The Suez Canal Yacht Marina in Ismailia, Egypt, welcomed the cruise ship Astoria Grande on November 10th, marking the first cruise vessel call at the city and the marina’s first operation as a cruise passenger terminal. The visit forms part of the Suez Canal Authority’s efforts to expand maritime tourism and develop new cruise destinations along the canal.
The 193-metre vessel, with a beam of 27.6 metres, a draft of 6 metres and capacity for up to 1,300 passengers, arrived after transiting the Suez Canal in the northbound convoy. Gulf Agency Company Egypt acted as the ship’s local agent.
During its 24-hour stay, 335 passengers were scheduled to participate in excursions around Ismailia, including visits to the Suez Canal Museum, Nimra 6 Gardens, Abu Bakr El-Siddiq Mosque and the local Evangelical Church. Another 327 passengers were assigned to organised excursions to Cairo and Giza, covering the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids, Khan el-Khalili and Al-Muizz Street, as well as a Nile cruise.
The maiden call represents an operational milestone for the marina, which coordinated passenger reception and entry procedures with the relevant government authorities. The Suez Canal Authority is developing its marina facilities, berthing areas and supporting infrastructure to accommodate cruise ships and facilitate shore excursions to Ismailia and other Egyptian destinations.
Following its Ismailia call, Astoria Grande is scheduled to continue to Sharm El-Sheikh, followed by Aqaba in Jordan and Hurghada, before making another transit of the Suez Canal.