Axel2DP

I know that LE has been given for the most part glowing reviews fodors, including myself when they arranged my Egypt trip in May 2010. However, I have to rant a little bit about LE for my current return trip to Cairo. Amanda said that she made reservations for 4 nights at City View Hotel. My printed itiniary said City View Hotel and that was the schedule I had before I paid my fee. I arrived in Cairo yesterday and checked into City View with no apparent problem. The room looked very nice. The restaurant has a view of the Museum. Great. I was pretty happy with it. However, about 10 minutes later the guide that delivered me to Cairo from Sinai called my room and said that there had been a mixed up and that I needed to pack up my belongings again and move to another hotel. Really? Needless to say I was caught completely surprised. There had been no prior email whatsoever saying that I didn't have City View. I was delivered to another hotel downtown whose room did not look anywhere near as nice as CV. I was given the option of a quiet room or the room facing the street. I picked the quiet room. Well if my current room is the "quiet" room then I hate to hear what's the non-quiet room is like. I hear car horns honking all night long; The streets outside the hotel is very, very busy with crowds and cars. The new tour rep tried to assured me that this new hotel is the "better" hotel. Well unless he thinks I"m 4 years old then I don't know who he's trying to fool. But whatever, I decided that I just needed a place to sleep and will make the best of it.

This new guide then said he'll be available 24/7 for me to call him. If I need to arrange any excursion then just let him know. I said yesterday that I'd like to arrange for a ride to the pyramids S&L show. He said he'll call the office and call me later in my hotel. He never called. I called him this morning about it. He said the office was closed (could've have called and inform me about that), but that he'll call the office this morning and will leave me a voice mail. I hurried home to my hotel this afternoon but no mesage. I had the operator called him but hasn't heard back from him. I don't know what's going on and I'm frustrated right now. I'm just counting the hours until I get out of Cairo on the 21st.

I had a great time in Jordan and climbing Mt. Sinai yesterday at 1:30am was quite an experience. Honestly I wish I had ended my trip with Jordan.

Ok end of my rant Thanks.

impacked

ohh, we are all waiting to hear the out come. Of course, mistakes can always happen but those of us who have booked with L.E. will really be interested as to what happens next.

Good luck and enjoy your trip despite your hotel and guide.

All the Best

sf7307

Those of us (I know this includes you) who have previously had good experiences with LE also want to hear the end of this. I don't know how i would have reacted if I were in my room at the City View and I got that call. I think I would have told them to come and get me because I wasn't going anywhere! It certainly would have been enough to sour me on the trip, but then to add to that the lack of service, is appalling. Hope it gets better.

TravelerB

Hi there
It’s better for all traveler with any local travel agent to take the operator cell phone or any emergency cell
My last trip my local agent gave me private cell phone they answer 24 hours.

chris45ny

Out of curiosity-what hotel were you moved to?? Am interested as to how this all turns out as am waiting for a price quote from Amanda for upcoming trip 2011. Hope this get better for you!!

MissGreen

I got changed from Helnan Palestine in Alexandria to a suite at Martine Jollie in Alexandria on the main concourse opposite the beach. I had no idea what I was missing as I had not been to the Helnan Palestine. Many people on Trip Advisor said the martine Jollie was terrible but I found it just fine as we had a balcony overlooking the mediteranian. They had fabulous big and cheap chocolate cake in the coffee shop....7 Egyptian Pounds! Wow.

Maybe the hotel switcheroo wasn't LE's fault. Maybe the rep was just trying to make the best of it for you.

We were a bit annoyed with LE once as they didn't meet us when we came in to Cairo from an internal flight and we had to transfer to an international flight to Jordan. The airport folks didn't know what they were doing and neither did we. Ahmed had said he probably wouldn't be there as he had something on but I thought he would of sent someone else. I rang him and he didn't answer... so we just drifted around with other passengers in the same boat and FINALLY found someone to help. Ahmed called back after we'd worked out what we had to do. I was annoyed with that at the time.

Casual_Cairo

I too am cuious what hotel they put you in down town. The Tallisman? For what it's worth, I've heard many people say the CV is not quiet either - I mean you are RIGHT on Tahrir Square - one of the busiest squares in Cairo - while you have a view, you might need it if you can't sleep.

I guess all this bad luck comes because you were here during the EID or Feast when most of Egypt is closed down. I suspect Amanda was off with her family killing sheep and boiling meat instead of caring what your hotel needs were. Everyone else was too - for the most part. Shame on your guide or helper for not answering his phone though! And of course the office was closed - it's a holiday, and works out to be a long one this time - not unlike how Christmas and New Years will work into a week off for many Americans this year.

sf7307

<<<Maybe the hotel switcheroo wasn't LE's fault. Maybe the rep was just trying to make the best of it for you.>>>

Yes, but were you already <i>in your room</i> in the first hotel?

<<<We were a bit annoyed with LE once as they didn't meet us when we came in to Cairo from an internal flight and we had to transfer to an international flight to Jordan. >>>

That's funny because when they <i>did</i> pick us up to move us from one terminal to the other, it was certainly unexpected!!

Axel2DP

I'm staying currently at Cairo Khan Hotel on 12 July 26 St. I have never seen anything as crazy and hectic as what take place nightly along July street and its out streets. It's literally a mad house. The street and streets radiating from it are packed with shops, movie theatres, restaurants, etc. There are literally what feels like several thousands of people nightly crowding the sidewalks and poring into the streets.( You have to see the crowd trying to get into a movie theatre to be believe!) There are constant honking of car horns from afternoons into the early next mornings because people are weaving in and out in the middle of the street. I don't know if this has to do with the Feast celebration, or if it's really like this on a regular basis?

The hotel is clean, which is good, but the hot water only last for about 2-3 minutes.

As a general rule, I'm pretty adaptable. I was upset that I wasn't (a) giving an earlier notice about the hotel switcheroo. The guide that delivered me from Sinai to the CV did not know anything about it, and that was why we went to CV and checked in. The tour rep has not given me an explanation as to what happened. It's just an 'I don't know' from him. I'm actually surpised I was able to check in though. I mean I gave the porter a tip and then oops, I have to take my belongings out again. Shouldn't I get the tip back, LOL ? and (b) The Cairo tour rep should not have giving me the speech about how he'll be availabe 24/7 for my needs, and that he'll check on things for me and call me back and then I havent' heard a peep from him since. I would totally understand if he's celebrating in the feast and is not available, but it's good customer service to let the customer know.

I do have to say that the tour rep that met me at Tabo and then the driver and guide that were with me for the Sinai portion were great. So I'm sure LE is still a good company.

Casual_Cairo

You can bet it is 99% because of the Feast. How long are you here? Everyone should be going back to work on Sunday, so Saturday night should be pretty quiet in comparison.

You are right though, the Cairo Khan is no prize in my opinion, but I guess equal to the CV except for the view if that matters.

I know all about Customer Service. I have had to bite my lip and make calls to customers when everything didn't go perfectly and make ammends. I know what that is all about, and while it isn't fun, I do it.

And, I know you know this, but NO you shouldn't get your tip back - at least from the boy that helped you - maybe you should from LE though!

Axel2DP

When I met with the tour rep for my Cairo departure on the 11/21, I told him how disappointed I was with him for not getting back to me regarding the itinearies that I wanted to do and about him not returning my call. He claimed that he did leave a message and that the hotel clerk must have misplaced or not taken it down. I would've bought his explanation 100% except that I got the message he left me on 11/20 to confirm my departure time just fine. Am I supposed to buy that the hotel desk clerk was not competant to take messages properly on the 18th, yet she/he was able to take down the message on the 20th fine? And as a tour rep, he should have tried to leave me several messages if he didn't hear from me. It also was fishy to me that he didn't have my correct flight departure number and destination when we met on the last day.

Regarding the reason why he didn't return my call, he showed me his phone with a cracked front and said it was broken on the day that I tried to call him. It's a possible explanation, I supposed, but he also had other clients beside myself that week. I can't believe that he missed all his calls from every client due to his broken phone.

On the day that I left, I told him that I had not book a flight back to Cairo yet but planned to do so on expedia. He then said that he will check on prices for me and get me the best prices. He basically guarantee that he'll be in touch with me in Luxor. Well it's no surprise that I haven't heard from him in the past two days. I really don't know what his issue was with me, but at this point I just have to chalk it to "Whatever" with this guy. I do think though if I was travelling with two or more person I would not have been ignored this way by him.

The tour rep guy did have plenty of charms, but then so do a lot of the touts that approach me on the street trying to scam me to spend my money .

To add one lasting memory to my revisit to Cairo, I decided to visit the Egyptian Museum the day prior to my departure. So I checked in my big camera bag and then went inside. When I was ready to leave the museum, I couldn't for the life of me find the camera bag checked-in tag number to retrieve my bag. I had no idea how in the world I lost it. Needless to say, the bag check-in clerk would not let me do anything to try and identity my bag without the tag number. I was in a major panic at this point. It was 4pm. They wanted to to come back at closing time to see what bag remained. I was like no way, because if someone found my tag then he could use it to take my stuff. To make long story short, I enlisted the help of an Enlish speaking guide at the museum for help. He then got the museum police involved, and he got his chief involved, etc. I was sort of a big mess, but after much arguing with the clerk back and forth I was finally allowed inside the stock room to find my bag. It did help a lot that I had a big old luggage tag with my name on it attached to the camera bag so that I could show the police that it was my bag. This was probably the only time in Egypt that I didn't mind at all the demand for baksheesh [from the officer, no less], LOL.

Casual_Cairo

Sounds like if it weren't for bad luck you'd have NO luck at all around here. I hope you find it all charming and funny in a few weeks/months/years. Sorry.

SandraJoy

Sounds like an adventure movie gone bad. But at least you know Cairo has its charms! My husband and I will be there May 4 for only one day, arriving SharmElShiek on a cruise ship. We've been to Cairo a few yeas ago, saw all the pyramids, but missed the Egyptian museun and "old Cairo"
Any suggestions about transportation into Cairo from the port?
And then, a tour guide for while we're there? We could have another couple join us if 4 people get better service than two (LOL)I hesitate to contact LE for only one day...so other suggestions will be appreciated

chris45ny

SandraJoy

Send me an e-mail [email protected]
If you want I can give you some info on tour guides and then you can research them by typing in their names here in search or on trip adviser to read the reviews.

I'm sure you could contact LE about a day tour. If they can't do it, then they will simply let you know.

Casual_Cairo

SandraJoy - the drive from Sharm el Sheikh to Cairo is up to 6 hours. You will HAVE to fly. Does the ship offer tours via flights that you can sign up for? If so that would be the SAFEST way to do it. If you go via your own flights on Egypt Air, you risk a canceled flight or one that might just be delayed.... NOT something you want if you are in port for one day and MUST catch that ship. If you do go with LE, ask them what they guarantee about getting you back to the ship, and I'd get that in writing as it will be a risk.
Sharm el Sheikh is NOT the best port to try to reach Cairo from by a long shot.
IF the ship has a tour to sign up for, it will probably be a fast one that included pyramids and all 9 yards, BUT if they are late, the ship will wait for them.
Good Luck.

micmic

I've seen similar things happening with a lot of companies that get many good reviews. Eventually they find their clients increasing esponentially, but only a few are willing to invest the extra money in maintaining the same quality of services. "They used to be good but not anymore" is a phrase you hear very often.

SandraJoy

Casual Cairo and Chris 45...thanks for your input. Last time I was on a cruise in Egypt, they docked in Alexandria and left for Cairo at 5 in the AM....so now it looks like they chose a port further away...go figure. We also dock in Alexandria on this cruise but it's after Cairo...so I guess
we may elect to stay in Sharm el Sheikh unless they have a ship's tour that skips the pyramids. But, Chris, I will email you for names...also will need a guide and transport from Safaga to Luxor, where we will stay overniight.
Suggestions? (I also wrote this request on another thread)

Casual_Cairo

Sandra Joy - if you are docking in Alexandria later in your cruise, save the trip to Cairo for then. If you don't have to see the pyramids, you should be pretty easily able to get to Cairo for the museum and something more.
It will be LOTS easier to sort out a private tour from Alexandria. We all can do that.
Alternatively, organize coming to Cairo from Sharm and stay in a hotel until you can return to Alexandria and get on the ship again there.

SandraJoy

Getting off the ship in Sharm and rejoining the cruise in Alexandria sounds like the best option. And staying overnight in a hotel should work. I use Starwood points
and most likely would look for a Sheraton,
Westin, or Meridian hotel. Would LE be the place to contact?
The above "rant" scares me bit...but then it won't be a holiday when we're there.

Grcxx3

SandraJoy - Casual_Cairo could also help you. Check out -

http://www.casualcairodetours.com/