Amidst Increasing Passenger Traffic As part of the integrated efforts of state tourism agencies, and in implementation of the directives of the political leadership to support and revitalize tourism, and the instructions of Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport, the Alexandria Port Authority welcomed the cruise ship “Aroya” this morning Thursday, July 30, 2026, as part of its regular cruise itinerary to the port of Alexandria during the current tourist season. This reflects the continued success of this cruise route and reinforces the port's position on the Mediterranean cruise tourism map. The ship docked at the passenger terminal, arriving from the Turkish port of Kaş with 3,846 passengers on board, including 2,697 tourists and 1,149 crew members. It is scheduled to depart this evening for the port of Istanbul. This voyage saw 160 passengers disembark at the port, while 850 Egyptian passengers boarded, reflecting the continued growth in the operation of Alexandria Port as a turnaround port and confirming the increasing demand from travelers to begin their cruises directly from Alexandria. This development reflects the growing confidence that international cruise companies place in Alexandria Port, not only as a terminal for receiving cruise ships, but also as a port that provides integrated services for passenger transfer, boarding, and departure. It boasts one of the highest operational levels in the cruise industry, providing added value to the tourism and transportation sectors, and stimulating travel and related tourism and economic activities. The ship was received by a number of leaders from the Alexandria Port Authority, in coordination with relevant entities from the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Egyptian Tourism Authority, the Alexandria Governorate, and the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Alexandria Port Police Department. The Alexandria Port Authority facilitated the passengers' arrival and completed all procedures smoothly and efficiently, ensuring the provision of distinguished services according to the highest operational standards. The Alexandria Port Authority ensured the safe entry and exit of the ship, escorting it from arrival to berthing using tugboats and pilot boats, with close monitoring from the radar pilot tower to guarantee the smooth and safe passage of maritime traffic. The continued increase in the number of passengers embarking on their cruises from the port of Alexandria confirms the success of the Ministry of Transport and the Alexandria Port Authority's strategy to develop the cruise tourism system and transform the port into a leading regional hub for passenger ship services. This supports the state's objectives in developing maritime tourism and enhancing Alexandria's position as one of the most important cruise terminals in the Eastern Mediterranean.
