Hi Paul
You'll have a great time in Egypt. I went in November. Despite the political troubles there, we weren't affected - other than the fact there weren't nearly as many tourists around as usual, so our group had the Nile cruise boat almost to ourselves, and we were able to enjoy the Egyptian Museum in Cairo without having to push through crowds to see the exhibits.
The staff on our boat were really friendly and helpful, and it was great sailing down the Nile, relaxing in the heat on the top deck watching the fantastic scenery pass quietly by.
The locals will pester you at all the sites, trying to sell you things. Take a tip - DON'T speak to them, not even to politely decline their offer. The second they know they have your attention, they will keep plugging away at you, and they don't take no for an answer. They're not aggressive, but they are extremely persistent. Although it felt very rude, I found it best to completely ignore them - walk past without speaking or making eye contact. Worked okay.
Your guide will give you advice should you be interested in buying whatever they happen to be selling. As they will quote an inflated price, your guide will also let you know what you should expect to pay, so you can haggle.
Traffic in Cairo is an experience - because of congestion it can sometimes take ages to get from A to B, but the sights you'll see through the windows of the coach mean the time passes quickly. The coach is of course air conditioned.
There's an early start most mornings (6am or 7am rise), the first couple of days seemed non-stop but once we joined the boat it was a more relaxing pace.
And yes, there's always an Egyptian party night on the cruise boat. Everyone joins in, and it's great fun.
I wrote a review of the holiday just after my return, you may be able to find it in the Testimonials section of this forum. It should give you a few further pointers as to what to expect.
Best wishes
Dave
