Holiday to Cyprus - Egypt Cruise

frizz_head

Have booked a two week holiday to Cyprus and am interested in doing the two day cruise to Egypt whilst there. Can anyone confirm if this can be booked cheaper before leaving the UK, or if it is best to arrange through the tour operator once in Cyprus?

Many thanks
Frizz

saveapenny

Dont arrange it through your rep it will cost more . Do a google for it we went with Louis beware...very old ships and got a bad bug off the ship. Try Salamis <sp> I heard good things about them from a couple who had done the cruise a few times (different routes)

lottee

We prebooked ours, just so we could budget our money a bit easier. As above post, your rep may be more expensive, there are LOADS of travel agents / companies along the high streets, so you will probably get a better deal in one of them.
Have you considered the day trip? One of my friends did this recently & highly rated it.
Beware of the 'scammers' in Egypt, a 'local' grabbed my camera off of me, took a photo & then demanded £20 off of me before they gave me my camera !!! Apart from that WELL WORTH THE VISIT.

frizz_head

I have just received a quote from Regency Travel (online) for a two day cruise from Cyprus to Egypt sailing on Salamis Glory.

I am just bumping up this thread to see if anyone else has any recommendations or suggestions before we go ahead and book? We will be travelling with our DDs aged 10 and 7.

Many thanks
Frizz

tillymint

Did the day trip a couple of years ago. Whirlwind whistlestop tour, very very long day but absolutely brilliant, highly recommended.

sallysaver

Hi,
Whatever you do, avoid Louis, not only very old ships, but very dangerous also. As someone else has said, there are some very good offers available on the High Street, you will find lots to choose from. Be prepared for the heat. An extremely tiring trip, but very worthwhile. Watch your valuables or better still leave them in the hotel safe. Regards - sally

frizz_head

sallysaver wrote:

Hi,
Whatever you do, avoid Louis, not only very old ships, but very dangerous also. As someone else has said, there are some very good offers available on the High Street, you will find lots to choose from. Be prepared for the heat. An extremely tiring trip, but very worthwhile. Watch your valuables or better still leave them in the hotel safe. Regards - sally

Yep thanks sallysaver. I have avoided the companies using Louis ships, and thats why I went through Regency Travel. I am also waiting for a quote back from Salinias direct to see if it is any cheaper.

Thanks for all the replies.

spender

We did this last Summer when we stayed in Protaras. Wet myself when I saw our cabin as they described Louis ships as "luxury" but these ships are over 50 years old. Your cabin will be dire, with old army type blankets, but just go with the flow. Drinks etc are very expensive on board but your food is included. Take your own water or buy on the coach on arrival as they charge a RIDICULOUS AMOUNT if you buy on board before disembarking at Port Said. All the coach drivers will offer bottled sealed water and cans for about 50 cents each or a dollar for two. If you google their name of the boat you are on they give you all the previous history. Apparently Salamis are slightly better, you can book these in the resort at the local tour operators.

Beware if you think that you are going to have plenty of time. You have a 3 hour journey from Port Said to Cairo under police escort in a convoy. You arrive at the Pyramids and HAVE UNDER A HOUR, all the time you are hassled by sellers, this upset the children immensely. You then have 15 mins at the Sphynix. You then are taken for lunch on a river cruise on the Nile for about an hour and a half. You end up at the museum which is like rush hour but 1000 times more. You literally get caught up in the flow to see the sights. you pay extra for the mummies but they are worth it. You literally get a flying glimpse at the treasures and have about an hour and half there. You then have another 3 hour journey back to Port Said.

Was it worth it, yes because I saw the pyramids, but for about six hours in total this is not enough time. By the way they will take you to a paper making factory and encourage you to order jewellery before arriving there. They spend longer at these places than the pyramids etc.

Treat it as an experience don't expect luxury and take plenty of sun cream, it is very hot. Take plenty of dollars for your bartering, I am the proud owner of plastic pyramids, fake paper bookmarks, some natty shopping bags that I dread getting wet because of the dye, but hey it was a laugh and I am a sucker for kitsch. My eldest daughter rolled her eyes when she saw the set of three plastic pyramids!

By the way in Cyprus do the off road jeep safari to the Troodos mountains, the best days outing ever all the thrills of the funfair and more. However we were lucky as our jeep was not packed full.