Egypt – The Port of Alexandria welcomes the cruise ship “Aroya” on a new visit, as part of its maiden voyages for the 2026 cruise season
As part of the Egyptian state’s efforts to support and revitalize tourism, and in line with the directives of Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport, the Alexandria Port Authority received the Saudi cruise ship “Aroya” on Monday, October 26, 2026. The vessel arrived with 1,102 tourists and 1,035 crew members—totaling 2,137 individuals—as part of its Mediterranean cruise itinerary. This visit reflects the successful collaboration between the relevant Egyptian authorities and “Cruise Saudi,” while underscoring the significance of the Port of Alexandria as a key destination for major cruise ships.
This visit comes against the backdrop of growing cruise tourism across the Mediterranean—a trend that offers opportunities to bolster tourism and economic activity. It further strengthens the position of the Port of Alexandria as a hub for passenger arrivals and departures, while supporting the “home port” model for cruise voyages, which contributes to increasing the economic returns generated by maritime tourism.
The arrival of the vessel and the handling of passenger movement were managed through coordination between the Alexandria Port Authority and the relevant authorities, with all necessary facilities provided to ensure smooth procedures and the safety of maritime navigation. Furthermore, the Authority supplied technical and operational support to the vessel—utilizing tugboats and pilot boats—while providing continuous monitoring from the radar-equipped pilotage tower, in full compliance with safety and operational efficiency standards.
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Port of Alexandria hosted a launch ceremony for the 2026 Mediterranean cruise season of the vessel “Aroya.”
The event was attended by a large number of officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Transport, the Governor of Alexandria, the maritime transport and logistics sector, and the Alexandria Port Authority. Also in attendance were the ambassadors of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Türkiye to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Turkish Consul General in Alexandria, representatives from the company “Cruise Saudi,” and various stakeholders from the tourism sector.
The event underscored the significance of the vessel “Aroya” as a distinctive Arab initiative in the cruise tourism sector, highlighting its role in strengthening tourism connectivity between ports in the region. It also reflected the high level of cooperation and coordination among the relevant Egyptian authorities, Cruise Saudi, and the shipping agency Rhapsody—a collaboration that has been instrumental in the successful operation of the vessel and the facilitation of its voyages.
During the event, company officials commended the support provided to the vessel at the Port of Alexandria and announced plans to expand this tourism model by introducing a new ship to the cruise fleet in the near future, thereby fostering further growth for cruise tourism in the region.
The event included an introductory tour of the massive vessel, showcasing its hospitality and leisure facilities, as well as the services offered to passengers—all of which highlight its capacity to provide a comprehensive tourism experience tailored to a diverse range of travelers.
The continued voyages of “Aroya” to the Port of Alexandria underscore the significance of the partnership between Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting maritime tourism. Furthermore, it highlights the role of the Alexandria Port Authority in providing the necessary services and facilities to accommodate cruise ships, thereby strengthening the port’s position on the Mediterranean cruise tourism map—a contribution that bolsters inbound tourism and fosters the development of the national economy.
Source : Alexandria Port Authority
