Hello all,

Just returned from the Splendours of Egypt on Sat 10/30. I'll post a tour tale when I can. In the meantime, I'll be glad to answer any questions.

Hello

We are scheduled to leave for Cairo on the 16th of this month. Since you have been there, how would you rate the overall experience? Have you posted any photos anywhere that you are willing the share? Many thanks.

Any comments on the boat? Which cruise ship were you on? dumb question, but how were the rooms and bathrooms? how big are the windows in the rooms and do they open? are there areas to sit outside on the deck?
Did you do Abu simbel? comments? any tips on money exhange, Cairo restaurants? Did you do the light show in Luxor (Karnak) or any other optionals and what did you think?
We are just ready to book this, very excited and any info you would share would be helpful!

From reading some of the posts there seems to be a lot of 'cruising' time on the boat. Is there too much? Are there organised activities on board?

We were in Egypt in 2006 and on the Giselle. It was about ten years old then and showing some signs of needing refurbishing, but from what has been posted recently I believe that has now been done.

The cabins were large and quite comfortably and for a river cruiser, the bathrooms were also quite roomy. I recall that the windows opened but we didn’t spend much time in our cabin.

There is plenty of room to sit on deck and a small, very small, pool.

Abu Simbel was worth every penny, a great day out, although you don’t have a lot of time at the temples. The only other option we took was the river cruise in Cairo which we were not impressed with. One other option I remember being offered was a visit to a Nubian village which we passed on.

We used ATM machines to get Egyptian currency, but didn’t really spend very much.

We certainly didn’t find the time spent cruising too much; there was always something to look at along the banks of the river. The only organized activities on board were some entertainment in the evenings.

Hi Neonlibrary, broolyn and Matt ‘n’ Joy

If you also have a look in Phil's excelent list of tour tales located at WHERE ARE ALL THE TALES? , which sits permanently second from the top of the Tour Tales section, you will find about 33 trip reports from previous travellers to Egypt detailing the experiences and views of their trip.

There are:

• 6 reports on Egyptian elegance
  
• 3 reports on Grand Tour of Egypt
  
• 3 reports on Grecian Delights
  
• 3 reports on Grecian Dreams
  
• 1 report on Grecian Fables
  
• 4 reports on Jewels of the Nile
  
• 10 reports on Splendours of Egypt and
  
• 3 reports on Wonders of Egypt

Amongst all of these trip reports you will find a wealth of information about touring Egypt with Insight.

Have a fantastic trip.

Neon, overall the experience was incredible. There is a fair amount of culture shock but that's part of the fun. I haven't had a chance to go thru photos yet.

Brooklyn, we were on the Miriam, recently refirbished. Overall the boat is in good shape but you can tell it's been around a while. The room was large, plenty of room to move around. IMO the bathroom was a little cramped. Also, the shower/tub has the Europeon style half door which i never understood. The windows were quite large in the room and they did open. The entire top deck is a sun deck with lots of chairs, chaise lounges and a small wading pool. We did Abu Simbel, highly recommended. I exchanged $$$ at the Marriot banks and used the ATM's, all were no problem. Light show at Karnak was very well done, the one at Giza was incredibly outdated and boring. However, it was cool to see the pyramids light up at night.

Matt, there is a little just cruising time but I didn't think it was too much. We spent that time watching the Nile life, really fscinating. The only organized activities on the boat was the Galabea party and the Nubian show. This is not like a Carnival cruise line.

Thanks for the info! I've been reading everyone's egypt reports and they are very helpful! we just booked! (for April)
Are you offered lights shows at both Karnak and Giza?

Giza light show was included with the splendours tour, Karnac was offered as an optional.

Buddyboy: where did you eat in Cairo? I have read that the restaurants in the Marriot are quite high. any recommendations for the area?