The All- Cruise Essentials
As Egypt’s leading and most prestigious Nile River Cruise company, Travcotels’ fleet of state-of-the-art ships provide a variety of accommodation, onboard dining opportunities and leisure activities to ensure that the needs and requirements of all age groups are being met for a memorable vacation. Nevertheless, your packing list is essential. Covered for every eventuality means you can indulge in comfort with confidence knowing that the journey of a lifetime awaits you.
What you pack will depend on the time of year you travel, but it is always important to respect the local culture relating to dress code. When disembarking the ship for sightseeing or longer safari trips, women should ensure they keep their shoulders, chest and knees covered for a more relaxing Egyptian experience. As for summertime, linen and cotton clothing is the best, yet, washable silks are light and very convenient.
A pair of comfortable flat shoes will be indispensable and a light wind jacket should be packed for colder evenings in the winter. Informal clothing is recommended for the day and smart casual attire for the evenings, although special events will require suits and cocktail dresses. With a general trend towards relaxed dressing, cruises now regularly feature ‘resort casual’ or ‘country club casual’ dress every night. In the instance you should forget anything on your travels note: all cruises do feature shops or small bazaars.
And of course, without the proper visas and passports (that has to be valid for a minimum of six months after your return date) you will not be able to embark on your journey.
Here are some important facts and figures to know about Egypt:
Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken.
French, Deutsch and English speaking staff are available.
Time
GMT + 2 in winter.
GMT + 3 from May to September.
Currency
Egyptian Pound (L.E.) =100 piastres.
Credit Cards
American Express, MasterCard and Visa Card.
Weather
Mediterranean climate with a clear sunny sky all through the year. Average temperatures vary from 9 to 19C in winter and 22 to 40C in summer.
Shopping
Nice papyrus paintings, Egyptian souvenirs, cotton and leather garments, gold and silver items are the best buys. Bargaining in Khan El Khalili and bazaars is very common, while in regular city shops, prices are usually fixed. Most shops are open from 10:00 to 22:00, while some close for a lunch break from 14:00 to 17:00. In addition, all boats have a gift shop.
Telephone Dial Code
To dial any number in Egypt from abroad, the dial code is +20 followed by the code of the city and the number.
Telecommunication
You can easily stay in touch with your business or home: international telephone and fax facilities are available on board, with direct telephone dialing from your cabin or suite.
Electric Current
Electric current all over Egypt is: 220 Volts AC - 50Hz. Sockets are normally European standard plugs.