Suez

Port Ibrahim has berths for passenger vessels and general cargo, with facilities for livestock vessels and tankers. Passenger ships and vessels transiting the Suez Canal use Port Tewfik. Taxis are available.

At the Southern tip of the Suez Canal, Suez (el-Suweis) has served as a commercial port since the 7th century. Pilgrimages to Mecca and the spice trade brought prosperity in the Middle Ages. It became a naval base in the 15th century; when the Suez Canal opened in 1869, its development as a modern city was assured.

One of Egypt's largest ports today, Suez lies by the scenic Ataga Hills (Jebel Ataga), about 134 kilometers (83 miles) from Cairo and 88 kilometers (55 miles) from Ismailia. The city offers excellent views of the Red Sea and Sinai, as well as an interesting vantage point for ships passing through the Canal.

A stroll along the Corniche is well worth it for views of huge ships lining up to transit the Canal towards the other side of the world.

Port Suez has few attractions. The pretty white-stone Hamza Mosque, illuminated at night, is a highlight, as is the home of late Anwar Sadat. Dating to the 19th century, the Convent of the Good Chapel Sisters is a Catholic convent and perhaps Port Suez area’s only Christian historical site.

The Suez Canal Port is important because it links the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. A Suez Canal Cruise Port advantage is easy access to all of Egypt's major attractions. The climate is dry and warm, and Suez Canal cruises usually include every major Red Sea attraction, including Cairo and even the Sinai area. At the Suez Port cruise terminal, taxis are available; tour buses are another option, particularly for passengers going to Cairo.

The journey from Suez to Cairo lasts about one and a half hours. There are two full-day tours to choose from. First-time visitors should take the 'must' trip to the Museum of Antiquities and the Pyramids at Giza. A second option, 'Cairo and Beyond', visits the tombs at Memphis and Saqqara; at Memphis you will find the gigantic statue of Ramses II. This tour also includes Cairo’s vast, colorful Khan el-Khalili Bazaar.

Each bus on every tour has armed security, and police escorts are often close to the bus caravan.

Important: Many companies provide excursions into Egypt and are generally reliable. Your ship will only wait for late customers who booked the ship's excursions, however. Carry a cell phone and the ship's telephone number just in case!

Suez restaurants are largely cheap and simple, though their menus can be much more impressive than the joint’s appearance. Seafood here can be very good.

Egyptian cooking brings together many of Middle Eastern cuisine’s best traditions. Specialties include humus (chickpeas), foul (bean dishes), kebabs and roast pigeon. Though Egypt is a Muslim country, good restaurants and café-style bars serve alcohol.

Euro and US dollars are happily accepted in all souvenirs shops.

The language is Arab.

Internet facilities certainly exist...but they have arab keyboards!

In arabic, Sahara means desert, so do not talk about the Sahara desert!