The short answer
Yes, cruise ships can go through the Suez Canal, and many have done so for years, including on repositioning voyages and world cruises. Whether they currently do is a separate question. Since attacks on shipping in and around the Red Sea began, many cruise lines have avoided the route, and itineraries that once passed through the canal have been rerouted or cancelled.
The situation can change quickly, so check current advisories and your cruise line’s latest itinerary information before booking anything that depends on a Suez transit.
How the canal works
The Suez Canal in Egypt links the Mediterranean Sea in the north with the Red Sea in the south, giving a much shorter route between Europe and Asia than sailing around Africa. It is about 120 miles (roughly 193 km) long and opened in 1869.
Unlike the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal has no locks, because the two seas are at essentially the same level. Ships simply sail through a channel, with bypass sections that let traffic in opposite directions pass each other. Compared with the Panama Canal, there is less to see in terms of engineering, and the scenery is mainly desert.
For comparison, our pillar article explains how cruise ships go through the Panama Canal.
Cruise ships and the Suez today
Most cruise ships, like other commercial vessels, have been avoiding the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait at its southern end because of attacks and continuing safety concerns. Some lines have chosen to send ships around the southern tip of Africa instead, which adds time and fuel.
Reports in spring 2026 described a few cruise ships making the transit after leaving the Persian Gulf, including MSC Euribia and two Celestyal ships, with the transits made to speed their return to service in the Mediterranean and northern Europe. Another line chose the longer route around South Africa. The Saudi-owned ship Aroya has also been reported making transits, including with passengers in 2025.
The Suez Canal Authority has said that between 2021 and 2024, 69 cruise ships carrying around 38,000 passengers used the canal, and it has expressed interest in attracting them back. Overall canal traffic has been well below the levels seen before the Red Sea disruption.
Which cruises still use it
Cruises that traditionally crossed the Suez Canal included:
- World cruises, which often pass between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.
- Repositioning voyages between Europe and Asia or the Middle East.
- Red Sea and Egypt itineraries that call at ports on either side.
Many of these have been rerouted, shortened or replaced. If a listing includes the canal, look at the itinerary details and the cruise line’s statements about routing and the possibility of changes.
Do ships pay to cross?
Yes. All vessels pay to transit the Suez Canal, and tolls are based on the size of the vessel. The Canal Authority publishes its tariff.
Naval vessels
Warships, including U.S. Navy vessels, have transited the canal under arrangements with Egypt. This is a separate matter from commercial cruises, and security conditions affect naval transits as well.
Suez compared with the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal uses locks to lift ships over a mountainous isthmus, and cruise ships go through on dedicated sailings. The Suez Canal is a sea-level channel in a different part of the world. Cruise travelers more often choose a Panama Canal cruise for the experience itself; the Suez is usually part of a larger voyage. If you want a canal-focused cruise, start with full vs partial Panama Canal transit.
Checking before you book
- Ask the cruise line how the ship will be routed and what happens if the Suez is not safe.
- Read government travel advisories for Egypt and the Red Sea region.
- Confirm cancellation and rerouting policies.
- Consider travel insurance, and read what it excludes.