Are Egypt October 2021 trips going?

[Theta]

Curious if anyone on here is booked for this fall?

 

[neurosx1983]

I think they cancelled them- I’m booked on December 21st Egypt trip and am fully expecting it to be cancelled as well.

 

[xiphoid76]

We just got back from Egypt - we were canceled from ABD last year and booked almost the same itinerary with Kensington for September this year. It was amazing! I hope you all get to go. What an amazing country. So full of history!! All sights are open, cruises running. They just need the tourists to return - most places were about 30-40% normal crowds. Made for a very nice trip for us but I know they need the tourist dollars to come back in.

 

[CaliKris]

According to the FB group, as of one week ago the October 12th Adults Only Egypt trip (with no itinerary changes) was still a go. We are on the February 2022 Adult trip and are watching closely to see if these two remaing October trips go.

 

[Magnum_PI]

According to the FB group, as of one week ago the October 12th Adults Only Egypt trip (with no itinerary changes) was still a go. We are on the February 2022 Adult trip and are watching closely to see if these two remaing October trips go.

I have no idea how they're managing with no itinerary changes given that the King Tut collection has already moved from the Egyptian Museum to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), and the GEM isn't going to open to the public until November 2022. So I suspect they're just calling it a trip to the Egyptian Museum and saying "oh look, no changes". I'm not thrilled. (EDIT: later in this thread, another user indicates that many of the major tut artifacts have not yet been moved!)

I spoke to them just now, including a supervisor, and continue to get the run around. We're also booked for Feb 2022, and were sent updated safety protocols/agreements for the trip that we're not happy about (outdoor masks, travel pods - why travel with a group with travel pods???). They refuse to refund airfare money (between $7-8k from a previous first class booking that was cancelled when we rescheduled the trip) to us if we cancel, even though we have zero tickets booked with them currently. Oh, we can move the money to a placeholder trip buuuuut that money can still ONLY apply to airfare on a future trip, which is bonkers. They've held over $10k from us since Feb of 2020 as an interest free loan, and we're reaching our breaking point with frustration on lack of refund flexibility, restrictions on how that "has-to-be-airfare money" can be spent, and lack of communication around itinerary changes that I know have to be happening based on which artifacts are currently in which museums.

It's not the trip we booked. But we're feeling arm-twisted into going because of this airfare money, sigh. My husband is at the point where he doesn't want to go and take the loss just to avoid giving them more money. I'm not sure where I stand, but I am also pretty frustrated. We are unlikely to ever use them as a travel company again, and I hate saying it but the whole thing over the past 20 or so months is beginning to impact our feelings about the Disney brand in general.

I'll anxiously wait to hear how that Oct 12 trip goes - and which Tut tomb artifacts they see (if any). (See EDIT in paragraph one of this post for a relevant update)

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I have no idea how they're managing with no itinerary changes given that the King Tut collection has already moved from the Egyptian Museum to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), and the GEM isn't going to open to the public until November 2022. So I suspect they're just calling it a trip to the Egyptian Museum and saying "oh look, no changes". I'm not thrilled.

I spoke to them just now, including a supervisor, and continue to get the run around. We're also booked for Feb 2022, and were sent updated safety protocols/agreements for the trip that we're not happy about (outdoor masks, travel pods - why travel with a group with travel pods???). They refuse to refund airfare money (between $7-8k from a previous first class booking that was cancelled when we rescheduled the trip) to us if we cancel, even though we have zero tickets booked with them currently. Oh, we can move the money to a placeholder trip buuuuut that money can still ONLY apply to airfare on a future trip, which is bonkers. They've held over $10k from us since Feb of 2020 as an interest free loan, and we're reaching our breaking point with frustration on lack of refund flexibility, restrictions on how that "has-to-be-airfare money" can be spent, and lack of communication around itinerary changes that I know have to be happening based on which artifacts are currently in which museums.

It's not the trip we booked. But we're feeling arm-twisted into going because of this airfare money, sigh. My husband is at the point where he doesn't want to go and take the loss just to avoid giving them more money. I'm not sure where I stand, but I am also pretty frustrated. We are unlikely to ever use them as a travel company again, and I hate saying it but the whole thing over the past 20 or so months is beginning to impact our feelings about the Disney brand in general.

I'll anxiously wait to hear how that Oct 12 trip goes - and which Tut tomb artifacts they see (if any).

I totally understand your frustration and agree. The pandemic has definitely changed my view of the Disney brand--from ABD, to DCL, to the Parks. The only division that I think has done a decent job is DVC. They were very flexible with points, bookings, etc.

 

[CaliKris]

I have no idea how they're managing with no itinerary changes given that the King Tut collection has already moved from the Egyptian Museum to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), and the GEM isn't going to open to the public until November 2022. So I suspect they're just calling it a trip to the Egyptian Museum and saying "oh look, no changes". I'm not thrilled.

I spoke to them just now, including a supervisor, and continue to get the run around. We're also booked for Feb 2022, and were sent updated safety protocols/agreements for the trip that we're not happy about (outdoor masks, travel pods - why travel with a group with travel pods???). They refuse to refund airfare money (between $7-8k from a previous first class booking that was cancelled when we rescheduled the trip) to us if we cancel, even though we have zero tickets booked with them currently. Oh, we can move the money to a placeholder trip buuuuut that money can still ONLY apply to airfare on a future trip, which is bonkers. They've held over $10k from us since Feb of 2020 as an interest free loan, and we're reaching our breaking point with frustration on lack of refund flexibility, restrictions on how that "has-to-be-airfare money" can be spent, and lack of communication around itinerary changes that I know have to be happening based on which artifacts are currently in which museums.

It's not the trip we booked. But we're feeling arm-twisted into going because of this airfare money, sigh. My husband is at the point where he doesn't want to go and take the loss just to avoid giving them more money. I'm not sure where I stand, but I am also pretty frustrated. We are unlikely to ever use them as a travel company again, and I hate saying it but the whole thing over the past 20 or so months is beginning to impact our feelings about the Disney brand in general.

I'll anxiously wait to hear how that Oct 12 trip goes - and which Tut tomb artifacts they see (if any).

I completely understand your frustration. Every time I call ABD I feel I get the run around or am speaking to a vacationista who really doesn't know the answers. The money grubbing policies this past year really leave a bad taste in my mouth.

I have to say we traveled with Tauck in September and it was very refreshing. They communicated with us frequently and were completely transparent. It felt very safe and we traveled with 10 of us in a bubble. No travel pods. Moving forward, we will plan to book with them.

I will let you know what I hear about the October 12th trip.

We booked under the 2020 policy with a full refund of deposit until pay in full. If we don't feel the trip will be worth it or will not really go, we will cancel before PIF.

 

[Magnum_PI]

I completely understand your frustration. Every time I call ABD I feel I get the run around or am speaking to a vacationista who really doesn't know the answers. The money grubbing policies this past year really leave a bad taste in my mouth.

I have to say we traveled with Tauck in September and it was very refreshing. They communicated with us frequently and were completely transparent. It felt very safe and we traveled with 10 of us in a bubble. No travel pods. Moving forward, we will plan to book with them.

I will let you know what I hear about the October 12th trip.

We booked under the 2020 policy with a full refund of deposit until pay in full. If we don't feel the trip will be worth it or will not really go, we will cancel before PIF.

Thanks, looking forward to hear what you learn about the Oct 12 trip too!

Our deposit is refundable as well. ...But all that airfare money (again, not even attached to any airline tickets! We're not booked yet!) isn't, which is the source of our ire.

 

[neurosx1983]

ABD just called me yesterday to go over COVID protocols for our Dec 21 Egypt trip. Pretty standard stuff (except the COVID vaccine card needs to have a QR code on it?)
At the end I asked her if any of the Oct trips were going and she confirmed that the Oct 12 trip is indeed going. I believe this will be the first ever ABD Egypt trip to go...

 

[CaliKris]

ABD just called me yesterday to go over COVID protocols for our Dec 21 Egypt trip. Pretty standard stuff (except the COVID vaccine card needs to have a QR code on it?)
At the end I asked her if any of the Oct trips were going and she confirmed that the Oct 12 trip is indeed going. I believe this will be the first ever ABD Egypt trip to go...

I think one ABD Egypt trip went in 2008 and that was it. As far as the new itinerary, this will be the inaugural trip.

It sounds like Egypt requires a QR code as proof of your vaccine. Other travelers have had success with the CLEAR app. Apparently, you can use the free version of the app to generate a QR code.

 

[Magnum_PI]

I think one ABD Egypt trip went in 2008 and that was it. As far as the new itinerary, this will be the inaugural trip.

It sounds like Egypt requires a QR code as proof of your vaccine. Other travelers have had success with the CLEAR app. Apparently, you can use the free version of the app to generate a QR code.

That's a big help, thank you! I've been pondering how to get a QR coded version. ABD says to ask the place who gave you the vaccine, and when I asked the pharmacy their response amounted to "lol what", ha.

 

[CaliKris]

That's a big help, thank you! I've been pondering how to get a QR coded version. ABD says to ask the place who gave you the vaccine, and when I asked the pharmacy their response amounted to "lol what", ha.

I hear you! Aparently ABD has been telling people to call the Egyptian embassy (to find out about QR codes), but they don't answer the phone and their voicemail is full. Not helpful!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I hear you! Aparently ABD has been telling people to call the Egyptian embassy (to find out about QR codes), but they don't answer the phone and their voicemail is full. Not helpful!

Um, what? What about the VIP service everyone is supposedly paying for? What a ridiculous response by ABD. Perhaps ABD should call the embassy to provide information! Geez. This pandemic has really shown the limitations of the alleged great customer service. Not impressed. I'd be furious with that kind of response if I were on this trip.

 

[CaliKris]

Um, what? What about the VIP service everyone is supposedly paying for? What a ridiculous response by ABD. Perhaps ABD should call the embassy to provide information! Geez. This pandemic has really shown the limitations of the alleged great customer service. Not impressed. I'd be furious with that kind of response if I were on this trip.

Exactly my thoughts!! We are not going until Feb 2022, so we have the benefit of learning from those on the Oct/Dec Egypt ABD's.

Still haven't decided if we will PIF in December. We'll see how these prior trips go. I am curious how they will handle the Nile River cruise. Originally, it was supposed to have other non-ABD guests on board. I hope they have secured a private boat so the ABD group can remain a "bubble."

 

[Mathmagicland]

That's a big help, thank you! I've been pondering how to get a QR coded version. ABD says to ask the place who gave you the vaccine, and when I asked the pharmacy their response amounted to "lol what", ha.

Only Four states as of now have digital vaccine records. I used the free Clear Health app last month to get cleared for Hawaii and it is a very easy process. Be aware, though - their clearance seems to be more for short term things like sports or theatre events or for a specific travel date as their app said the clearance was good for 11 days after I submitted the info. I don’t think it’s meant to be a permanent digital vaccine record. So screen capture any results, codes, etc, in case you need it at different points along the way.

 

[Magnum_PI]

Only Four states as of now have digital vaccine records. I used the free Clear Health app last month to get cleared for Hawaii and it is a very easy process. Be aware, though - their clearance seems to be more for short term things like sports or theatre events or for a specific travel date as their app said the clearance was good for 11 days after I submitted the info. I don’t think it’s meant to be a permanent digital vaccine record. So screen capture any results, codes, etc, in case you need it at different points along the way.

Good advice! We do live in a state with digital records with a QR code, but I have no idea if New York’s “excelsior pass” is going to be acceptable to the Egyptian government. And sadly, Google hasn’t been much help so far! Lol

 

[Magnum_PI]

Exactly my thoughts!! We are not going until Feb 2022, so we have the benefit of learning from those on the Oct/Dec Egypt ABD's.

Still haven't decided if we will PIF in December. We'll see how these prior trips go. I am curious how they will handle the Nile River cruise. Originally, it was supposed to have other non-ABD guests on board. I hope they have secured a private boat so the ABD group can remain a "bubble."

I would love for our group to have a private boat! ...Granted, I don't feel optimistic about that at the moment.. but we can hope!

 

[xiphoid76]

We used Kensington for our trip so I can’t say how ABD will handle it, but travel bubbles are a little hard for Egypt - there is very little mask wearing or distancing there. Will be difficult to control. We were a private tour so I guess it could be controlled more, but not on the Nile cruise or any of the sights. As for the QR code thing - yes Egypt requires it on the vaccine, we used Immunaband to generate a QR code and that worked just fine. They still wanted a PCR test as well at Egypt air although that is not supposed to be required. Coming home we used the Binaxnow emed self test which worked great.
Egypt was amazing, would definitely go back!

 

[xiphoid76]

One more thing - the old Egyptian museum still has the most important King Tut stuff - his throne, the death mask, bodyguard, sarcophagi, canopic jars. None of the important stuff has moved over to the grand Egyptian museum yet - our trip was 2 weeks ago, so no worries!! You will love the old museum They won’t move the stuff over till likely late 2022 for the 100th anniversary of king tuts discovery in November 2022. That is the latest rumor.

 

[CaliKris]

We used Kensington for our trip so I can’t say how ABD will handle it, but travel bubbles are a little hard for Egypt - there is very little mask wearing or distancing there. Will be difficult to control. We were a private tour so I guess it could be controlled more, but not on the Nile cruise or any of the sights. As for the QR code thing - yes Egypt requires it on the vaccine, we used Immunaband to generate a QR code and that worked just fine. They still wanted a PCR test as well at Egypt air although that is not supposed to be required. Coming home we used the Binaxnow emed self test which worked great.
Egypt was amazing, would definitely go back!

All good to know. Thanks! I was wondering if the Immunaband worked for Egypt.

We used Binaxnow emed self test to return from Spain last month and it worked like a charm!