The Alexandria Port Authority, under the leadership of Rear Admiral Ahmed Hawash, facilitated the arrival of the cruise ship Astoria Grande on the morning of Saturday, November 23rd, at 6:30 a.m. This marked the vessel’s third call to Alexandria this year, as part of its itinerary between Turkey and Egypt.
Sailing under the Palau flag and managed locally by Gulf Agency Egypt, the Astoria Grande (formerly known as AIDACara) berthed at Alexandria Port’s passenger terminal with 1,350 passengers onboard. Among them were 911 tourists arriving from Kusadasi (Turkey). After a 2-day stay, the ship departed for Izmir (Turkey) on Monday, November 25th, at 12:00 p.m.
The vessel’s arrival was met with a formal reception involving representatives from the Alexandria Port Authority, the Ministries of Transport and Tourism, the Antiquities Department, the Alexandria Governorate, and the Port Police. Arrival protocols were efficiently managed to ensure passengers could promptly begin their tours of Alexandria’s historic and cultural sites.
Operational support included the deployment of tugboats, pilot boats, and escort vessels to guide the ship safely to the berth, complemented by radar monitoring from the port’s control tower. The arrival was marked by a celebratory atmosphere, featuring folkloric performances and distribution of souvenir gifts for passengers.
This visit aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to enhance its appeal as a cruise destination, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Egyptian government has emphasized the importance of attracting cruise traffic, with special preparations underway for the busy Christmas and New Year season. With Alexandria’s growing prominence, Egyptian ports anticipate a sustained increase in cruise activity.