I am not telling you to book with a travel agent, especially after your experience with one that should not be in business. Don't mention that travel agent in the same breath as one that bends over backwards to help a client. As you stated you may have a bad experience on your own but a good travel agent can solve problems much easier since they know where to go to get satisfaction.<BR><BR>Why should Maryann ask about ships to Egypt here when a travel agent can tell her in 10 minutes which ships sail there and how much each ships costs and what type of cruising experience the ship will offer? They could also tell you the tour companies that offer land based trips. <BR><BR>I was just stating the easiest way to do things. I do not know why I always get an argument when I mention a travel agent. If you are just going for price and not service and your travel agent gives you the same price as the cruise line price, shop around some more. <BR><BR>And also Maryann should make sure that all shore tours have armed-guard accompanyment.<BR><BR>This is not just because of 9/11 but guards have been in place now for a few years.<BR><BR>Paul