I have an executive representing the Oberoi Zahara the best boat on the Nile. He is proposing some wonderful unique additions to our trip including a private lounge on arrival at Cairo so we dont have to "stand in lines" and all will be taken care of for us. Not even collecting our own bags.

PLUS a visit to private home in Cairo

I am getting quite excited.

Wait until you see the pictures of this boat.

Oberoi Zahara website

(check the virtual tours!)

Wow that sounds great. While on CAMEL we just fell in love with Egypt. A Nile cruise with wonderful unique additions sounds great. Will this be sometime in 2010? Sign us up, Ngaire you are the best, can't wait. Yea another LCT cruise to look forward to.

Ngaire, I received an email from K&D the other day about the Oberoi Zahara...I was highly intrigued. The boat looks just incredible, and the rates didn't look that bad - but I could not tell what all was included in the fare. I think I saw that excursions were included, as well as pre- or post-stay...but are meals, tips, and drinks included? The fare looked too good to be true. But this is something my husband would be over the MOON for, and I am not far behind him!

Ngaire: As long as this doesn't take place during May, Michael and I would definitely be interested (from one who has yet to take this year's cruise). It looks fantastic. Lee

As long as this is 2010, Sign up Doug and me. Sounds great!

Think Ray and I are on a list for this Nile cruise for 2010.We loved Egypt and have always wanted to do the Nile as well as maybe Petra.
This sounds wonderful

Update.

Spend the evening with an executive from Cairo and the President and VP of Ker & Downey. We bribed them all with wine and good food and the man from Cairo came up with some wonderful ideas for a Nile trip. He is going to go back now and come up with a plan for our trip and then I can let everyone know what he proposes.

The only thing is that this wont be cheap, but it will be 100% special and first class with things that would not normally be available to tourists. He is even talking about taking us to his own home in Cairo.

So as soon as I have details I will be back with facts and figures. This would be late February to early March 2010 with a 7 day cruise on the Nile. He said they hit the sites when most of the tourists are gone and spend more time cruising during the day when you get to enjoy the boat and the scenery and avoid the big crowds. Sounds good to me. The ship looks absolutely sensational. No buffets everything is by menu with lots of choices. I asked for a menu!!

I have asked for a post trip to Petra for those that want it. We may have a couple of options as extensions to the basic Cairo and Nile cruise option. I have asked them to include Abu Simbel because to go to Egypt and not see that is really a sin.

Nothing but the best for our "Princess"....we'll await details and pictures.!!! We had fun dinner a few nights ago with Carol and Ralph and I know they're sooooooo excited for this Nile trip!

Yes, Carol and I are really excited already about this possibility. I know it is way to early but can not help myself and suggest a name.

NILE Ngaire's incredible luxurious Egypt

After my fun above on a more serious note and recalling that using names is not the best. I suggest replacing Ngaire with either of the following: Nirvana, Noble or Notable. Tonight I have a preference for Notable. Therefore
NILE = Notable Incredible, Luxurious Egypt.

Sounds like a great trip--pending details, we're in!

Add us to the list of interested parties, please! I have always wanted to visit Egypt!

Andrea & Leonard

Ngaire,

Russ says that we are very interested.

Susan

Alan and I are VERY interested. Please add us to the interested list.

Ngaire, add me to the interested list as well. We drove by a lot of those ships when we were on CAMEL on our way to Luxor.

Ralph - If Suzanne/Suzette and Mark come on this cruise, maybe it should be Notoriously Indulgent Luxurious Nile.

Fred, I like that idea a lot. The name game should be fun for NILE. You and Pat need to start the savings fund so you can join the group. Should be a trip of a life time. Only a couple of weeks until ROAR 2. If I remember correctly we will see each other in CPT for the wine tour and dinner at the Bahia. Hard to wait 20 days before we get on the big bird.

Add Pat & me to the list. We always try to get away that time of year when we're so packed with snowbirds that it's almost impossible to get a restaurant reservation.
Jim

Pending details we are keenly interested too. By the end of our first day in Luxor on the CAMEL cruise we knew we wanted to return. Pat

Well I do believe we will need to charter the whole ship. Sounds wonderful.

Any news?

Would it be possible to do the Nile, Cairo (pyramids, etc), and Petra in two weeks? I would love to add a week in Israel, too.

Getting close Marc.

We have been going back and forth many times working on the inclusions and itinerary. I am waiting now for a bid for the Triton and the Oberoi boat as we have almost finalized the base itinerary and inclusions. Then I need the itinerary and pricing for the extension to Petra and a few other things. Then I will email the itinerary and pricing to all interested.

Probably be in the next two weeks or so.

Three nights in Cairo - seven night cruise. Base group 10 nights. With a Petra extension it can be done in 2 weeks.

This will be handled differently from how I have handled Africa. I am NOT an expert on Egypt. In Africa I am comfortable in the tour leader role. I have wonderful relationships with the hotel and camp owners and managers. However, in Egypt with a foreign language and different customs it would make no sense for me to try to handle this personally. We will have a private English speaking Egyptologist/tour leader/guide with us from start to finish. I will really be a member of the group like everyone else but can of course be a spokesperson for the group.

Any individual extensions or really any questions or changes will be handled directly with Ker & Downey by Kim Cooper who has far more experience than I do with Egypt.

Stay tuned I am getting close.

Sounds pretty good so far :)

YES indeed. Thanks, Ngaire!

Thanks, Ngaire. Looking forward to more information.

News on Egypt

Two different choices – this is not all the details but we need to decide which direction to take and this should be enough for us to make that choice. I need to know how many are really still seriously interested in doing this in 2010. Both offer some neat things in Cairo, the VIP arrival that sounds great, the dinner in a private home one night and the dinner on a yacht in Cairo. Really unique additions to make things special.

We can add a Petra extension for $2195 per person for five nights to either itinerary.

Option One: Triton 4 night cruise – 8 night itinerary

$7,785.00 per person twin sharing

The available dates on board Triton are:
• 02/25/2010 – 03/01/2010
• 03/25/2010 – 03/29/2010
Tour would start three days prior to the Triton embarkation.

NOTE:
All tips and local wines and spirits included on the cruise
Bathtubs in the cabins on the Triton. A nice ship Anne and Gary, Betty and Al went on this ship. I have toured the ship and it is very nice. 42 people. My report below.

http://www.bkafrica.com/E_Triton_Cruise_Ship.htm

Rate Includes:-
• Egypt Entry Visa
• 03 Nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence – Superior Rooms, based on bed and breakfast basis.
• 04 Nights on board the Triton Nile Cruise, based on full board basis including all shore excursions as per the cruise’s itinerary (Based on individual booking subject to availability).
• Cruise includes the following:
• Sightseeing, Open Bar (Excluding Champaign & imported Wine), soft drinks, Water & Laundry and tips.
• 01 Night at the Fairmont Heliopolis Hotel – Standard Rooms, based on bed and breakfast basis.
• Domestic airfare (CAI / ASW – LXR / CAI or V.V.) on coach class liable to change without prior notice as this is quoted on the current applicable rates.
• All above tours on Private basis.
• Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing.
• All above mentioned meals.
• All transfers through the entire trip on Private basis.
• Services of a Private English Speaking Egyptologist / Guide throughout the entire trip (Cairo / Cairo).
• One small bottle of Mineral water per person / Per Tour & Transfer.
• Service Charge and Taxes.
• Tips for ground Personal including the Egyptologist.
• Porterage at airports & hotels.
• VIP Check in services at Cairo International Airport upon arrival.
• Private Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids Area Exclusive for the group ONLY.
• Private Dinner at Egyptian Home.
• Private Dinner in Cairo on board Yachts.
• Providing Chilled Water Bottles during sightseeing with a carrying case with Embossed names.

Above Rate Excludes:-
• International flights.
• Abu Simbel Excursion by Air.
• Any Meals not mentioned above.
• Any beverages during meals in hotels
• Any items of personal items such as phone calls, Laundry,…etc.
• Any items not mentioned above


Option Two: Oberoi Zahra 7 night cruise 11 night itinerary

Per person, sharing $9,649.00
The booked and held dates on board Zahra are:
• 03/02/2010 – 03/09/2010
• Tour would commence on arrival in
Cairo on 2/27/2010


NOTE:
All tips included but NO beverages included on the cruise
No bathtubs in the cabins on the Oberoi but best ship for food etc.
Ship holds 50 people.

I have not toured or seen the Zahra BUT anything Oberoi is absolutely first class. I have stayed in their hotels and they are incredible.

Oberoi Zahara website


Tour includes:
• Meet and greet and private ground transportation throughout entire tour
• Accommodations as per itinerary
• Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• VIP Services; private lounge on arrival with special Customs, Visa and Baggage Fast Track
• Services of a Private English Speaking Egyptologist / Guide throughout the entire trip (Cairo / Cairo).
• Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence - three nights - Superior Rooms, including breakfast
• Private Light & Sound Show at the Pyramids Area – exclusive for group
• Private dinner at an Egyptian home
• Private dinner in Cairo aboard yachts
• Tours in Cairo on private basis with lunch
• Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing
• Domestic Flights (Cairo/Aswan and Luxor/Cairo) Coach Classliable to change without prior notice as this is quoted on the current applicable rates.

• Oberoi Zahra – 8 day/7 night Nile cruise – based on full board, including all shore excursions as per the cruise itinerary
• One small bottle of Mineral water per person - per tour & transfer
• Service charges, taxes and all tips for cruise and land programs.
• Porterage at airports & hotels
• Pre-departure reading list and country information
• Ker & Downey travel duffel for light aircraft flights, document wallet and bag tags

Tour does not include:
• International airfare – quote available on request
• All items of a personal nature (i.e. telephone calls, internet, beverages, laundry etc.) unless specifically listed above
• Abu Simbel excursion by air
• Meals not mentioned above, or beverages during meals
• Passport fees or personal travel insurance
• Airport departure taxes and excess baggage fees
• Anything not specifically listed in the “Tour includes” section


So comments please. After we have posted about this those who are seriously interested please send me an email with your preference. I will get additional details, full itinerary terms and conditions, cancellation policies etc for the option that is selected.

We are SO interested! More so in the shorter river cruise, but either one will see us there, assuming family members are in good health.

Carol and I would prefer the longer Nile cruise. Will book for sure no matter which choice is made. This is something Carol has always wanted to do and this is a once in a life time opportunity in my view.

I need to speak with Leonard and do some more convincing, but at first glance we'd be more interested in the 8-night itinerary from 03/25/2010 – 03/29/2010 and possibly adding the Petra extension.

Both options look spectacular; but Option Two may be a bit too spendy for us right now.

Andrea

Jim and I are interested in the longer cruise. Any other options besides Petra which we have already done? Pam

The main group will want Petra so this would be the primary extension.

K&D can pretty much whatever you want on a private basis. When it is closer you can visit with Kim and see what other options she may have for you.

I think we would be intrested in the Triton cruise. We would not do the Petra extension we did Petra on Camel. Do these ships have internet connections in the room, do they charge for internet? Looking forward to seeing what cruise gets the most votes and the rest of the information on the winner.

We are interested in both including extension. What does longer cruise include other does not, meaning what do you see during your extra days or are you paying for "river" days?

Andi not gone into the full detail of all that yet. We just need to get an idea of (a) how many are really interested (b) is there an overwhelming favorite - Oberoi or Triton.

You will see more on a 7 day trip. It goes much further down the Nile to areas that the Triton does not go as the Triton is based on a 4 day and then 3 day program.

You can see the full 7 day itinerary on the Oberoi site and the K&D website.

We did the four day itineray on the sister ship to the Triton, Salacia. I like the Triton much more but it was chartered when we went.

I heard from Luke and he pulled up the Triton itinerary from a web site and since he found it I will let him post the links he researched.

Triton has internet - when I was there one computer had been put in and this was a charge but it was minimal. I highly doubt it is in the cabins but do not know for sure.

I wont have all the answers on these questions and will have to defer to K&D. Once everyone has their questions posted I will get all the answers at one time from K&D and post the response. One thing I do believe is that the Triton and Oberoi Zahra are the two best ships on the Nile. Below is K&D web page on Egypt cruises.

http://www.kerdowney.com/ui/dynamicpage.php?id=MjM=

Thanks to Luke who found the Triton itinerary on this link.
http://www.capecairo.com/Egypt/Itineraries/Tritonitin.html

Some thoughts from Carol and Me. This is a trip that one will only probably do once. That is in contrast to a safari that one can and should do more than once. Given it is a one time deal, spending more time makes sense to Carol and me. The additionl three days does add to the overall cost. But, in my view not that much given what the total cost of the trip will be. For an addional three days, at the premier ship on the Nile that is very new, it is $1,864 per person or $621 per day. Expensive, yes but not out of line in my view. As Ngaire pointed out there is an Oberoi Zahara web site. It has excellent pictures of the ship and has the itnerary for the days layed out. If the sites are unfamiliar, what I have done is just google the name and some excellent information is available.

While I am at it one question- Will we pay in US dollars? I note that the Oberor Zahara quotes in EUROS. Depending on view point one is protected from currency changes or you can not take advantage of currency changes in favor of US dollar.

We won't know whether this is in our budget until we finish planning/pricing our Sept/Oct 2009 trip to Australia. However, we would opt for the Triton and use the cost difference to tour Petra. Triton hits the highlights and that would suffice for us. Our focus would be on the Nile rather than the amenities/spa on the Oberoi.

The Oberoi brings up the spa in their itinerary again and again. They must be very proud of their spa. I am NOT a spa person but sailing the Nile is fascinating. So you dont need to do the SPA just sit on the deck and watch the scenery. Farmers are on the side of the Nile waving it is all really fantastic. We had one day like that on the Nile in our four day trip and absolutely loved it.

Euro vs $$ like making a choice of numbers in Vegas. This and all the terms and conditions will be dictated by K&D.

I did request that we have the same special offer I have for safaris. That is someone books and then cancels as long as I can sell their space the cancelling person receives a full refund.

Once the "vote" is in then the next step will be a full itinerary coupled with all the terms and conditions from K&D and all questions raised will be answered.

This is an expensive trip but a place you really do need to go first class.

Answering a couple of questions (information accurate as of March 2007)

1. Triton internet - it was one kiosk in a small room off the third floor public area. It was slow and didn't work well. Have they upgraded? I hope so.

2. You DEFINITELY want to go first class on this trip. Why? Density on the boats, as well as cabin size and available room in the public areas. River cruises with cramped public areas are sub-optimal. Those of you on CAMEL's Luxor overnight trip may have seen the string of river boats moored side by side. The volume of folks on some of those river boats was astounding. If we got behind a group on a river boat closer to the pier, we could be waiting a LONG time to get off our boat and onto the pier.

3. I vote for the Oberoi, because it includes time to tour Aswan (the ship's itinerary has two nights accommodation onboard in this city). Aswan was a highlight of our prior trip. The extra temples further down the Nile from Luxor in the Oberoi itinerary are a mild plus in my opinion. That said, I will dearly miss seeing the guys on Triton again!!

4. Extension ideas? In Egypt, the resorts near Salalah (the Oberoi has a beautiful property there) or Sharm el Sheik; side trip to Dubai if you haven't been there; Holy Land tour; side trip to Turkey if you haven't been there; Greece; Amman, Jerash, Madaba, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, Aqaba in Jordan

5. Definitely go to Abu Simbel. It's worth the extra price and it's easy to get there as part of the tour.


Pleasure, Anne

I asked them to include Abu Simbel. They did not include it in the whole package. It is usually offered as an optional activity. All tours seem to do it this way.

I totally agree with Anne on this one and EVERYONE SHOULD go to Abu Simbel. I am going again. This was the highlight of my trip.

Thanks Anne for your input. YOu have done this most recently and I do not consider myself an expert on this region so love your thoughts and advice.

Anthony and Cleopatra - who could be a better source for information. Here is Anne's report from her Egypt - Nile - Petra trip. A fantastically written report whether you have any intention of doing this trip or not. One of the best ever.

http://www.bkafrica.com/I_Trip_Report_Anne.htm