HOLY LAND & EGYPT PILGRIMAGE 2024

Discover the Latest Leadership Development Issues

Board this Credit Union Land & River EduCruise to participate in one of the most unique educational programs you have ever experienced! Board this CU EduCruise program to develop your leadership strengths, examine new growth models, and prepare for those seen and unseen forces that may impact your credit union’s future survival and thrival.

Join fellow Credit Union Directors and Committee Members on this amazing 9-day immersive journey. You’ll marvel at many accomplishments of this remarkable civilization. The daunting Great Pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx and the extraordinary temples of Luxor and Karnak are well worth the journey as are the sparkling treasures inside Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, including the fascinating burial items from the opulent tomb of “King Tut.” As you sail down the legendary Nile from Luxor to Aswan on this enthralling tour of Egypt, you’ll also stand in awe at the Kom Ombo Temple, barter for goods at the bustling bazaars, and sway to the rhythmic drums on a relaxing felucca ride down the Nile.

All Sessions are very interactive. Questions, discussion, and exchange of ideas are highly encouraged. Plenty of networking opportunities throughout this educational journey

This CU EduCruise is packed with powerful topics and information, focused around these key strategic areas of concentration:

What’s Ahead for Credit Unions —challenges and opportunities impacting credit unions
Story Telling - the sharing of credit union success stories, and best practices
The 3 Rx’s - recruiting, retaining & reenergizing your board
Strategic Issues for Credit Union Leaders – a discussion of problems, concerns and opportunities for your credit union
The Leadership Challenge - finding & keeping the next generation of Volunteers and Staff
What Credit Union Members and Potential Members Really Want—consumer trends and changing preferences
Why Some Credit Unions Succeed, While Others Fail ... planning your success strategies

Benefits To You & Your Credit Union:

Receive Free Consultation with our on-board industry leader
Participate in several networking opportunities
Review new leadership concepts that can make a difference
Discover how an effective Board/Management Team equals success
Learn from others about their leadership success strategies
Discover how your credit union can thrive in times of change
Create a strategic game-plan for future survival
Find solutions to problems your CU is facing today
Share with other CU volunteers and management staff

Tony Robinson is President & Founder of Credit Union EduCruises, a credit union conference/cruise and training organization located in Birmingham, Alabama.

Tony has presented credit union educational sessions in numerous states across America, and also in 24 countries around the world. His sessions include such topics as Credit Union Leadership, Board/CEO Communication, Creating World Class Member Service, Understanding Why Some Credit Unions Fail, Credit Union Board/Management Succession Planning, and much more. Tony is known for his fast-paced, creative and fun presentation style!

Before founding Credit Union EduCruises, Tony held leadership positions with the CUNA Mutual Group, Tennessee Credit Union League, EPL Software & Data Processing, and two large credit unions. He was also the Founder of Masterful Events, Inc., a credit union training and consulting company.

SHIP INFO

DINING

THE SUN DECK

THE SALON DECK

HOTEL ROOMS

MS Royal Lily

The Mövenpick MS Royal Lily sends you on a trip connecting both land and water. Enjoy luxurious on-board travel while exploring the mysteries of 7,000 years of Egyptian civilization. The Nile is one of the world’s most famous and beautiful rivers. Experience a fascinating way to travel and relax at the same time. This flagship cruiser comprises 56 cabins of approximately 237 sq feet. These come equipped with a Jacuzzi and spacious facilities, ensuring you travel in style. The ship offers a great chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Nile banks and to see the magnificent temples and tombs of the ancient world together with guests’ cabins arranged on the upper decks; with internal walkways. The ship is specifically designed to cruise all year round. The layout allows large cabins, lounge, sun decks, bars, built-in Gym, Restaurant & gift-shop. In keeping such elegant design, experienced crew will be ensuring that guests will feel at home by extending our company’s usual warm welcome with the touch of the Swiss Hospitality.

Day 1: Saturday, November 2 – Arrive Cairo
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Hotel: Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah (or similar)
Meal: Welcome Dinner

Day 2: Sunday, November 3 – Cairo – Excursion to Giza
Cairo guided sightseeing includes a visit to the Egyptian Museum. Then travel to Giza to see the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids. Get up close and personal with The Pyramids of Giza - one of the World’s Seven Wonders. Ponder the enigmatic secrets of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Marvel at the massive monument of Cheops, the most colossal pyramid ever built, with an original height of 496 feet.
Hotel: Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast

Day 3: Monday, November 4 – Fly to Luxor, Cruise the Nile
Fly to Luxor and board you ship for lunch. This afternoon visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. See the stunning monuments of Luxor and Karnak, ancient cities whose combined populations once topped one million. Walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amun Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes for an experience you will treasure for a lifetime.
Cruising: MS Royal Lily (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Tuesday, November 5 – Luxor – Esna - Edfu
Time to wander around at your own pace or perhaps take an optional excursion on the West Bank of the Nile. Luxor is considered the “World’s greatest open-air Museum” where most of the ruins and artifacts at the site have been preserved and they are as still in their original forms. Later sail to Edfu. Tonight enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party.
Cruising: MS Royal Lily (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Wednesday, November 6 – Edfu – Kom – Ombo - Aswan
You will start the day with breakfast as you cruise along the Nile to Kom Ombo and continue to the city of Aswan. Famous for its archaeological sites such as the Philae Temple Complex and the Temple of Isis, Aswan is a vibrant destination that portrays an agreeable mix of ancient and contemporary Egypt. Explore captivating Kom Ombo with a walking tour of its bluff-top twin temples. Gaze at the spellbinding temples dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus. In the evening enjoy a fun-filled Egyptian dinner and Galabeya Party.
Cruising: MS Royal Lily (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Thursday, November 7 – Aswan
In Aswan discover the land of gold that has kept the treasures of the pharaohs for centuries. Sail on a felucca around Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan. The felucca is a traditional Egyptian wooden boat with a canvas sail. Capture the wind to move effortlessly around the botanical sanctuary of Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan – the stately and austere done-topped rose limestone monument and Carrara-marble tomb of the 20th-century religious and political leader. Take part in a Nubian Folklore presentation on board this evening.
Cruising: MS Royal Lily (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Friday, November 8 – Disembarkation
Disembarkation. Free time this afternoon and evening. You may want to take an optional excursion to Abu Simbel - dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, as well as to the deified Ramesses himself. Discover for yourself why Abu Simbel is considered the grandest and most beautiful of the temples commissioned during the reign of Ramesses II, and one of the most beautiful in Egypt.
Hotel: Moevenpick Resort Aswan (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Saturday, November 9 – Aswan - Cairo
Fly to Cairo. Your afternoon is free to explore and enjoy this bustling city. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner at your hotel this evening.
Hotel: Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Sunday, November 10 – Return Home
Your EduCruise ends after breakfast this morning.
Meals: Breakfast
* Hotels and Daily Itinerary are subject to change.

Tour Package Pricing: Based on Double Occupancy
$3,349.00 per person
Ask about Single Occupancy Rates

Not Included:

Airline flights, air-imposed baggage fees, gratuities for airport porters, meals (other than those included in the package); optional excursions that may be offered, and any items of a personal nature. Travel insurance protection is not included. Ask your travel consultant about our reasonable options.

Initial Deposit: $400.00 per person

Final Payment: No later than August 2, 2024

Requirements: A valid US passport is necessary with a minimum validity of 6 months from date of return.

Visa: U.S. citizens must have a visa to enter Egypt. U.S. citizens can obtain a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for a $25.00 USD* fee per person (subject to change)

Cancellation Penalties:

From date of deposit to August 2, 2024 - Initial deposit of $400.00 per person

August 3 – August 30, 2024 - 50% package price cancellation fee

August 31 – October 1, 2024 - 75% package price cancellation fee

October 2, 2024 to 0 days prior to travel - No refunds

Conference Registration Fee & Transfers:

$1,900.00 registration fee for the seminar attendee if paid by credit
$1,700.00 registration fee for the seminar attendee if paid by check
Day of travel arrival / departure Cairo Transfers: $45.00 each direction
Pre/Post Night Transfers: $55.00 each direction

Visa Information:

A visa to Egypt is required for US citizens. If you hold a passport from another country, check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to Egypt. Alternately, a visa service may be able to assist you with this process. Visas can be obtained on tour. The Ground Handler in Egypt will be waiting for guests upon arrival and will hand over a stamp visa to be stuck in each guest’s passport. Guests then proceed through immigration. This is an included service that the Ground Handler provides to passport holders of the US, Canada, New Zealand,

Australia, and Europe. Passport holders of other countries must get the visa from the Egyptian consulate in their country of origin. This visa can only be provided for guests that take the included or purchased transfer from the airport to start hotel on published start date or in conjunction with pre-nights purchased through Globus. Guests are also required to provide flight details. If guests make their own arrangements prior to the start of the tour, they will not be eligible to obtain the visa stamp on arrival and will need to obtain a visa for their entire stay from the Egyptian consulate in their country of origin. Once stamped on the passport the visa is valid for 90 days residence in the country.

* MUST MAKE INITIAL CABIN DEPOSIT IMMEDIATELY!

Two nights hotel accommodations in Cairo at the Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah (or similar) including hotel service charges, taxes and luggage handling for one bag per person
Four-night Nile cruise on M.S. Royal Lily (or similar)
One night hotel at the Moevenpick Resort Aswan (or similar) including hotel service charges, taxes and luggage handling for one bag per person
One final night hotel accommodation in Cairo including hotel service charges, taxes and luggage handling for one bag per person
Inter-Egypt air travel Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo
Air-conditioned motorcoach for transportation and sightseeing
Dining Includes: Daily Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 6 Dinners

Tour Experiences Include:

Cairo: Guided sightseeing includes a visit to the Egyptian Museum.
Giza: See the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids
Luxor: Visit the Karnak Temple and the Luxor Temple
Edfu: Visit the Temple of Horus
Kom Ombo: Walking tour of the temple dedicated to crocodile & falcon gods.
Aswan: Discover the land of gold that has kept the treasures of the pharaohs for centuries. Sail on a felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) around Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan.

Escorted by a professional, local Tour Director

Customized, informative travel documents containing trip details and helpful packing and planning information