LGBTQ+ Cruise Rerouted After Turkey, Egypt Deny Port Access; South Florida Passenger Speaks Out
Passengers were told the ship would seek an alternative port after Egyptian authorities denied entry, following earlier Turkish port blocks over the cruise’s LGBTQ+ charter.
- On Thursday, Egyptian authorities denied entry to the Scarlet Lady, a Virgin Voyages-owned ship chartered by Atlantis Events, just hours before it was scheduled to dock in Alexandria.
- Turkish authorities previously blocked the cruise from docking in Istanbul and Kuşadası last week, citing "moral standards" and claiming the group's behavior conflicted with their society's values.
- The ship carries 1,900 passengers, including Broadway performer Patti LuPone, while Atlantis Events CEO Richard Campbell called the bans unprecedented in the company's 36-year history.
- Despite the disruptions, passenger Joshua New described the onboard atmosphere as resilient, with the vessel now rerouted to visit Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia before arriving in Trieste, Italy, on July 15.
- While homosexuality remains legal in Turkey and Egypt, both nations have increasingly targeted the LGBTQ+ community, prompting international conversation about travel safety and the rise of restrictive government policies.
14 Articles
14 Articles
2SLGBTQ+ cruise ship blocked by Egypt days after Turkey denied it entry
The Scarlet Lady cruise ship, which is currently chartered by 2SLGBTQ+ travel company Atlantis Events, has changed its itinerary for the second time this week, after first Turkey and now Egypt denied it entry to their ports.
Egypt turns away cruise ship with mostly gay men after Turkey blocked same voyage from docking
The Virgin Voyages ship Scarlet Lady, chartered by Atlantis Events, was reportedly denied entry into Egyptian waters after Turkish authorities barred it days earlier.
Egypt follows Turkey’s lead & bars Atlantis cruise ship from docking
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Atlantis Events (@atlantisevents) As we reported last week, Turkey recently declined permission to a gay cruise operated by Atlantis to dock at two ports in the country. The reason? Officials said Atlantis is “known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values.” The Athens to Venice 10-day cruise set sail on Sunday (July 5). The vessel is the Scarlet Lady, owned by th…
Gay cruise blocked from entering Egypt days after being banned from Turkey
A gay cruise that was previously blocked from entering Turkey has now been banned from Egypt. Early on Thursday, just hours before it was scheduled to dock in Alexandria, passengers aboard the Scarlet Lady, a Virgin Voyages-owned ship chartered by American LGBTQ+ travel company Atlantis Events, were informed that the vessel had been banned from Egyptian waters. Related “Furious” Patti LuPone speaks out after Turkey blocks gay cruise from docki…
LGBTQ+ cruise rerouted after Turkey, Egypt deny port access; South Florida passenger speaks out
Passengers aboard an LGBTQ+-focused cruise are reacting after two countries refused to allow the ship to dock, forcing itinerary changes and sparking an international conversation about LGBTQ+ rights and travel.
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