Against the backdrop of shifting currents in the Middle East, Alexandria Port is experiencing a renaissance. Its quays are once again alive with the grandeur of ocean liners, reaffirming the city’s stature as one of the Mediterranean’s most captivating cruise destinations.
This flourishing activity forms part of a strategic drive by Egypt’s government to revitalize cruise calls, aligning closely with the political leadership’s vision to increase the frequency of international calls to the nation’s ports. The result is a welcome surge in maritime arrivals — a testament to both resilience and ambition.
A Cruise Terminal Designed for the Future
Alexandria boasts a fully integrated cruise terminal, equipped with cutting‑edge facilities designed to offer a seamless arrival. Its four maritime berths stretch an impressive 820 meters, with depths of up to 11 meters — ample to accommodate four large cruise ships simultaneously.
Behind the scenes, port management has streamlined procedures to ensure visitors disembark with ease, processing formalities in record time. It is an operation engineered with precision, reflecting the city’s commitment to efficiency and hospitality.
Beyond the Berth: An Immersive Welcome
The port’s role extends far beyond the logistics of docking. Visitors are ushered into an integrated cultural experience, complete with curated itineraries to Alexandria’s most treasured archaeological and architectural landmarks. From Greco‑Roman relics to Belle Époque façades, the city’s history unfolds as vividly as the Mediterranean light that bathes its streets.
To amplify this sense of arrival, special events are staged quayside, and carefully chosen souvenir gifts are presented to guests — a gesture steeped in Egyptian warmth.
Security is uncompromising, with vessels monitored from the moment they appear on the radar and escorted into berth under the highest safety standards.
The Season of the Giants
In recent months, the port has welcomed an array of majestic vessels, each a floating world in its own right.
Among them was the AROYA, sailing in from the Turkish port of Kaş on her third scheduled call. With 4,620 souls aboard — including 3,200 eager tourists and 1,420 crew — she was met at the quay by senior government officials ensuring every formality was handled with precision and speed.
Hot on her wake came the MS Oosterdam, gliding into harbor with 2,888 passengers, of whom 2,105 were visitors and 783 made up her dedicated crew.
The MS Norwegian Viva made a triumphant third visit during May, carrying an impressive 4,782 passengers, her gleaming decks alive with anticipation for the city’s cultural treasures.
And from the luxury end of the spectrum, the Seven Seas Grandeur brought 1,269 discerning Cruisers to sample Alexandria’s famed hospitality, her arrival adding a final note of refinement to a season already marked by maritime splendor.
Each docking is meticulously choreographed, with delegations of senior officials often present to oversee smooth disembarkation and to extend a formal welcome — reinforcing Alexandria’s reputation for gracious reception.
A Port of Strategic Significance
In a region where history and modernity are in constant dialogue, Alexandria Port stands as a living emblem of both — a place where the echoes of Cleopatra’s harbour meet the sleek lines of twenty‑first‑century cruise ships.
The renewed interest shown by leading international cruise lines underscores Alexandria Port’s standing as a premier Mediterranean hub. Its revival not only enriches Egypt’s tourism economy but also strengthens the nation’s presence on the global maritime map.
