Alexandria strengthens cruise ambitions with calls by Aroya and Seven Seas Grandeur

Alexandria Port in Egypt welcomed more than 4,300 passengers and crew across two cruise calls in June.

The arrivals of Aroya and Seven Seas Grandeur also marked the Egyptian port’s return to turnaround operations and further expansion into homeporting.

Alexandria Port has continued its push to establish itself as a major cruise destination in the Eastern Mediterranean after welcoming the cruise ships Aroya and Seven Seas Grandeur in June.

The two calls brought a combined total of 4,363 passengers and crew to the Egyptian port and highlighted Alexandria’s growing role not only as a port of call but increasingly as a turnaround and homeport destination.

Seven Seas Grandeur arrived at Alexandria’s passenger terminal on June 7th carrying 1,246 people, including 701 passengers and 545 crew members. Operated by shipping agent Dominion, the vessel arrived from Kusadasi, Turkey, before departing for Limassol, Cyprus, on June 8th.

Passengers disembarked to participate in sightseeing programmes and visits to Alexandria’s historical and cultural attractions.

The arrival was coordinated by the Alexandria Port Authority in conjunction with agencies from the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Tourism, Egyptian Tourism Authority, Alexandria Governorate, and the Alexandria Port Police Department.

A few days later, on June 11th, the Saudi Arabian cruise ship Aroya arrived from Kaş, Turkey, carrying a total of 3,117 people, comprising 2,063 passengers and 1,054 crew members.

The call represented a significant operational milestone for Alexandria Port, with 274 Egyptian passengers embarking on the vessel for a seven-day cruise to Turkish ports including Istanbul, Marmaris, Bodrum, and Kaş.

The embarkation marked the resumption of turnaround operations at Alexandria, where passengers both begin and end their voyages at the port rather than simply visiting during a port call.

Turnaround operations are generally regarded as more economically significant than transit calls because passengers often require accommodation, transportation, shopping, and other tourism services before and after their cruises.

Alexandria is expected to further enhance its role in the cruise sector later this season when it hosts two Aroya sailings as a homeport. During these voyages, the port will serve as both the starting and ending point of the cruises, with passengers embarking and disembarking directly in Alexandria.

According to the Alexandria Port Authority, Aroya is scheduled to call at Alexandria on 10 occasions during the current season. Eight of these visits will use the port as a turnaround destination, while two cruises will be fully homeported in the city.

The latest calls build on growing cruise activity at Alexandria in recent months. In May, the port welcomed Crystal Serenity as part of a high-level international event organised by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).