Hi Everyone

Can I just say a great big Thank You to Mezzermum, you have given me in one posting all the information that I have been trying to drag out of my tour operator for the last 6 months.
We can all sit down and plan what we want/can do, and plan everything in advance. Can I ask if the Petra -Rose City trip is 6 miles of straight walking or hills, valleys etc., as we are taking my mum who can manage the 6 miles but not if it's up and down hills.
Can I also ask, are the prices the same for children on the excursions, or are there discounts?
Also do you know the facilities on board for children, and were there many on your cruise.
Thanks again for the info, you really do not know how helpful it has been.

I second that - it;s just what we need to know in advance so we can make plans. Thank you mezzermum

We loved Petra, most people in our party found the walk OK (60's to 70's). Good underfoot all the way with very slight incline all the way down and you come back exactly the same way. You don't need a head for heights or particular agility. If you can do Sainsbury's on Saturday morning you're over qualified in terms of fitness. Best photos coming back, less busy and better light for dramatic shots. The camel ride was good, should be £5 from half way to the end, same in reverse, get agreement on price first. Coming half way back by camel was great, plenty of security guards and police in the gorge. Just pretend to be American and threaten to cruise missile them if you have any problems - always works. Seriously they have better English than they let on, and after you have agreed the price we chatted very nicely with them- Egyption Proverb (Old Testament) "make best friends with who is in charge of a camel".
Or horse drawn carriage £20 all way down & £20 all way back, still worth it if your 'into' Petra and don't wan't to miss the trip. £10 horse same arrangement and you can be led if your a little bit frightened of a full gallop (you should be, wait and see). The distance does sound a long way but the whole gorge is so dramatic it goes very quickly. Seems abetter place to ride a camel than at the pyramids.

ps
See also Amin Kawar & Sons web site http://www.kawar-tours.com they do the Thompson tours.
Ask them if the're anything to do with the 70's pop group Amen Corner?

Sorry I got some of the prices wrong.

Camel from half way to end £5
return as above £5

Horse from start to half way £10 possibly return

Carriage seats 2 + driver, start to half way £20 includes return

Or only walk to half way (the best bit) and see how you feel.

But one way or the other, if your interested at all you must go.!

Hi Cruisers
Thanks for the info, my mum has decided to come along with us now she knows she won't be stuck with no way of getting back without walking.
Can you tell me if the excursion prices are the same for Children and how many children were on the ship when you travelled.
Thanks
Lynne85

We go on Tues 7th March and really apppreciate all the guidance and hints here........thanks for taking time to help us out!!

Just one more question.....on the Thursday when docked in Sharm, is there any opportuntity to just transfer from the ship to the beach area without going on one of the orgainsed half day excursions?

I'm still looking into excursion offered by other tour operators at present as well. Memphis tours does a good price for a comparative tour to Cairo et all and because their trip is on a different day to when we are in port, they are offering us a private trip that works out the same cost as the Thompsons excursions and hopefully without the compulsory factory/jewellery stop on route!!
Peaceway tours appear to do a cheaper similar tour to Petra and I'm just off to check out the link to kawar-tours to see what they do.

Just got to work out the money side of things now......egyptian pounds for Sharm and Cairo, Jordan pounds for Petra, credit card/sterling for thompson tours and euros for other tour operators....phew......

looking forward to any other hints/tips/advice/reviews to help us as we are cruise newbies!!

Kay

Got back Thursday night. All I can say is it was possibly the best holiday ever, but then I tend to say that every year! I've posted a fairly lengthy review, hopefully covering most things not already mentioned but if anybody has any questions I'll try and answer them on here.

Taking my two kids (17 and 13) on AI cruise on March 9th. Need SOME kind of idea about budget as mine is tight! I know we need money for excursions and I have prices for these. (Does anybody know if I can pay those by credit or debit card on the ship or is cash better???)

Intend doing 3 excursions - Cairo/Petra/Luxor. reading so much info on site about tipping etc. I have no idea what kind of budget I am looking at for the 3 of us for a week. Any (and I mean ANY since we're first time cruisers and first time AIs as well) would be much appreciated. Assume will have the last day at Sharm to fill as well.

Can anyone give me an idea dn allay my worry?!
Ta!
Meg

Thanks Coopster for taking the time to post your review- it's much appreciated (and makes me feel guilty for all the times I've meant to post a review and never got round to it!! )

We mean to stay on board in Safaga as we've been to Luxor - is there any problem finding sunbeds on those days?

It wasnt too bad on the Wednesday as lots of people went to Luxor, however some of the back deck was roped off for a deck BBQ but there were still beds at 10. If you're not too bothered about being near the pool, there is a great sundeck up from the sports deck which never seemed too busy. A bit of a trek from the Lido but hell its less than a minutes walk!

I'm really glad I surfed upon this site last night. We're off on the cruise on March 9th and we're first time cruisers. We only booked on Saturday and it seemed like a good idea at the time but then I started to get a little panicky about being stuck on a boat. The information on the trips is much appreciated as the Travel Agent couldn't tell us much at all
I had looked at the option of doing the trips on our own, which is what we would normally do, but my main concern is that we get into a fix (coach breaks down or something) and we don't make it back to the boat in time!! So I think we'll stick with Thomsons this time.
Of the main trips which would any of you class as missable?? I really want to do Cairo, but fancy doing the Nile instead of the museum...having seen the Tut exhibition in London 30 years ago. I would also like to do Petra, so that leaves Luxor as a maybe...what do you think??
Also the night of the captains gala thang...what kind of dress is it for Gents...would the OH get away with dress trousers shirt and tie, or is a suit required? Your opinions would be gratefully received.

well we did the Nile cruise trip which was fantastic. wasnt too bothered about the museum.

Although i would have liked to have done Luxor, seeing as it was the day before we went home and the day after the fantastic talent night we decided not to bother. the people that went also said that Tuts tomb was almost impossible to get to as the new tomb is bang next door to it.

Captains night, although I wore a tux, there were plenty in a regular suit.

Hi Coopster
Glad to hear you had a great holiday, your's is the first posting from someone who has taken children.
We are travelling over Easter with My husband, 10 year old son, my mum and myself and are really looking forward to it.
Can you tell if the excursions were the same price for the children, and also roughly how many children were on your ship as my son is now wondering how many other children will be on holiday with us.
The night of the captains dinner, what was the dress code for the kids as my son refuses point blank to wear anything remotley like a tie..
Another thing is, my mum has been speaking to someone who has been to Egypt before and they made a comment about children begging, she is now thinking about what she can pack in her suitcase to give to them as she has been told that giving them money is not advisable...
She gone through the whole list, pens, sweets, tennis balls etc, she's driving me mad..
Please help, if she doesn't stop soon, I'll be packing her in the suitcase and she can travel in th hold.

Hi Lynne

Captains night - smart jeans and a "going out" shirt will do fine.

As regards how many kids, well we were on halfterm so there were plenty, not sure out of term but there's plenty of stuff to keep em busy. Make sure you take some 50p pieces for the arcade.

Prices for the excursions were roughly halfprice, the prices are for kids 2-12.

I'd recommend a couple of bags of sweets, but be prepared for it to be like feeding the pigeons in Trafalgar Square!

for the advice and an excellent review!!

just a couple of qusetions (for now!!)

Do you know what currency the casino takes and do they charge entry as well as the stakes? I've never been to one and I fancy a go if the minimum stake istnt too high!!

Did you notice many people board at Safaga? We are joining te ship from Safaga on Tues 7th March although I realise that most join from Sharm.

My partner is asking me to ask what the desserts are like!!!!!!!!!!

13 sleeps to go

Kay

No entry fee for the casino, I think we've paid enough for the trip as it is dont you?!
Minimum roulette stakes were 50p on a number so open to everyone. there was also one night in port where it was practice night. They have 2 blackjack tables and 2 5 card stud tables. Minimum bets on these were £2.

With regards to the puddings, well if i say sticky toffee pudding, lemon sponge, spotted dick need I say more?

When we were in Safaga, there were a few joined on the ship, I saw a fair few cases being loaded, about 50 ish I'd say. Looking back I wish we'd done this as you get a full day in Sharm.

By the way, you must make sure you watch the talent night, amazing!

Once again, anymore questions, ask away before the memory starts to fade!

thanks again coopster!!

thats why we decided to board at safaga, so we get the day in sharm - we are hoping to do the boat trip to Ras Mohamad.

well looking forward to it now!!

this may be a really silly question but do we need to take mossie repellent?? And was it very warm and sunny?

did you talk to anyone that did trips independently rather than through Thomsons? i'm tempted to book the Cairo trip through an agency called Memphis tours and do the Petra and Sharm via Thomsons.

what night is the talent night? is the 'formal night' on Sunday?

don't suppose I will be able to go topless on the ship will I??

on that point, do people cover up on the trips, eg Cairo? In that, I mean can ladies get away with shorts and t'shirts or do we have to be more modest? I've been to Egypt before, but only to Taba Heights which is quite different I think.

...still got 13 sleeps to go!!!!!

kay

No mossies encountered so I wouldnt bother if I were you.

To be honest I'd be very tempted to stick with Thomsons for all the trips, Port Sokhna is a huge port and we didnt see any life never mind taxis for miles!

The talent night is on your first night I think and yes the captains night is on the Sunday.

They dont recommend going topless but if you have to!!! then they say to use the sun deck at the top of the boat well away from everyone else!

With regards to the trips, please please please cover your shoulders and knees. Tshirt and 3/4 trousers will do. I saw so many women just showing a total lack of respect with what they were wearing. Chav came to mind!

One tip, they try and sell you a dvd of your cruise for £25, just watch it for free in your cabin!

Enjoy