Plans for Cairo/Alexandria ... PYRAMIDS and the NILE

For our Cairo/Alexandria ports we have decided to join a group that have booked an independant (of Princess) overnight tour ... we will disembark in Port Said and then the next day reboard in Alexandria. This is similar to an excursion Princess offers BUT at a significantly lower price for more "stuff" ... here's what we will be doing ...

DAY ONE:

Meeting: A representative from Nile Blue Tours will meet us in Port Said (right where we come off the ship) at 7 am for transfer to Cairo with the Convoy (198 km) by air-conditioned coach for a two-day private tour of Cairo, Giza, Sakkara and Alexandria with an English-speaking Egyptologist. Security is provided by the Egyptian Government. During the tour we will do the following:
Excursion to Saqqara: The first stop on our shore excursion is south of Cairo in Saqqara, one section of the great necropolis of Memphis. Saqqara is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest of Egypt's pyramids. It was built for King Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who designed it and its surrounding complex to be as grand as it was unique and revolutionary. Imhotep was the first to built stone tombs to honor the king.
Lunch at Le Pasha 1901 in Cairo. Le Pacha 1901 has been awarded the coveted "Superbrands" classification for the Best 5 Star restaurants in Egypt. Restaurant lunch is included in price. To see some of the past illustrious patrons of Le Pasha 1901, check out http://lepacha.com/accolades.html.
Egyptian Museum of Antiquities: Built in 1857, under the supervision of August Mariette, it contains a large part of the fabulous treasure of Tutankhamen. We will spend the afternoon there and just get a taste of what this wonderful museum has to offer.
Check into the Cairo Marriott Hotel and Omar Khayyam Casino, built around a historical palace which has housed European monarchs, including Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, and was the venue of the first performance of Verdi's Opera Aida!
I have already stayed at the Cairo Marriott and it is absolutely gorgeous. It is the most impressive hotel I have ever stayed at! Have a look: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/caieg%20/
The Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids: The sound and light show at the pyramids is an enchanting experience. The show makes the ancient times come alive through sound, light, and music describing the history of the Pyramids and the glory of the Pharaohs. The show lasts about 45 minutes. Bring a sweater. It can get cool at night.
Evening at leisure in the hotel. Here are your dinner choices from the Cairo Marriott web site. (See below for the optional Nile Dinner Cruise):

Nile Dinner Cruise on the Nile Maxim: The Nile Maxim is known to offer one of the most luxurious dinner cruises on the Nile with the best service. It departs right across from the Marriott and offers a non-smoking section. The food and the entertainment (belly dancers, twirling dervishes and singers) are known to be excellent. This is a dinner option for the tour and costs $45. (Researching this dinner cruise online I twice found that the price quoted was $65, so once again Hazem is offering us a great deal!

DAY TWO:

Excursion to the Giza Plateau: This is what you've been waiting for! The Great Pyramids of Giza, dating back to 2500 BC , are some of the most famous manmade objects in the world. While there are actually over one hundred pyramids in Egypt, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only one of the "Seven Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Camel Safari (optional): You will have the opportunity to take a 25-minute camel safari from the Pyramids down to the Sphinx. This is a great photo opportunity! The price is $12 single "occupancy", $20 double "occupancy".

During your time at the Giza Plateau, there is no escaping the mysterious Sphinx, a symbol which has come to represent the essence of Egypt for thousands of years. With the body of a lion and the head of a king, there is as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.
Lunch at Caviar Restaurant in Giza. Here you have a choice of red meat, chicken, or fish (calamari anyone?) with french fries. Nice atmosphere and good food familiar to American palates!
Shopping in a Government-approved store: In this store on three levels you will be able to shop to your heart's content. On the lower level you will find a wide selection of papyrus , on the main level is a beautiful selection of gold and precious jewelry, and on the upper level you will find a varied selection of typical Egyptian craftsmanship and souvenirs (kaftans, inlaid boxes, water pipes, amber jewelry, etc. etc. etc.). You will also have the opportunity to order a "cartouche" with your name written in hieroglyphics. Prices for silver cartouches last year started at $20 (Princess offered the option of ordering personalized cartouches on the ship with silver cartouches starting at $60!)

Departure to Alexandria: The transfer to Alexandria (230 km) will begin around 3:30 pm. in our air-conditioned coach with our English-speaking Egyptologist. Security is provided.

Arrival in Alexandria: Scheduled for approximately 6:00 pm. We will view some of the main sites in Alexandria from our bus as we work our way toward the port.
Transfer to the Grand Princess in the port of Alexandria at 6:30 pm in plenty of time for the 8 pm departure. There is a market inside the port area where you can pick up some last-minute souvenirs.

The tour package includes the following:
*** One night in deluxe 5-star Cairo Marriot Hotel and Omar Khayyam Casino (breakfast included).
*** Lunch at La Pasha 1901 on the first day.
*** Lunch at Caviar in Giza the second day.
***Two-day Tour of Cairo (Alexandria) with private English-speaking Egyptologist. ***Private air-conditioned coach with toilet for visiting all sights.
***Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids
*** All entrance fee tickets for tourist sites (n.b. The mummy room at the Egyptian Museum is not included.)
*** Meet and assist at Port Said upon arrival
*** All transfers (Port Said/Cairo/Alexandria) *** Security during the tour
*** An English-speaking Egyptologist as our guide
What's not included?

*Egypt entry visa (this is arranged by Princess Cruises)
* Beverages (except water and soft drinks available on the bus)
* Personal expenses
* Tips for the Drivers, the Guide, etc.

Nile Blue Tours is an official tour operator, member AETBI, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. They will provide experienced and friendly staff to take care of us while we are in Egypt.