Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie announced, Tuesday, November 10, 2026, that the Suez Canal Yacht Marina in Ismailia has received passengers aboard the cruise ship ASTORIA GRANDE during its voyage to several Egyptian ports, as part of the authority’s efforts to promote maritime tourism.
In a statement, the authority said the visit marks the cruise ship’s first stop and berthing in Ismailia. The vessel transited the Suez Canal in the early hours of the day as part of the northbound convoy.
The ship is 193 meters long, 27.6 meters wide, has a draft of six meters and can accommodate up to 1,300 passengers. The visit is significant as the marina is being used for the first time as a tourist berth in Ismailia, providing a facility for receiving visitors and completing the necessary procedures in coordination with all relevant authorities.
Rabie said the Suez Canal Authority is seeking to strengthen the canal’s position as a key hub for maritime tourism and logistics services by developing its yacht marinas, equipping waiting areas and providing the infrastructure needed to berth cruise ships, while coordinating with the relevant authorities to facilitate procedures.
He added that the Suez Canal Yacht Marina represents a promising addition to the authority’s efforts to promote maritime and yacht tourism in the region. It offers an integrated package of services designed to boost tourism through organized domestic tour programs in Ismailia and outbound excursions to various governorates across Egypt.
The ship is scheduled to remain in Ismailia for 24 hours. During the stop, 335 tourists will visit local attractions, including the Suez Canal Museum, Ismailia Gardens, Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque and the Evangelical Church, among other landmarks.
Another 327 tourists will take part in an organized tour of Cairo, visiting major attractions including the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Giza Pyramids, Khan el-Khalili bazaar and Al-Muizz Street, as well as taking a Nile cruise.
Rabie said the ship’s itinerary includes several Egyptian ports. Its next stop will be Sharm El Sheikh, followed by Aqaba in Jordan and then Hurghada, before it transits the Suez Canal again on its return journey.
