Planning a cruise can be one of the most exciting activities that a person, a couple, or a family can undertake.
But it is not as easy as booking a plane and a hotel.
The budget must be planned.
The itinerary must be determined.
And travel arrangements had to be made because cruises may last for several days.
Thus, some tourists find it more convenient to simply hire a travel agent to organize the cruise.
To help the tourists who are planning on taking a cruise in Egypt, here are helpful tips.
For tourists with a tight budget, the best time to schedule a cruise is during the two weeks before or after the peak season.
This is the time when travel agencies and cruise ships offer incredible discounts.
Of course, it is still possible to have a discount during other times, especially when the tourists are slotted with another group of tourists.
A larger group will command a greater discount and there might be several perks such as free photos and a welcome party for the group.
But before jumping into the itinerary of one travel agency, it is recommended that the tourist must also check several travel agencies and compare prices, services, and places to see.
After all, why should a mummy-curious tourist join a cruise that does not include a visit in the Valley of Kings? The next step is to select a cruise ship.
There are several companies that offer cruises in Egypt.
The major cruise lines are the Norwegian Cruise Line, the Carnival, the Royal Caribbean, the Celebrity, the Silversea, the Seabourne, the Radisson, the Costa, and the Crystal.
A comparison of these cruise lines shows that the least expensive is the one offered by the Norwegian Cruise Line and the most expensive is the one conducted by Crystal.
But the services offered by the cruise lines vary significantly.
The expensive cruises are usually characterized by better amenities, more varied choices of food, and entertainment.
Short cruises, such as the ones offered by Carnival, are patronized by younger people, while long cruise trips, such as those from the Celebrity, are attractive to the geriatric group.
The choice of the cruise ship, therefore, largely depends on three factors: the budget, the amenities, and the company.
And finally, before embarking on the cruise in Egypt, it is best to get a background of the country such as places to go, the weather and climate, the currency exchange, and even the language.
Many Egyptians speak English and the members of the crew of cruise ships are required to speak in English, but it is still helpful to know a little of the major language, which is Arabic, even if it is just to say hello and goodbye.
Marhaba salam alekom (hello).
Maasalaama (goodbye).