Egypt 2011 ***IMPORTANT UPDATE 2/4/11 Post # 190***

[lizavance]

My husband and I are booked for Egypt in April. We received a call and e-mail from ABD to reassure us that they will wait to decide what to do - it made me feel good to be contacted since a co-worker scheduled to depart next Thursday with another tour operator (don't know which one) has heard nothing from them as of Friday 5pm PST.
My father and uncles grew up in Cairo in the 1920s - 1950s as expats and my uncle called yesterday very concerned that we not cancel our trip prematurely. He lived there when the king was deposed and replaced by General Nagib as interim leader. He believes it will blow over in another week. My parents had planned their trip to visit him while the king was in power and traveled after he was out of power. My mother said that she was surprised at how quickly things returned to normal, although that was a less intense power change. My uncle said that the Egyptians all realize the importance of tourism to their economy and whoever ends up in power will want to make tourists comfortable returning to Egypt as soon as possible.
All that being said, our back-up plan is ABD China and reschedule Egypt for December or 2012. I have wanted to go there for my whole life and I really I hope I still get my chance, but I won't be a daredevil either - I've got grandkids to spoil!

 

[knewton64]

Sunday, January 30, 2011Dallas, TX70°/ 44°°F°C5-day10-dayUS Making Plans to Fly Citizens Out of Egypt The US government warned that Americans should consider leaving the country as soon as possible as lawlessness & looting continued to spread.

Clinton urges Mubarak to take 'new path'
Treasures damaged during wave of looting

---------------------------------------------------
.....the above was from front page of msn.com as of 10 minutes ago.


wow....brings back memories of my family being w/i a moment away from transferring to Kuwaiit....then the US Embassy fell.


OUCH!!

Wish all of you the best on this very tense situation.

 

[beachbunny]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...es-Americans-leave-30-000-Brits-stranded.html

Latest news. 102 dead, 2000 injured, thousands of prison escapees on the loose, and U.S. calling for Americans to get out ASAP which is an escalation of the previous advisory against non-essential travel.

 

[LSmith]

This is really depressing. Watching the news and understanding what the people of Egypt are up against. It broke my heart when I was there 6 weeks ago and I can now really understand now the desperation of the people.

There isn't a day that goes by that I am haunted by the everyday life of the average Egyptian (at least in Cairo and Alexandria which we spent most of our time) which is EXTREME oppression and poverty. These people are desperate. Poverty puts you in this state.

This country has so many amazing historical sites but really when it comes down to it most Egyptians are just trying to survive daily life; it is the people that matter not us going to their pyramids and museums.

Unfortunately, I think it's going to get much worse before it gets better.

 

[Mrpill]

This is really depressing. Watching the news and understanding what the people of Egypt are up against. It broke my heart when I was there 6 weeks ago and I can now really understand now the desperation of the people.

There isn't a day that goes by that I am haunted by the everyday life of the average Egyptian (at least in Cairo and Alexandria which we spent most of our time) which is EXTREME oppression and poverty. These people are desperate. Poverty puts you in this state.

This country has so many amazing historical sites but really when it comes down to it most Egyptians are just trying to survive daily life; it is the people that matter not us going to their pyramids and museums.

Unfortunately, I think it's going to get much worse before it gets better.

I agree with LSMITH, its hard for us to really understand that they are fighting for survival every day and how desperate these people really are for hope and change. Still can't believe how rich their leader has gotten 25 billion estimated and why he has been there for 30 years..no elections??? Our ABD trip in June to Egypt is definitely on hold until the people of Egypt can turn things around...which I believe they can!

 

[corky441]

It appears the the US has provided private charter airplanes to evacuate Americans from Egypt

 

[sayhello]

It appears the the US has provided private charter airplanes to evacuate Americans from Egypt

It's a voluntary evacuation, for those who want to leave but have not been able to. There's no mandatory evacuation at this time. So far, only 2,400 out of 52,000 Americans in Egypt have asked for help getting out of Egypt.

Sayhello

 

[Danibelle]

There is a fairly lengthy travel warning on http://www.state.gov. The State dept. is evacuating the dependents of the embassy, etc. which is closed now.

It also seems that other countries are also trying to get their citizens home. Hopefully things will get better.

 

[MickeyWatch]

Thanks Kevin for the update you received as a TA.

We are scheduled for Dec. 27. Right now we are just in a wait and see position. As another poster said: things could get back to normal pretty quickly.

 

[wdwsos]

Thanks Kevin for the update you received as a TA.

We are scheduled for Dec. 27. Right now we are just in a wait and see position. As another poster said: things could get back to normal pretty quickly.

I just rebooked a client on that tour. She moved her trip to Italy in July and will likely take the Egypt trip in 2012. If anyone is thinking of moving their trip, just be aware that Viva Italia is selling out quickly. There were only two July dates available for her.

Dotti

p.s. Hi, everyone! I know I've been MIA for a while, but I just sailed three times (!) on the Dream and work has been nuts! I need a clone!

 

[RSM]

I just rebooked a client on that tour. She moved her trip to Italy in July and will likely take the Egypt trip in 2012. If anyone is thinking of moving their trip, just be aware that Viva Italia is selling out quickly. There were only two July dates available for her.

Dotti

p.s. Hi, everyone! I know I've been MIA for a while, but I just sailed three times (!) on the Dream and work has been nuts! I need a clone!

Just out of curiosity, did ABD charge anything to rebook. I think (???) in the past if you wanted to rebook you lost your deposit. Wondering if they are modifying any of their policies given the circumstances in Egypt right now?

 

[wdwsos]

Just out of curiosity, did ABD charge anything to rebook. I think (???) in the past if you wanted to rebook you lost your deposit. Wondering if they are modifying any of their policies given the circumstances in Egypt right now?

AbD has been wonderful. They have waived all cancel/change fees for anyone on the Egypt itinerary. You can move to another trip and transfer your payments, or just cancel completely and receive your money back. Right now this will go through 2/28/11 but it may be extended.

Note that they will not cover the difference if you choose a higher priced itinerary, nor will they cover airline change fees. (Personally, I don't see why they should, since they are not canceling or moving the trip.)

I was in meetings with AbD folks on my cruise and there are some changes coming to the company that I'm very happy with. I think this proactive step with the Egypt tours is one indication. No other tour company (at least none I have clients booked with) has taken this initiative.

Dotti

 

[Tikitoi]

AbD has been wonderful. They have waived all cancel/change fees for anyone on the Egypt itinerary. You can move to another trip and transfer your payments, or just cancel completely and receive your money back. Right now this will go through 2/28/11 but it may be extended.

I was in meetings with AbD folks on my cruise and there are some changes coming to the company that I'm very happy with. I think this proactive step with the Egypt tours is one indication. No other tour company (at least none I have clients booked with) has taken this initiative.

Dotti

This is the reason I would do an International trip with ABD. So glad to hear how accomodating they are.

I'm geussing this is perhaps why they don't plan any trips to Mexico.

 

[lb4747694]

AbD has been wonderful. They have waived all cancel/change fees for anyone on the Egypt itinerary. You can move to another trip and transfer your payments, or just cancel completely and receive your money back. Right now this will go through 2/28/11 but it may be extended.

Great news for those that booked this trip! Even if this situation gets cleared up soon, it would almost be worth it just to cancel the trip. I have to think that there will be very steep discounts for tours to Egypt, when everything settles down.

 

[TDC Nala]

Given this situation I might consider moving my December Egypt to the Vancouver DCL Alaska cruise add on - can that be done seeing as the Vancouver booking has to go through the cruise line?

 

[wdwsos]

Given this situation I might consider moving my December Egypt to the Vancouver DCL Alaska cruise add on - can that be done seeing as the Vancouver booking has to go through the cruise line?

I don't think the payment can be transferred as it's two separate booking systems. I could be wrong, though, as I've never had anyone ask! However, you could cancel the tour and then book the add-on.

Dotti

 

[sayhello]

AbD has been wonderful. They have waived all cancel/change fees for anyone on the Egypt itinerary. You can move to another trip and transfer your payments, or just cancel completely and receive your money back. Right now this will go through 2/28/11 but it may be extended.

Note that they will not cover the difference if you choose a higher priced itinerary, nor will they cover airline change fees. (Personally, I don't see why they should, since they are not canceling or moving the trip.)

This is so good to hear. ABD was wonderful to me when they canceled my Canadian Rockies tour. If you have to have a tour canceled, they seem to do it well.

I was in meetings with AbD folks on my cruise and there are some changes coming to the company that I'm very happy with. I think this proactive step with the Egypt tours is one indication. No other tour company (at least none I have clients booked with) has taken this initiative.

Dotti

Tease! Come on. Can't you tell us more about this?

Sayhello

 

[hugscot]

I don't think I will be taking the Egypt grenade and rocket launcher tour anytime soon

 

[MickeyWatch]

An ABD rep called my TA yesterday and told her about the new cancellation policy for the Egypt trips. They are monitoring the situation closely but have not cancelled the April trips at this time. I am going to hold on to my reservations for now and reassess the situation in a few weeks.

 

[Mrpill]

I don't think I will be taking the Egypt grenade and rocket launcher tour anytime soon

I like the new name I called ABD this morning and tried to transfer the trip to the Mediterranean DCL/ABD 11 Night....They said it could not be done since it is a different company???(must be different billing place) My next option will be to cancel completely and then sign up separately. My flight tickets need to be changed also...I called Travelocity and they said they are $280 x 4 to change..ouch! These are thru Delta Airlines did someone say they would waive the change fees??? Help!