How safe is Egypt?

[Ivy86]

Planning to book a cruise that stops in Alexandria and Port Said Egypt. Notice that the tours need to be escorted by police 🤔 gets me concerned. I need input from Anyone that has been there before . 

[Go Go Otto]

I've noticed a lot of cruise lines returning to these Egyptians ports, so that's a good sign. (Also La Goulette, Tunisia.) So that's a good sign.

 

It's unlikely there will be a perfect time in our lifetimes. So if you're not freaked out by just seeing armed security - which is all over - than go for it.

 

-Go Go!

[terry&mike]

That’s not new, when we visited Egypt in 2018 we also had police escorts on some of our tours. 
We did an early morning tour to Abu Simbel in a large convoy of tour vehicles, and when the guide told the police escorts we were Americans in this van, they moved our van to the front on the convoy and put a heavily armed police officer in the van with us for the ride. When we asked the guide about it later, he explained that Egypt relies on tourism dollars heavily, and they cannot risk an incident involving an American, and the bad press that would come with it. 
We felt safe the entire time we were there, and were well escorted and taken good care of. Matter of fact, many times we were expedited to front of lines by guides and guards when we arrived at airports, sites, etc. We would hear a quick conversation in Egyptian being spoken and only understand one word, ‘American’, and the seas would part. 

[cruisemom42]

As far back as my first visit to Egypt in 2005 they've had bus convoys with armed escorts, metal detectors at hotel doors, etc. It didn't deter me from doing a land tour a couple of years later and then two more cruise visits...

 

No one can promise you it will be safe. But if there are any significant safety threats, the cruise lines would probably not stop there -- just as they (all too often) have to divert from planned stops in Israel when things heat up.

[Kiwi Dreamer]

We have just returned (May) and had armed escorts on the coach as well as a police escort front and back of our coach which had to travel in convoy with others to our various destinations.  Do not be concerned.  We felt very safe.

[cwistyred]

We were there in April and did a land trip in Cairo pre cruise. We had a private guide and driver for three days and stayed in a hotel looking out over the Pyramids. 
We caught our cruise in Sokhna and then did a small group tour to Luxor. In neither case did we have any armed guards with us. 
Prior to the trip I confess I was a little nervous about safety.  Once we arrived in Egypt, I never even thought about it.  Always felt safe.  I was more concerned about having my pockets picked by over aggressive vendors in Luxor.

 

[9tee2Sea]

On 6/23/2023 at 3:25 PM, Ivy86 said:

Planning to book a cruise that stops in Alexandria and Port Said Egypt. Notice that the tours need to be escorted by police 🤔 gets me concerned. I need input from Anyone that has been there before . 

Did an Egypt stop in Feb of this year.  There was an "Undercover" passenger that sat near the driver ( he said he was a retired policeman).  Every hotel ( and some big stores) had entry security metal detectors that we talked thru ( Like TSA at airports).  I was sort of being harassed by the Bedouin's at the Pyramids, and the "Passenger" came right out and made them leave me alone.  Needless to say, I got back onto the bus right quick.  Be prepared for VERY AGRESSIVE souvenir peddlers.  If you agree on a price, and open your billfold to pay, they will try to reach in and grab whatever they can.  This is just my opinion.

[Suskies]

On 6/29/2023 at 11:59 PM, cwistyred said:

We were there in April and did a land trip in Cairo pre cruise. We had a private guide and driver for three days and stayed in a hotel looking out over the Pyramids. 
We caught our cruise in Sokhna and then did a small group tour to Luxor. In neither case did we have any armed guards with us. 
Prior to the trip I confess I was a little nervous about safety.  Once we arrived in Egypt, I never even thought about it.  Always felt safe.  I was more concerned about having my pockets picked by over aggressive vendors in Luxor.

 

What pre-cruise land trip did you do? 

[cwistyred]

14 hours ago, Suskies said:

What pre-cruise land trip did you do? 

We booked three days worth of private tours through Egypt Tours Portal. We chose what to see on what days. We booked the hotel through an online booking site. We then booked a car to drive us to Ein Sokhna to catch the MSC Splendida. Pretty easy to arrange on your own.

[Lindae456]

We were there in October and used Memphis tours. Very happy with them, yes lots of police presence, a lot of security check points. We never felt in danger. Our cruise also did safaga and we stayed at hotel off ship. Had a wonderful time and highly recommend ! 

[Middleager]

Egypt is much safer than US (so much gun violence everywhere).

 

We were in Egypt last Nov., for almost two weeks.  It was before we went to Haifa for cruise.  We arranged everything our own.  Stayed in hotels in Hurghada (did scuba diving/snorkeling, day trips..), Nile cruise, and in Cairo.  Hire our guide/driver.  In Aswan we also hired a small boat to take us to Nubian Village.  Yes the vendors can be very enthusiastic or even aggressive, but just be firm in no and walk away.

 

In Cairo the 3 days we were almost always with our Egyptologist guide.  One day we went to the Giza Pyramids (climbed inside), camel rides, Sphinx, Saqqara (Step pyramid, can go inside, and surrounding tombs), Dahshur (Bent pyramid, climbed inside; and Red pyramid, others), and Memphis.  Oh, we stayed at the Mena House Marriott (good point redemption value) which is right beside the Great Pyramid, makes it convenient.

[Murray&Vivian]

For port stops in Egypt does the cruise line take care of the Egypt Visa ?

[Lindae456]

Azamara arranged all our visas, they did collect all passports and had Egyptian employee on ship reviewing them before ports and then handed them back before we disembarked 

[ludocdoc]

On 7/1/2023 at 10:22 PM, cwistyred said:

We booked three days worth of private tours through Egypt Tours Portal. We chose what to see on what days. We booked the hotel through an online booking site. We then booked a car to drive us to Ein Sokhna to catch the MSC Splendida. Pretty easy to arrange on your own.

 

We've got a similar plan - embarking Ain Sokhna onto MSC Orchestra. They still arent selling a transfer, and who knows if they will. We plan on staying downtown Cairo the night before, visit the museum in the AM, and would like to get a private car to the ship. Vendors seem to want extra money - like $50 US - to gather documents and clear entry into the port with the police. Otherwise, they leave us at the port entrance. Sounds scammy. THe hotel wants $175 which seems high. Who did you use, and if you recall, the price?

[cwistyred]

7 hours ago, ludocdoc said:

 

We've got a similar plan - embarking Ain Sokhna onto MSC Orchestra. They still arent selling a transfer, and who knows if they will. We plan on staying downtown Cairo the night before, visit the museum in the AM, and would like to get a private car to the ship. Vendors seem to want extra money - like $50 US - to gather documents and clear entry into the port with the police. Otherwise, they leave us at the port entrance. Sounds scammy. THe hotel wants $175 which seems high. Who did you use, and if you recall, the price?

Ahhhhh here is where the story went bad.  I will tell you - MSC will tell you that they do not have transfers from the airport to Sokhna -they do.  Force the issue and take their transfer. Sokhna port is very difficult to get to. I booked a hotel in Sokhna for the night before the cruise. MSC said there were no transfers and I wanted to get to the port early. Got to the hotel, which is 15 minutes from the port, during check in I said I needed a car to take us to the port in the morning.  This started the misery. I was told point blank that the cars and taxis in that area cannot take passengers to the port. Special license needed. No one has one.  Cannot drop you at the port entrance, industrial port.  The hotel then spent over 6 hours trying to get anyone to take us to the port. Finally they got a hold of someone from MSC Egypt the next morning and they sent some guy who worked at the port to pick us up. I spoke to MSC USA and they basically said “ I should have booked a transfer”. I was told there were NONE. Told me they could not help me and this was my problem, Rough night thinking we would miss the ship and our shore excursion to Luxor. Moral of story - book the transfer!!!  The $175 from Cairo with delivery to the ship sounds about right. But be sure it is directly to the ship - I do not think most hotels in Cairo know the rules.

The shore excursion in Luxor and the 3 days in Cairo were wonderful. The hotel in Sokhna was sooooo beautiful (although we did not get to enjoy it). The staff of that hotel were the best. Saved that part of the trip. Great people.

[ldock]

We were in Egypt for a month in October, did Everything DIY, never felt unsafe.  When we saw police they were just making sure we were ok. But we never felt it was needed as we felt safe.  You will just get harassed to buy stuff, I learned a siimple response of “HAVE A GOOD DAY” from a local guide, which for most part actually works, and they stop.  
 

Alexandria- we spent 3 nights, and Loved it!  Food there was the best we had in all of EGYPT, find a desert shop and make sure you get a mango smoothie.  

[ldock]

Oh… and for those talking about transfers etc… UBER!!! is the way to go In Cairo, or cairo to port.  It made traveling Soo simple, cheap, and removed the scam attempts.  

[ludocdoc]

On 7/21/2023 at 10:47 PM, cwistyred said:

Ahhhhh here is where the story went bad.  I will tell you - MSC will tell you that they do not have transfers from the airport to Sokhna -they do.  Force the issue and take their transfer. Sokhna port is very difficult to get to. I booked a hotel in Sokhna for the night before the cruise. MSC said there were no transfers and I wanted to get to the port early. Got to the hotel, which is 15 minutes from the port, during check in I said I needed a car to take us to the port in the morning.  This started the misery. I was told point blank that the cars and taxis in that area cannot take passengers to the port. Special license needed. No one has one.  Cannot drop you at the port entrance, industrial port.  The hotel then spent over 6 hours trying to get anyone to take us to the port. Finally they got a hold of someone from MSC Egypt the next morning and they sent some guy who worked at the port to pick us up. I spoke to MSC USA and they basically said “ I should have booked a transfer”. I was told there were NONE. Told me they could not help me and this was my problem, Rough night thinking we would miss the ship and our shore excursion to Luxor. Moral of story - book the transfer!!!  The $175 from Cairo with delivery to the ship sounds about right. But be sure it is directly to the ship - I do not think most hotels in Cairo know the rules.

The shore excursion in Luxor and the 3 days in Cairo were wonderful. The hotel in Sokhna was sooooo beautiful (although we did not get to enjoy it). The staff of that hotel were the best. Saved that part of the trip. Great people.

Thanks a ton! Sounds like you didnt get to use their transfer. Did others on the ship say they did use it and how they got it booked? MSC customer service is... mmm....

[cwistyred]

On 7/30/2023 at 8:01 AM, ludocdoc said:

Thanks a ton! Sounds like you didnt get to use their transfer. Did others on the ship say they did use it and how they got it booked? MSC customer service is... mmm....

Yes, people on the cruise did use MSC transfers from Cairo Airport to the ship. This was never offered to me despite the numerous calls I made to MSC customer service.  Most of the people who used the transfer booked their trip through a Travel Agent, which I learned the hard way is the only way to travel on MSC.

[ludocdoc]

I actually got MSC to pick up the phone. They admit there are transfers, but ONLY from the airport in Cairo. Since we're staying overnight in Cairo, she couldnt offer a transfer from Cairo - I guess we could back track to the airport but who does that? You have to imagine lots of people will do a few nights before or after the cruise (or both). Anyway, she also wouldnt let me book the transfer - only my travel agent can book it. 

I also read that Egypt is improving access to the port. Who knows. I think you're the only one who has posted an actual experience, which is a surprise. I'm roaming some facebook groups for MSC to see if I can find any other experiences too. 

[cwistyred]

1 hour ago, ludocdoc said:

I actually got MSC to pick up the phone. They admit there are transfers, but ONLY from the airport in Cairo. Since we're staying overnight in Cairo, she couldnt offer a transfer from Cairo - I guess we could back track to the airport but who does that? You have to imagine lots of people will do a few nights before or after the cruise (or both). Anyway, she also wouldnt let me book the transfer - only my travel agent can book it. 

I also read that Egypt is improving access to the port. Who knows. I think you're the only one who has posted an actual experience, which is a surprise. I'm roaming some facebook groups for MSC to see if I can find any other experiences too. 

We would have been happy to go back to the airport to save us the grief and aggravation of thinking we were not going to get to the ship. Never offered to us. I thought I was being clever going a day early to the resort in Sokhna. Maybe that is why you are not seeing any other stories like mine as we deviated from the norm of going directly from Cairo to the ship.  Also on our voyage although guests did get on in Sokhna, I would say the majority got on in Jeddah or Safaga, so not as many experiences to be shared. I hope for everyone’s sake that access to that port is improved - a lot!

[JRG]

On 6/23/2023 at 3:25 PM, Ivy86 said:

Planning to book a cruise that stops in Alexandria and Port Said Egypt. Notice that the tours need to be escorted by police 🤔 gets me concerned. I need input from Anyone that has been there before . 

 

Thank you for starting this ever important thread.   It is the big ticket item for me because I have been studying the Pyramids for a long time.

 

The level of traveling safely is the impediment, still for me,  and I wish that wasn't the case and the comments in the thread helps keep our fingers on the pulse,  to some degree.

 

For students of the pyramids 'how did they build them" game,  the recent discovery of how shifiting Nile tributaries were concievable used as the transit conduit for the big stones quarried from the lower seems to have been answered and that kind of stuff intrigues me.  

 

If I were King for a Day....

[scanr]

Arriving Port Said & then Alexandria on NCL.  Do they allow independent overnight tour to Cairo from PS and arrive back next day in Alexandria?

Thank you for any information.