Adventures by Disney: Egypt Inquiry

[MarionStuntDouble]

Did you get to pick your cabin location? I’ve heard the front is the worst. Was the ABD group the only guests on the boat? Thanks

No, I don't believe so. As I recall, we were assigned cabins. We must have gotten lucky because our rooms were in the back. No, ABD was not the only guests aboard. We made up the majority of the passengers, but there were others.

 

[MeDisney]

Does ABD Egypt go to the Grand Egyptian Museum? I read it was still closed?

Is it possible to take a carryon (22in) plus a personal item (backpack) on Egypt Air?
Do they weigh the carry on luggages and are they strict with the 7-8kg?
How strict was the security in the airport in regards to carry on items?
I read that batteries were not allowed? What other items are not permitted as carryon that is different from TSA from USA?

How much is the laundry at the Ritz and The Coral Sea Sensatori Resort? I read it was cheap at the cruise. But I was wondering about the other hotels. Does the Ritz or the Coral resort have a laundry facility or do we have to send it out?

Thank you!

 

[sayhello]

Does ABD Egypt go to the Grand Egyptian Museum? I read it was still closed?

Is it possible to take a carryon (22in) plus a personal item (backpack) on Egypt Air?
Do they weigh the carry on luggages and are they strict with the 7-8kg?
How strict was the security in the airport in regards to carry on items?
I read that batteries were not allowed? What other items are not permitted as carryon that is different from TSA from USA?

How much is the laundry at the Ritz and The Coral Sea Sensatori Resort? I read it was cheap at the cruise. But I was wondering about the other hotels. Does the Ritz or the Coral resort have a laundry facility or do we have to send it out?

Thank you!

The Grand Egyptian Museum is still closed; they are projected to open in "late 2023" but no actual date given. And it wouldn't be the first "projected" opening date they've had. If I'm remembering correctly, I *believe* that the ABD was slated to go to the Grand Museum when this latest version of the Egypt trip was introduced, but it appears the delays in the opening have caused them to remove it from the itinerary for now.

Sayhello

 

[pjacobi]

Some say that it has taken longer to build the Grand Egyptian Museum than the pyramids!


-Paul

 

[LLF]

When the trip is traveling by bus from place to place, does it have a bathroom on board?
Thanks!

 

[MarionStuntDouble]

When the trip is traveling by bus from place to place, does it have a bathroom on board?
Thanks!

Yes, there is a bathroom on board the bus.

 

[MarionStuntDouble]

The GEM is not open to the public yet. If it is still closed when you are looking at going you will go to the Cairo Museum instead. It is a fantastic museum that still houses some incredibly famous artifacts including (but not limited to) almost all of the items from King Tut's tomb.

I did not have any issues bringing both a small carry on and a backpack for Egypt Air. They never weighed my carry on as far as I can remember. I believe the permitted carry on items are about the same as the TSA allows. One person did bring protein powder in their carry on, and one airport made them throw it out. Be forewarned, all Egyptian airports have two security checks. One right before or right after where you check in your luggage, and one when you get to your gate, so I recommend packing somewhat light in your carry ons.

The Ritz did have laundry services I believe, I don't remember if the Coral Sea Sensatori Resort did or not. You can't do it yourself however, unless you wash clothes in the sink. The members of my party that wanted to have laundry done did it on the boat.

 

[first time 2023]

Wondering about the Visa for Egypt. The ABD site makes it seem like they take care of the Visa but another area said the cost isn't covered.

 

[abdgeek]

Wondering about the Visa for Egypt. The ABD site makes it seem like they take care of the Visa but another area said the cost isn't covered.

My trip isn’t until December, but when I asked ABD about the visa process for Egypt, they said they handle everything. You’ll be met once your plane lands and escorted to a lounge where you’ll wait while a representative gets your visa and your luggage. You’ll then be escorted to the hotel. Someone who has already been on the trip can confirm the process.

I guess you could pay to get your visa before your trip, but why would you. You’ve already paid ABD to do it. I’ve used companies before, when traveling to certain Caribbean islands, to fast track through customs and it’s always been worth the money I paid. If ABD is providing the service for Egypt, it must be a pretty involved process.

 

[aggiedog]

Involved, or it's just such a headache if someone ultimately doesn't have one. Easier to just do it all for the group.

 

[MeDisney]

Anyone have info on the current October trips and how it’s going considering the situation in Israel? The trip goes to Sharm and it’s a little too close for me to worry the entire trip.

 

[Raya]

Anyone have info on the current October trips and how it’s going considering the situation in Israel? The trip goes to Sharm and it’s a little too close for me to worry the entire trip.

I just came here to ask the same question! I'm assuming there's no way to change your trip to simply not go with the group to Sharm.

 

[sayhello]

I just came here to ask the same question! I'm assuming there's no way to change your trip to simply not go with the group to Sharm.

You could always arrange your own transportation to leave the trip before they head to Sharm el-Sheikh from Luxor (or make your own arrangements to stay in Luxor). You would just have to let ABD and the Adventure Guides know ahead of time. I'm virtually certain that you would get no refund for the days you choose to miss.

Anyone have info on the current October trips and how it’s going considering the situation in Israel? The trip goes to Sharm and it’s a little too close for me to worry the entire trip.

Sharm el-Sheikh is not that close to the Gaza strip (although I guess "close" is a relative term. It's over 230 miles away.)

Sayhello

 

[pjacobi]

If your trip includes a visit to Abu Simbel, it is located very close to Sudan boarder. It's another place of very nervous security.


-Paul

 

[sayhello]

If your trip includes a visit to Abu Simbel, it is located very close to Sudan boarder. It's another place of very nervous security.


-Paul

That's not changed since ABD started doing these tours, and is currently not impacted by what is going on in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Sayhello

 

[MeDisney]

That's not changed since ABD started doing these tours, and is currently not impacted by what is going on in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Sayhello

Maybe not be directly impacted but news just reported that…

Pentagon Orders 2,000 More U.S. Troops to Be Ready to Deploy to the Middle East​

This news suddenly hits different with regards to going to the region for a vacation.

 

[sayhello]

Maybe not be directly impacted but news just reported that…

Pentagon Orders 2,000 More U.S. Troops to Be Ready to Deploy to the Middle East​

This news suddenly hits different with regards to going to the region for a vacation.

Oh, I agree, things in the Middle East region overall are definitely more risky than two weeks ago. But the recent question & comment were about still going to Egypt, but skipping Sharm El-Sheik or staying away from Abu Simbel/Sudan "considering the situation in Israel". Neither of those areas are currently any more affected by what's going on in Israel than Cairo or Luxor or Aswan.

Sayhello

 

[mathgeek]

Did you get to pick your cabin location? I’ve heard the front is the worst. Was the ABD group the only guests on the boat? Thanks

I went July 2022. We did not get to pick cabin location, and we were not the only guests on board. But there weren't many people on board at all anyway (ours was a group of 6), and we got "upgraded" to suites.
We did end up next to other ships in port and had to walk through them. And I don't know if the ship engine was running at night. I didn't notice. We did do some travel overnight.

Wondering about the Visa for Egypt. The ABD site makes it seem like they take care of the Visa but another area said the cost isn't covered.

They did take care of the visa. However, the process for me was not as smooth as others. The handbook describes that you will be guided through the process, and I was just kind of handed off from one person to another then eventually had to find my way outside to my transport, which had been waiting for me while I was waiting for someone to take me out there. It was a very confusing and high anxiety process for me.

I just came here to ask the same question! I'm assuming there's no way to change your trip to simply not go with the group to Sharm.

To be honest, I would've been perfectly happy leaving the trip after Luxor. The 2 days in Sharm were a lot of effort to basically just go snorkeling in the Red Sea.

If your trip includes a visit to Abu Simbel, it is located very close to Sudan boarder. It's another place of very nervous security.


-Paul

We flew in and out same day and only saw Abu Simbel. We did not stay in that area overnight.

 

[MeDisney]

Latest embassy updates today are very concerning to this trip:

“…anti-U.S. sentiment, may occur in Cairo or elsewhere in Egypt”

https://eg.usembassy.gov/demonstration-alert-u-s-embassy-cairo-egypt/

 

[Mathmagicland]

All US embassies are issuing alerts -

au.usembassy.gov



Worldwide Caution – October 20, 2023​

Subject: Security Alert – Worldwide Caution, October 20, 2023

Event: Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. U.S. citizens should:

· Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.

· Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.

· Follow the Department of State on Facebookand Twitter and visit travel.state.gov