I traveled to Egypt in October 2026 with a group celebrating our host’s 60th birthday. While there were memorable moments, the planning, communication, and handling of costs fell short of expectations and caused unnecessary stress for our host, guests, travel representative, and local tour guide. Problems began upon arrival. About 10-12 of us landed in Cairo at 1:30 a.m., but hotel check-in was not scheduled until 4:00 p.m. With a photo shoot planned that morning, our host paid out-of-pocket (nonrefundable) for rooms at another hotel so guests could rest and freshen up. Craig addressed early-arrival accommodations only after the host had paid for rooms at another hotel. There were also changes made without our host’s approval or advance notice. We expected flights on EgyptAir but were booked on Air Cairo. Our host booked Solaris I for the Nile cruise, but we boarded Princess Sarah. We later learned that the ship change had been made in September 2025 without informing the host to get her consent. The cruise accommodations were adequate, but our ship lacked the nicer amenities and promised balconies of the Solaris I. These substitutions left us questioning whether any differences in cost should have been explained and accounted for. Another major concern was the expectation that we give the local tour guide $200 each before the tour began. The payment had been communicated two-weeks before departure, many guests remained unclear about what it covered and uncomfortable paying upfront. Our concern was that the $200 per person described as “gratuities” appeared to be intended to cover payments for the tour guide’s services and the employees supporting our trip. We understood that Craig was supposed to pay the guide in advance so he could pay his staff. Instead, we felt pressured to cover those obligations through an upfront payment labeled as tips. We cannot confirm the financial agreement between the agency and the guide, but the lack of transparency left us feeling that costs we believed were included in our trip price were being passed on to us. Wesley, the travel representative, did an amazing job supporting our group and navigating problems he HAD NOT created. He deserves recognition and should not be faulted for the agency’s planning and communication failures. In my view, responsibility rests with the Craig who was responsible for the bookings, payment arrangements, and communication with our host. My concerns are with the Craig's organization, transparency, and accountability. Our host should have been able to enjoy her milestone birthday without repeatedly covering unexpected expenses or helping resolve the agency’s payment issues. We expected approved bookings to be honored, changes and costs to be clearly explained, and arrangements with local providers to be settled without placing financial pressure on travelers or staff. This added to the pressure surrounding the payment and placed both guests and the representative in an uncomfortable position. I found this deeply unprofessional. Near the end of the trip, guests ultimately gave the guide tip money, but I cannot confirm how much each person contributed. If booking with The Travel Junkees, I strongly suggest that you personally check your reservations, ensure that any agreed upon changes are in writing and ask for a breakdown of expenses well before the start of your trip.

Our trip to Egypt should have been a memorable experience for all the right reasons. Unfortunately, poor communication, several last-minute changes, and a lack of transparency from Craig at The Travel Junkees created unnecessary stress. Roughly less than two weeks before departure, for a trip that had been planned for over a year, we were asked to pay an additional $200 per person for what Craig described as a customary/union fee, with no written documentation or explanation. Not everyone received the same communication. Roughly one month before departure, Craig informed us that he would no longer accompany the group as originally planned. Wesley was brought in as his replacement with leaving him to manage a trip that had been planned for over a year. Another major concern was the lack of communication regarding our Nile cruise ship change. Craig never informed us that our original cruise ship had been changed. We discovered this information the day we actually boarded the ship. A change of this significance should have been communicated to paying clients well in advance, not left for us to discover upon arrival. Additionally, we were not informed beforehand that the cruise staff would collect and hold our passports until the following day. While we understand this may be customary for Nile cruises, it is important that travel organizers communicate these procedures to their clients in advance. Having our passports collected without prior notice was unexpected and concerning. Something as important as surrendering your passport, even temporarily, should never come as a surprise when traveling internationally. I want to be VERY clear: Wesley did an AMAZING job with the information and resources he was given. Despite stepping into this role on short notice, he was professional, accommodating, and worked hard to make the experience enjoyable. He should not be held responsible for the lack of information, planning, or communication that occurred before he became involved. He deserves recognition, not criticism. Craig, however, was the primary point of failure for this trip. As the original organizer/owner, he was responsible for communicating expectations, providing accurate information, and ensuring proper coordination. In my experience, those responsibilities were not adequately fulfilled. Egypt itself was an incredible destination, and I am grateful for the memories made. However, I cannot overlook the organizational failures. For the amount of money invested and the length of time this trip was planned, we deserved better communication, transparency, and accountability.

Craig's trips are always meticulously curated and planned, ensuring that we're where we're supposed to be when we're supposed to be there. Egypt was no exception. Can't wait until Japan next year!!!!!

I had an amazing time with these travelers. Getting from one place to another was handled swiftly and efficiently.

Had an absolute amazing time! Wonderful people, top shelf accommodations, and smooth transitions. Very grateful to Craig and The Travel Junkies!!!