A survey: Are you going to Egypt this spring?
Feb 19th, 2011, 08:40 PM
#1
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A survey: Are you going to Egypt this spring?
We had a May trip under serious consideration, considered it cancelled, now it is under serious consideration again. Our contact at Lady Egypt tells us Yes, please come.
Who on this forum is going/not going and why?
Who on this forum is going/not going and why?
Feb 19th, 2011, 09:15 PM
#2
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I had my honeymoon booked for Egypt on May 3-17. I got my money back but I am SERIOUSLY considering it again. I called the USTAO and they are aware that some tour operators are still booking for May.
I dont know what to do. I planned for that honeymoon since November.
What are your thoughts? What feedback have you heard?
I dont know what to do. I planned for that honeymoon since November.
What are your thoughts? What feedback have you heard?
Feb 20th, 2011, 12:23 AM
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We cancelled our mid to late March trip at the end of January.
Yesterday I spoke to a person associated with the cruise company we were using for our Nile cruise. He advised us not to even think about re-booking for at least several months. He said Egypt is not stable. He was honest with us.
While some people, especially tour and travel agents are saying things are fine and please come back, others in the travel industry are saying that Egypt is still in transition and not yet fully up and running and with the continued potential of additonal protests and conflict.
I actually just read an announcement, dated 18/2/2011 from the Ministry of the Interior - "important news" from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces that all protests must stop as they "hindering interests and production, and creating serious economic circumstances". Furthermore, it was stated that the "continuation of instability will harm the country's national security".
Do your research. Tour companies want the business and will, of course, tell you everything is okay.
I guess it is a personal decision.
Yesterday I spoke to a person associated with the cruise company we were using for our Nile cruise. He advised us not to even think about re-booking for at least several months. He said Egypt is not stable. He was honest with us.
While some people, especially tour and travel agents are saying things are fine and please come back, others in the travel industry are saying that Egypt is still in transition and not yet fully up and running and with the continued potential of additonal protests and conflict.
I actually just read an announcement, dated 18/2/2011 from the Ministry of the Interior - "important news" from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces that all protests must stop as they "hindering interests and production, and creating serious economic circumstances". Furthermore, it was stated that the "continuation of instability will harm the country's national security".
Do your research. Tour companies want the business and will, of course, tell you everything is okay.
I guess it is a personal decision.
Feb 20th, 2011, 03:16 AM
#5
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New Travel alert 2/18 by state department below
not to go there for non-essential travel.
travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html
I will not head there until consular advisories are ok.
www.insuremytrip.com always wise and have an exit strategy
in place if one elects to neglect consular travel warnings.
not to go there for non-essential travel.
travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html
I will not head there until consular advisories are ok.
www.insuremytrip.com always wise and have an exit strategy
in place if one elects to neglect consular travel warnings.
Feb 20th, 2011, 06:25 AM
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I had our one week stay in March cancelled (re-booked for Jordan). Which I regret very much. I would leave in a heartbeat if I could. Belgian touroperators will start flying again tomorrow. No travel alert from the Belgian/Dutch/German/... Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
Feb 20th, 2011, 06:39 AM
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Our trip is planned for mid May and we are hoping to be able to go. It depends on the US State Dept. travel info. My hope is that now that the protesters appear to have gotten what they so vocally demanded that come May the US will relax the travel warning. Protesters now need to focus on presenting viable candidates to govern with policies/plans to make things better for all Egyptians. Egypt needs the tourists and tourists want to come to Egypt but only if it's going to be safe. Vacations should be enjoyable and stress free.
Feb 20th, 2011, 06:51 AM
#9
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http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...wsletter-daily
Check out the recent story in TIME magazine before deciding 100%. This may swing you the other way.
I do want to have EVERYONE read it down to the point where they talk about who the men on the horses and camels were in Tahrir Sq that day! Journalists were making up one story while the truth sat untold until TIME got hold of it. It makes me so mad that the press just makes up whatever they want to say in an effort to explain something - they are as bad as the Egyptian people themselves at beleiving whatever rumor is told to them.
FYI - to add to the poll I would have been there Feb 4 if I could have - after canceled flight after canceled flight, I am now booked to go in on the 24th. Pray for me that I make it. Thank you.
Check out the recent story in TIME magazine before deciding 100%. This may swing you the other way.
I do want to have EVERYONE read it down to the point where they talk about who the men on the horses and camels were in Tahrir Sq that day! Journalists were making up one story while the truth sat untold until TIME got hold of it. It makes me so mad that the press just makes up whatever they want to say in an effort to explain something - they are as bad as the Egyptian people themselves at beleiving whatever rumor is told to them.
FYI - to add to the poll I would have been there Feb 4 if I could have - after canceled flight after canceled flight, I am now booked to go in on the 24th. Pray for me that I make it. Thank you.
Feb 20th, 2011, 11:15 AM
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Thanks for the article, C_C. Very interesting read. I have read other stories about "not everyone" being happy with the protesters in Tahrir because of how much they disrupted the daily livelihood of so many. Hopefully it will all turn out well in the long run...
Hubby, myself and brother are going to Egypt on 26 March for two weeks (Cairo, Aswan, Nile Cruise and Luxor). In deference to the uncertainty, we are taking a day from Cairo and adding it to Luxor and will probably not do a day trip to Alexandria. We are glad to have our own guide (AHY) and the possibility of seeing the sights with fewer crowds. Plus, it's our little contribution to the tourism industry. Being from New Orleans, we know that every person that comes back after a crisis makes a huge difference.
Going to Egypt, with the uncertainty and warnings, is a very personal decision. We see it as an opportunity to experience the country in a way we couldn't have before 25 January (coincidentally my birthday) but understand how others would postpone. I will defintely report in once we are back...
Hubby, myself and brother are going to Egypt on 26 March for two weeks (Cairo, Aswan, Nile Cruise and Luxor). In deference to the uncertainty, we are taking a day from Cairo and adding it to Luxor and will probably not do a day trip to Alexandria. We are glad to have our own guide (AHY) and the possibility of seeing the sights with fewer crowds. Plus, it's our little contribution to the tourism industry. Being from New Orleans, we know that every person that comes back after a crisis makes a huge difference.
Going to Egypt, with the uncertainty and warnings, is a very personal decision. We see it as an opportunity to experience the country in a way we couldn't have before 25 January (coincidentally my birthday) but understand how others would postpone. I will defintely report in once we are back...
Feb 20th, 2011, 02:46 PM
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Wow, Grcxx3, small world! We are "in exile" in Houston at present (hubby's job) but go home regularly--next time is for Mardi Gras! Hubby's dream of seeing Egypt started with the King Tut exhibition at NOMA in the 70's and this trip is his birthday celebration.
Feb 20th, 2011, 03:04 PM
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nola - we're in Houston too (out west...and yes, job related!). Can't make it for Mardi Gras, but will be over there the week after.
And I understand you're husband's excitement. I also saw the King Tut exhibit at NOMA (1977). It was fabulous!
And I understand you're husband's excitement. I also saw the King Tut exhibit at NOMA (1977). It was fabulous!
Feb 20th, 2011, 04:31 PM
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Well girls, I was in NOLA a week ago last Wednesday night and did my part to help the economy - 3 hurricanes, 1 hand grenage and a taxi ride home later. Put plenty into the Mississippi economy too at Walgreens in their aspirin dept. too. 
Feb 20th, 2011, 05:37 PM
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Echoing the thanks, Debbie! I'm officially craving a hand grenade now. That's my traditional Lundi Gras drink when we wander the Quarter awaiting the parades.
Grcxx3-we live in the Woodlands. I work up here, hubby commutes to downtown. He just asked when the Tut exhibit was so now I know... Bit before my time, but it was memorable for many New Orleanians. Really small world!
Grcxx3-we live in the Woodlands. I work up here, hubby commutes to downtown. He just asked when the Tut exhibit was so now I know... Bit before my time, but it was memorable for many New Orleanians. Really small world!
Feb 21st, 2011, 06:17 AM
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Well, I suppose we'll still think about going, will keep an eye on the news and the US travel advisory. I figure I could wait until April to actually book flights, we would be flying from Rome.
I did think about the folks in the Gulf having such hard times when the tourists stayed away!
I did think about the folks in the Gulf having such hard times when the tourists stayed away!
