Petra

[SS Warringtonia]

We were so looking forward to the Valley of the Kings excursion later this month on the final sector of QM2's world cruise when we recently discovered for safety reasons that it was cancelled.

So Aqaba has been substituted and a choice of three excursions. The most appealing being to Petra.

A 10 hour excursion- 2 hr drive each way, say an hour for lunch, giving you about five hours at the site- cost $207 about £124 - anybody have thoughts on this- it seems a bit pricey, but never having been before I'm open to the experienced Cunarders comments.

[cunardaddict]

We were so looking forward to the Valley of the Kings excursion later this month on the final sector of QM2's world cruise when we recently discovered for safety reasons that it was cancelled.

So Aqaba has been substituted and a choice of three excursions. The most appealing being to Petra.

A 10 hour excursion- 2 hr drive each way, say an hour for lunch, giving you about five hours at the site- cost $207 about £124 - anybody have thoughts on this- it seems a bit pricey, but never having been before I'm open to the experienced Cunarders comments.

 

Worth any penny. No one knows how long this place will be accessible.

[busmech]

It is worth it, when you walk down the valley and see the Treasury the first time any thoughts about money will be gone. Enjoy

[balf]

Went there a few years ago from Eilat.

 

As the situation is in Egypt now I would choose Petra any day.

 

The walk through the Souk and the entrance to the city is spectacular.

 

Wish I was doing it again.

 

David.

[safarigal]

I agree - it is a bit expensive, but worth seeing it. I would certainly do it!

[fantasy51]

I went to Petra last year. Unfortunately I left it a week too late to try to book a cruise for this April and it was sold out. However, my thought had been to definitely see Petra again. I rarely spend money on ship's excursions, preferring to look after myself. However, Petra was well worth it all! I hope to return one day.

[buchhalm]

the price is more expensive than what you would find locally, BUT it is stil worth every penny / cent because you will not have the hassle to negotiate with the locals, be ensured a clean and hopefully comfortable ride and above all will have the guarantee to make it back to the ship however long the "2 hour drive" thru the desert really takes.

 

Do take drinking water with you as well as some wet wipes and/or tissue paper. A hat would be good and a fist full of small change or small bills for a few tips along the way and to buy some small souvenirs.

(The vendors at Petra never have change for larger USD / Euro notes -or so they say - and you may end up with a wad of local currency)

[2irisheyes]

SS W - We have booked the Petra trip (two departure times 8.30 and 9.30 and the later one is already waitlisted). Looked at private/shared tours and the Cunard price seemed fair. Some other tours did not include lunch. The entrance to the site itself is quite a few dollars. We couldn't stop in Jordan and not visit Petra. Our letter from Cunard said they will deal with visa for Jordan and charge us but from what I have read, if a visa is required, it will be free because of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone status - trying to increase tourism and trade. Perhaps someone who has visited Petra from Aqaba could clarify this.

[fantasy51]

We were warned by someone on board ship that it is wise to take a coat as it can get cold in Petra and on the journey back. As it turns out, we had a lovely day and cursed the warm jacket we were carrying around. However, it was good advice.

 

It's a long day. You are up early and you don't get lunch until late. (You drive to Petra, spend a few hours there, then have lunch and then drive home.) I was glad I'd taken a couple of small rolls from the breakfast buffet. I was also very glad of the water bottles I took along. (I have a couple of plastic bottles with wide mouths. I fill them with ice from the buffet and then top up with water. This means that I have cold water to drink for most of the day.)

[2irisheyes]

fantasy51. Thanks for your tips. I had read that it can turn cold and/or windy at Petra. I had figured that lunch would be late and intend to order room service breakfast with a few extra bits to take. Do you by any chance remember what happened re visa. It will be a long day but not quite as long as Valley of the Kings would have been. The part I don't relish is the 4-5 mile walk in the heat.

[balf]

fantasy51. Thanks for your tips. I had read that it can turn cold and/or windy at Petra. I had figured that lunch would be late and intend to order room service breakfast with a few extra bits to take. Do you by any chance remember what happened re visa. It will be a long day but not quite as long as Valley of the Kings would have been. The part I don't relish is the 4-5 mile walk in the heat.

 

I don't remember a 5 mile walk. There is a bit of walking if you want to see everything, but the walk through the Souk is not too far and well shaded most of the way.

 

We travelled over the border from Israel though and the tours could have changed.

 

David.

[fantasy51]

Hi 2irisheyes. I can't remember a thing about the visa. I didn't have to get one in advance. I don't remember being told anything about it. We were just taken off the ship and escorted everywhere. (I was travelling on a British passport.)

 

Remember that most of that walk will be inside the shaded siq, so no sun. You go very slowly on the (gentle) downhill walk in, stopping at every little shrine and carved section along the way. Once into the main open part, you are mainly free. We were given a choice of continuing with the guide for another 20-minute walk (plus 20 minutes back) or exploring by ourselves. You then walk back to the hotel at your own pace. It is slightly uphill the whole way but you can stop whenever you wish.

 

You can hire (ill-treated) horses and camels to take you back or you can walk. The last part, out of the siq and in the sun, seemed interminable to me. I have low blood pressure and started feeling faint. I stopped on a rock, ate a packet of salt and drank some water, and felt well enough to continue for the last 5 minutes. (I always carry packets of salt from the buffet, for just such occasions.

[sand dollar26]

Several years ago I spent three weeks in Israel. We dipped into Jordan and stayed overnight in a hotel at the foot of Petra. I chose to walk, passing alongside the huge boulders that hide the Treasury and the rest of the ancient city from view. I would not hesitate to return to that site. If you have the opportunity to go, don't miss it. It is a wonderful experience, something I will always remember.

[SS Warringtonia]

Thank you to each and every one of you who has taken the time and trouble to reply and pass on your knowledge, it is highly valued.

I booked the excursion this morning after reading somewhere else that people were disappointed as the trip quickly booked up and it was an 'unmissable sight'.

 

2irisheyes, your letter from Cunard- is this the one that was mentioned in the 'Cancelled Egypt' thread, ie a physical letter or is it an electronic one, I've still yet to hear, all I know is what I've read here, a credit card refund for the cancelled excursion and Safaga removed and replaced on the VP?

[2irisheyes]

fantasy51 - thanks for your info. It is helpful to know a little more detail.

 

SS W - the Cunard letter was sent as an attachment to an email from our TA. It came after we had booked the Petra trip. If you want to see it I will try to cut and paste it later when I have a bit more time. Coincidentally I had phoned both Cunard and our TA a day or so earlier. Not sure if that made them pull their fingers out. Glad you have the trip booked. It would be so disappointing if it were sold out.

[cruiseluvva]

Having been to Aqaba before, when we booked Petra, this time we decided against the tour and have decided to spend a long weekend there, when we'll be able to view at our leisure without the masses.

 

So we're going to the beach.

[2irisheyes]

SS W - here are the relevant paras from the Cunard letter.

 

As you may be aware, Egypt has been experiencing a period of civil unrest leading to travel in the region being impacted. We have been following the situation closely and had hoped to be able to maintain our call to Safaga on Sunday 27 April. Regrettably recent events and advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our own security department has led us to decide that this will no longer be possible.

 

Instead QM2 will now call in to the port of Aqaba in Jordan. A full shore excursion programme for Aqaba will be available to book on board, a highlight of which will include the opportunity to visit the lost city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, famously described as the Rose-Red City half as old as time. If you have pre-booked any shore excursions for Safaga, these will be cancelled and automatically refunded to you.

 

In accordance with immigration requirements, visas for Jordan are compulsory for all passengers and will be issued upon the ship's arrival by the local Port Authorities, whether you are staying on board or going ashore. The charge will be approximately US$30.00 per person per visa and will be charged to your on board account.

 

The final para lists the itinerary which has only changed with the replacement of Aqaba for Safaga.

[SS Warringtonia]

2irisheyes

thanks for the information, certainly a lot more than I have received- may be a letter will arrive by post as mentioned much earlier in the Egypt Cancelled thread- fingers crossed- don't know why though, I'm probably fully informed from the CC forum!

[TrickyTrees]

Is it worth hiring a car and driving to Petra?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Oahucruiser]

Is it worth hiring a car and driving to Petra?

 

It might be cheaper but, if you arrive back late and you are not on a ship's tour, they could depart without you.

[canny_cruiser]

The Valley of the Kings, Luxor & Karnak temples, Abu Simbel, Nefertari's tomb (sadly now closed to the general public again, I believe) are sights to behold and a shame you will miss them. However, Petra was the place which took my breath away. I don't think you will be disappointed.