Ismailia welcomes its first cruise ship as the Suez Canal Yacht Marina opens to tourists
Hundreds of passengers from the Astoria Grande toured Ismailia and Cairo during a 24-hour stop, part of a push for maritime tourism on the canal.
Ismailia — The Suez Canal Yacht Marina in Ismailia has received its first cruise ship, the Astoria Grande, the Suez Canal Authority said on Tuesday, 10 November. It is the first time the marina has been used as a tourist berth in the city.
The ship, 193 metres long and able to carry up to 1,300 passengers, joined the northbound convoy through the canal in the early hours before berthing in Ismailia for 24 hours, Egypt Independent reported.
During the stop, 335 passengers visited local sights including the Suez Canal Museum, the Ismailia gardens, the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque and the Evangelical Church. Another 327 took an organised trip to Cairo, with visits to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Giza pyramids, Khan el-Khalili bazaar and Al-Muizz Street, and a Nile cruise.
Authority chairman Osama Rabie said the canal is developing its yacht marinas, waiting areas and berths for cruise ships to strengthen its role as a hub for maritime tourism and logistics. The marina offers tours within Ismailia and excursions to other governorates.
The Astoria Grande's next stops are Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba in Jordan and Hurghada, before it passes back through the canal.
Source: Egypt Independent, 10 November 2026.
