Long day in Luxor yesterday - FANTASTIC! Took "Ancient Luxor" which combined Luxor Temple and Valley of the Kings; we are really pleased with our choice; both were fantastic. We know it just whetted the appetite and we need to take one of Ngaire's Egypt trips to be fully satisfied.

Came back around 8:30 and went to Compass Rose for a great quick meal. It is nice that they can serve a two course meal in 30 minutes when you are hungry and tired.

Decided to forego snorkeling excursion today; glad we did when we got up to a very windy day. Tomorrow Aqaba and Wadi Rum followed by four glorious sea days.

Some more observations about the ship:

Internet decent except in cabin; keeping door ajar does help a bit. Ship refurb left intact Radisson lyre on both glass elevators and CD's door; I wonder how many guests really remember why they are there. La Verandah a bit of a zoo; opening up serving lines did not improve things that much; might have made worse as only one location for ordering eggs. Observation lounge update pretty bad; no more long couches; just tables for four with heavy chairs. They added an extremely large dance floor but no place for a group to meet. Compass Rose absolutely fantastic; much quieter than Explorer; much better design.

Overall, ship is fantastic!

More later . . .