West Port Said Port received the cruise ship Celestyal Journey on Monday, carrying 435 tourists from various countries and 465 crew members, the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) said in a statement. The vessel arrived from Türkiye as part of one-day tourism trips. Owned by Cruises Australia, the 220-metre ship was built in 1994 and refurbished in 2023 at a cost of $20 million. It has nine decks, 630 cabins, and a capacity of over 1,200 passengers. Port authorities coordinated with relevant agencies to facilitate the ship's entry and passenger procedures. Crew members were offered guided tours in Port Said before the ship departs in the evening for Sharm El-Sheikh Port to continue its itinerary. This visit marks the third cruise ship call at West Port Said in November 2025. Earlier in the month, the MSC Armonia arrived on two trips carrying a total of 5,400 passengers, bringing the month's total to over 6,300 tourists. The surge in cruise arrivals reflects renewed maritime tourism at SCZONE ports, which stretches along the Mediterranean and Red Seas, highlighting the region's readiness to host cruise ships and provide full logistical services. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
