Alexandria

[JP86]

Hello all,

Thinking about an Eastern Mediterranean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines this March.

One of the ports is Alexandria, Egypt which I would absolutely love to do. I would just like some more information about the tours of the pyramids/sphinx. I'm a person with a stomach condition and I don't like to be in the middle of nowhere without a bathroom for 8+ hours.

Can you tell me what the actual area is like? I know the tour is at least 8/9 hours long through the desert. Are there bathroom breaks? What about the 3 hr busride to and from Cairo? Last year we had a 2hr bus ride to the Mayan Ruins and our bus was a very good quality - comfy and equipped with a restroom.

Please answer if you can! We are going to go regardless, but it stresses me out less knowing this info.

[Keith1010]

Welecome to Cruise Critic.

I would post this question on the Africa and Middle East Ports of Call section on the Cruise Critic Board.

To make it easier for you, here is the link that will take you directly to that board.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

Keith

[John Bull]

I've got no idea where you get an 8-hour journey from

The coach trip from Alex to Cairo is normally not much more than a couple of hours, even with the usual chaotic Cairo traffic, though sometimes it can be worse.
Coaches are modern, comfy & air-conditioned. Most - possibly all- have a restroom, but its pot-luck (no pun intened ) how clean it will be.

The famous pyramids of Gisa, and the sphynx nearby, are on the outskirts of Cairo though you'd never know from the "picture postcard" photos of them. Cruise excursions to Cairo include the pyramids, the sphynx and a choice of other sites such as a mosque or museum, and lunch in a "westernised" modern venue such as a hotel or river cruiser. The journeys between sites in Cairo are generally less than 1/2 hr. Toilets in Cairo are pretty grubby, and its worth taking your own "supplies".

Luxor (the Valley of the Kings, etc) is a long way away on the upper Nile, and can't be visited on a day-trip from Alex/Cairo

John Bull

[Keith1010]

John, the OP did not say an eight hour Journey.

The OP did say that it is about a 3 hour ride from Alexandria to Cairo. This is correct. What the OP was concerned about was this ride plus the other tour travel time which is why 8 or 9 hours were mentioned.

The reality is that the tour will likely be something around 12+ hours and it will include a six hour R/T drive between Alexandria and Cairo.

The buses will have rest rooms and as soon as the bus gets to Cairo I am sure that there will be a restroom stop.

Again, lots of good information on the Middle East Board.

Keith

[John Bull]

Originally Posted by Keith1010

John, the OP did not say an eight hour Journey.

The OP did say that it is about a 3 hour ride from Alexandria to Cairo. This is correct. What the OP was concerned about was this ride plus the other tour travel time which is why 8 or 9 hours were mentioned.

The reality is that the tour will likely be something around 12+ hours and it will include a six hour R/T drive between Alexandria and Cairo.

The buses will have rest rooms and as soon as the bus gets to Cairo I am sure that there will be a restroom stop.

Again, lots of good information on the Middle East Board.

Keith

Hi Keith,

I wont split hairs with you on quite what the OP meant.. ........but I think we'd all have a problem if he meant 8+ hours between restrooms .

That's why I mentioned Luxor, some folk think it's not far past Cairo & possible on an excursion from Alex.

No specific rest stops, but facilities at all the sights.
I agree that its about a 12 hour day, but the important statistic for the OP is the one-way journey between Alex & Cairo - 3 hours in the brochures, but rarely that long. And not much desert either, mainly agricultural & reasonably populated

Regards,
John Bull.

[cruisin'tex]

Originally Posted by JP86

Hello all,

Thinking about an Eastern Mediterranean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines this March.

One of the ports is Alexandria, Egypt which I would absolutely love to do. I would just like some more information about the tours of the pyramids/sphinx. I'm a person with a stomach condition and I don't like to be in the middle of nowhere without a bathroom for 8+ hours.

Can you tell me what the actual area is like? I know the tour is at least 8/9 hours long through the desert. Are there bathroom breaks? What about the 3 hr busride to and from Cairo? Last year we had a 2hr bus ride to the Mayan Ruins and our bus was a very good quality - comfy and equipped with a restroom.

Please answer if you can! We are going to go regardless, but it stresses me out less knowing this info.

The ship excursions use large tour busses with restrooms...albeit small, but still a restroom.

[Crown Prince]

I thought this IS the "Africa and MIDDLE EAST" Board.

Where am I?

Am I lost?

[RoadTripFanatic]

Thank you so much for posting this! I was going to ask the same thing! Restrooms are a must for me when I travel via Bus anywhere!! It's that I don't have a bathroom what am I going to do panic attack that kills me. It's good to read that the busses do have bathroom facilities. I can handle small, dingy, etc but just knowing there are toilets makes my life easier.