only disturbing thing was when the young woman with us from the alumni office had her boobs grabbed (at the market and I was with her in a group walking and browsing - it happened so fast).

[Sunset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crewer We went two years ago with an alumni association group (only 20 people + guide + armed escorts that govt provides to tour groups and has since the 90s). The school had an arrangement with the tour agency. The trip was fantastic beyond my imagination and well worth the cost. The tour included 3 or 4 days on the Nile and 3 or 4 days on Lake Nasser plus time in Cairo and Luxor for a total of 12 days or so. The 20th temple we saw was as interesting as the first. The guide was amazing and after we toured a site he'd negotiate with the people selling things to keep them somewhat at bay. We did do some sightseeing on our own (DH and me without the group) in Luxor and had a few people bother us but it wasn't too bad. I did some shopping in Luxor on my own (just me - DH back at the hotel) and had a great time talking with the proprietors. The souvenirs are not made in China but by the local cottage industries. I bought stuff and would have bought more if I had taken more dollars. I thought we'd get local currency at an ATM but the locals preferred US dollars. I even bought a couple day old English newspapers (how did that vendor know I was a newspaper addict?!) Hard to pick a fav place but Luxor seemed magical (maybe because DH and I got out by ourselves). I recommend you go and the bonus is no lines to get into tombs at Valley of the Kings or anywhere else. Generally I did feel better sticking with the group especially in Cairo. The only disturbing thing was when the young woman with us from the alumni office had her boobs grabbed (at the market and I was with her in a group walking and browsing - it happened so fast).

The need for armed guards is a turn off for us. So how do you view that you had armed guards and yet went off on your own or with you spouse (and not the armed guards) ?

[Teacher Terry]

I hate when people follow you and hound you. I went to Mexico once where this happened. I wanted a piece of stained glass to hang but couldn't even look in peace. It made me nervous and all I wanted to do was flee. I ended up buying it in San Diego. I have been to Poland a few times and the last time a gypsy was trying to get $. I was nice but she got obnoxious to the point that I put my hand out saying stop and yelling at her. She persisted until a couple of old Polish women started yelling at her.

[OldShooter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunset The need for armed guards is a turn off for us. So how do you view that you had armed guards and yet went off on your own or with you spouse (and not the armed guards) ?

The police situation in Egypt is complex. When we were there, I saw three or four types of police. One was the "Tourist Police," another was "Traffic Police" who were standing along the busy roads every block or two, and there were a couple of other flavors. I finally figured out that this plethora of police was sort of a make-work scheme that let Mubarak keep a large force available to suppress civil unrest. That was their real role. As it happened, even with that force things didn't turn out so well for him.

Even in 2008 we saw tourist police standing around in tourist areas. Some of them drew a side income in bribes from vendors that they permitted to set up in otherwise prohibited areas.

There have been cases of tourist groups being attacked in Egypt but mostly in the Sinai and the Red Sea areas I think. This is a long way from where the OP will be going, but I think it is also true that there is a lot of illogical fear that has been holding tourism down. Since the tourism dollars are desperately needed, it doesn't surprise me that there are extra tourist police around now. This also reduces the already-small probability of an incident in Giza or other popular areas -- an event that would be devastating for the economy.

So, bottom line, I would not interpret the extra tourist police as being due to any kind of serious risk.

I am sure that there are potential tourists to the US who have canceled trips because of the Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs shootings despite the fact that they have no statistical significance at all. Same story for Egypt but there the economic impact of the fear is far greater.

[Texas Proud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teacher Terry I hate when people follow you and hound you. I went to Mexico once where this happened. I wanted a piece of stained glass to hang but couldn't even look in peace. It made me nervous and all I wanted to do was flee. I ended up buying it in San Diego. I have been to Poland a few times and the last time a gypsy was trying to get $. I was nice but she got obnoxious to the point that I put my hand out saying stop and yelling at her. She persisted until a couple of old Polish women started yelling at her.

Yea, that is the big problem... they want to sell you the first thing you look at... and do not want to give you time to brouse... we were in a few shops and they kept getting in the way and saying 'how much will you pay'.... well, nothing as I have not yet found what I want... and since you will not leave me alone I do not want to look anymore...


I do not mind the people who stand around and show their goods to everybody and shout out a price... but getting in my face and following me around is too much.... I will NEVER buy anything from them...

[Crewer]

I didn't feel unsafe in Luxor being on our own and we only got hounded a little but they left when we just said no thanks. Egyptian govt has provided the guards to tour groups since the late 90s when groups of Swiss, German, and Japanese tourists were gunned down at Hatshepsut's temple (it's in Luxor and over 60 were killed I think). Stuff happens and has for a long time.

We didn't do alot on our own - just walked along the river from hotel to Luxor temple one afternoon. When we got back I went out again to a couple shops I'd seen a block or two from the hotel. I don't know if kidnapping is a problem there.

(I even walked around an area of Johannesburg South Africa on my own - from the guest house where we were staying to a few shops and back. From the high walls and razor wire on them I think people don't think of SA as safe either, though we were told we were in a very safe neighborhood.)

I understand that most Nile cruises don't go north of Luxor because that stretch of the river is not considered to be safe or as safe.