The cruise, which originated in Cyprus, carries 2,654 tourists and 952 crew members of various nationalities, according to a statement by the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone).

The passengers have disembarked to visit various archaeological landmarks in Cairo. 

Meanwhile, a local tour was organized for the crew to discover Port Said landmarks and historical sites, the statement said.

The ship is scheduled to depart from Port Said on Wednesday evening and continue its journey to Alexandria Port.

The Nieuw Statendam cruise ship, owned by Carnival Corporation, is considered one of the most beautiful cruise ships in the world.

The 299-metre-long cruise, built in 2018 at a cost of $520 million, comprises 13 decks and has 1,339 rooms. 

The giant ship offers a wide range of amenities and entertainment facilities, including gyms, social halls, swimming pools, a theatre, a cinema, sports clubs, and shopping areas.

According to the statement, West Port Said and all ports which follow the SCZone ports are equipped to receive all types of cruise ships and offer them comprehensive logistical services.

Bolstering Marine Tourism

Egypt has been implementing an aggressive program to boost marine tourism for visitors who want to enjoy more than 2,400 kilometres of the country’s coasts along the Mediterranean and Red Sea.

Earlier this year, the government extended foreign yacht tourists from one to three months with a swift, 30-minute apply-for-and-receive a visa mechanism available through an online portal.

Tourism is one of Egypt’s main sources of foreign currency. 

In 2023, the number of tourists who visited the country reached a new record high of 14.9 million, surpassing the previous 14.7 million figure registered in 2010.

In the first half of 2024, Egypt attracted a record-breaking 7.1 million tourists, with revenues reaching $6.6 billion, compared to $6.3 billion in the same period in 2023.