Louis cruise liners (Louis Cruise Lines)

Member Name: traceyk100

Product:	Louis Cruise Lines
Date:	20/10/08 (281 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: helpful friendly staff

Disadvantages: food

Louis Cruise lines

I am doing this review on the Louis cruise I am going to seperatly review the Cairo trip which is where the cruise is going because there is lots of information on both. In October this year I was holidaying in Aiya Napa Cyprus and while I was there I decided that I wanted to do a bit of sightseeing and what better to see is the pyramids in Egypt. On the first day after we arrived in Cyprus our rep sent a letter through our apartment door (because we missed our welcome meeting) and it told us about the cruises they offered with Louis cruise lines to Israel and Egypt. The Israel trip left on Wednesday and lasts two days and it wouldn't have been back until the Friday and we were leaving then so we couldn't have went because we were flying home that day and would have missed our flight home. The Egypt trip left on the Monday and returned on the Wednesday so we decided to do this trip instead.

Booking the cruise

We had already decided that we wanted to do the cruise so we decided that we would price around some of the travel agents all of the travel agents that we tried were more expensive than booking of our rep they were giving us a price of 300 Euros each for an inside standard cabin and the rep was giving us a price with a free upgrade to an outside cabin of 249 Euros each. So we went back to our hotel to book it of our rep, she wasn't there but we asked at reception how we could get in contact and she was very helpful and gave us her mobile number. We phoned Marina (our rep) and it was her day of but she came into the hotel to book the cruise for us which was really helpful and kind of her to do. Marina then went through the details of the excursion for when we got to Egypt and she was also very informative to where we had to get the bus to take us from Aiya Napa till Limmasol were the cruise was setting sail from this cost us 20 euro more. I found that this was the easiest way to book the cruise because if you have any problems it is easy to find the rep and also Marina got us an extra upgraded from a standard outside cabin to a superior cabin so I felt really looked after.

Transfers to the cruise

Our rep told us to find the bus in front of the museum which was only down the road of our apartments (Takkas hotel apartments) it was easy for us to find and was only a 2 minute walk. We were told that the bus would leave at around 11am to 11.15am but it didn't turn up until 11.45am which was really annoying because had to sit in the sun with no shade because we didn't want to move incase we missed the bus. When the bus arrived a rep came off and took our names and we got onto the bus, the bus was well air conditioned but about 20 minutes into the journey our bus broke down and we had to change buses which was a hassle and added on about half an hour to our hour and half journey.

Getting on board

Before we were allowed to travel we had to show our passports because we were travelling to another country we also had to get our bags checked and searched this didn't take very long and it made you feel safe because anyone could just walk on board. When I first saw the ship it looked massive and there was staff outside passing around orange juice which was really refreshing. We then walked up some steps attached to the side of the ship were there was really friendly staff to meet us to take our passports and book a table for dinner which was included in the price of the cruise. There was also a photographer to take our photo for a souvenir. We then left our passport in reception so they could get them stamped we got these back in the morning we also got our room keys here. It was much organised and everyone got their keys quickly. Our room was on the top floor which was the sixth floor. We then went exploying on our floor was a cafe and the outside deck with a swimming pool and sun loungers to sun bathe there also was a bar which served food. Also on board was two more bars a duty free shop, a casino, beauty salon, restaurant and a cinema.

Rooms and maids

Our cabin was the best cabin you could have because we got upgraded when booking but it was very small there was only enough room for two single beds and a small dresser and the bathroom was very small as well there was barely enough room to shower we were talking to another couple in a standard room and they said that there room had the same as ours so I wouldn't recommend anyone paying for a superior cabin. We didn't spend much time in our cabin because there were activities on board and you are in Egypt all day as well and there was enough room for comfort. The maids had the room spotless when we arrived; they also cleaned the room when we were in Egypt so they didn't disturb us and made us a swan out of towels which was nice.

Food

We ate at the pool bar the first day and had burgers and chip but the food was just average the food in the restaurant which we got in the price of our cruise was also just average there was many people complain but I found the food eatable but not the best. I've heard that some people got food poisoning but that may have just been a rumour because I was fine and my boyfriend was fine. Although the food was free the drinks weren't unless you had an all inclusive card which cost around 70 Euros each on top of the main price. Drinks cost around 2.30 euro a pint and around 3.50 euro a cocktail so it wasn't that expensive.

Services

Reception- the reception is open 24 hours a day so if you want a wakeup call, cabin changes, recording lost and found property, refrigergerating your medicine, lending table games, adaptors and hairdryers etc..

Beauty salon- I never used the salon but there are a range of treatments and there were offers on your first day of the cruise. The opening hours were 16.00-21.00

Duty free shop-there is lots of souvenirs and perfumes and sweets and they have got some offers on board. The opening hours were 15.30-23.59

Casino- the casino was lots of fun there was blackjack, roulette and slot machines I went here the both nights I was on board and ended up losing 10 Euros but it was lots of fun.

Photo gallery- the photo gallery was only opened on the last day and you can purchase your photos from the ship and Cairo they range from 7.50 Euros to 12 Euros depending if you want a frame. None of the staff pressurize you into buying any of the photos you can just choose which ones if any that you want.
Bars- there are several bars on the ship opening mainly all day from early too late.

Cruise office-cruise desk opening 19.00-20.00 there is information on Egypt

Overall

I would highly recommend using Louis Cruise Liners they were comfortable and the staff was very friendly and helpful.

Summary: while on holiday,take a holiday