Part 6/9:
The cruise was undeniably busy, with numerous ships docking alongside one another—sometimes four to five deep. Locations like the Valley of the Kings were swamped with visitors, leading to shuffling through tombs rather than truly enjoying the experience. Fortunately, our itinerary managed to visit major sites during less frantic times, averting the worst of the crowds.
Another downside involved the inevitable vendor encounters. Each site led visitors through market stalls, where aggressive vendors persisted in promoting their goods. I found the only efficient strategy was maintaining a steady, non-interested gait while repeating "no."