Thanks Debi ... we were on a small Pricness ship. Actually the same size as the Azamara Quest. While we were in Sorrento, the Azamara Quest was there too.

A poster who read my comment took offense to my pay toilet comment in Israel and claimed that they did not encounter paid toilet situation in Israel. I am glad that someone else has similar experience as us. They accepted US$ from us. They will take 1/2 Euro or 75 cents US.

We had washroom on the bus as well but we were discouraged from using it saying that it will stink up the bus, plus, they wanted the TP in a basket and not flushed. This practice was not consistent though, and DW did use the washroom on the bus a couple of times.

I can see why they wanted $ for toilet use. It is the cost of the water. I heard from somewhere that almost 80% of drinking water came from the Sea of Galilee, and they recyle, and reuse their grey water, from flusghing to irrigation. That's why they started to grow more cotton as they can use contaminated water for the cotton crops but not for food crops.

I am not objecting to pay toilet, I am just not use to it. The only time that I really object to it was at the Egyptian Museum.

Pricness, to there credit, had offered partial refunds on shore excursions where we had a bad experience. I wasn't expectating that as the bad experience were casued by the crowds and traffic which really is beyond their control. However, the guide could have made the sitaution better, not worst. Most people were very understanding of the situation and were very pleased with the refund and the "intense listening" at the tour desk.

I am glad that you enjoyed the trip report. I hope it wasn't too long winded and my attempt at humor is probably not all that good. I am very appreciative of your comment. Thank you.

ESCHEW--we are back!!! Will be writing a long review, but want to tell you the comments about the Giza Plateau were right on. It appears these national treasures are being ignored (my original comments are in e-mail hell).. Hated, hated Alexandria and Cairo.in all my travels to undeveloped areas never so such disregard for filth and sanitation only came across two or three hand outs in Egypt..Traffic going back to filthy, dirty Alexandria was a nightmare of cars breakingdown, overturned trucks, people walking (we were with Ramses tour). "Arrived back at the ship after 930 p.m to the welcome of cool towels, a phalnxy of officers outside welcoming us back and punch, cold water and waiter telling us that the buffet was open for us..Tell DW went out the next a.m to the bazaar and did well with belts for Parrot Pop and many souveniers including the scarves with the coins. Israel was such an experience..we stayed at the Dan Hotel and overlooked the old city..

Welcome home, ParrotMom. I didn't enjoy Cairo but I didn't mind Alexandria. If you think Egypt is bad, there are worst places.

The cairo traffic is defineitly very bad. Only place worst, maybe, is Istanbul.

I didn't report too much on the ship as everything was what it should be. When there is nothing to talk about, it menas it's all good. The cold towel etc is part of the expectation. Aren't we spoiled!

I am looking forward to your trip report and would love to see the similarities and differences that you and I have encountered. I hope the little tid-bits on my trip report was helpful.