An LGBTQ+ cruise chartered by Atlantis Events has been denied entry into Egyptian waters, marking the second time in a week the Scarlet Lady has been blocked from a port. The vessel, operated by Virgin Voyages, was originally scheduled to visit Alexandria before being turned away, forcing organizers to reroute the 2,000 passengers to Crete and Montenegro, according to Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell.
Timeline of Denied Port Entries
The incident in Egypt follows a similar rejection in Turkey. Turkish authorities barred the ship from docking, citing that the charter group was known for “behaviours that do not align with the structure of our society and our moral values,” according to a public statement. The government added that the visit had “sparked significant public concern.”
Atlantis Events has operated cruises to Turkey 13 times over the past 25 years without issue, according to Campbell. He described the decision as “stunning,” noting that even direct engagement with the U.S. embassy in Turkey failed to reverse the ban. The Egypt rejection occurred with little notice; passengers were informed via a note under their cabin doors on Thursday morning after the ship had already prepared for the stop.
Randy Slovacek, a passenger currently on the Scarlet Lady, noted on his blog that in the company’s 36-year history, Atlantis had never had a ship denied entry to dock.
Shifting International Travel Trends
Kyle Olsen, owner of the LGBTQ+ tour company Hermes Holidays, stated he believes the Turkish ban emboldened the Egyptian government to follow suit. Olsen expressed concern that other nations might adopt similar restrictions, warning that rights for LGBTQ+ individuals are being challenged globally as "successive governments are falling to rightwing groups."
Despite these diplomatic roadblocks, travel operators are adjusting their itineraries. The Scarlet Lady is currently set to dock in Chania, Crete, on Friday and Montenegro on Sunday. While the loss of the Egypt stop frustrated many passengers who had booked private excursions to see the pyramids, the cruise continues its 10-day voyage from Athens to Venice.
Impact on Passenger Experience
The cruise features high-profile entertainment, including Broadway performer Patti LuPone. LuPone addressed the situation on Instagram, expressing her frustration with the bans. “A ship – a magnificent ship – full of gay men. And me. Denied entry to Turkey simply because of who is onboard,” she wrote. She confirmed she will continue to perform for the passengers for the remainder of the trip.
Olsen emphasized that while government policies are shifting, the local populations in these regions remain welcoming. “It’s important to note that the views of the government are not necessarily reflective of the views of the peoples of those countries,” Olsen said. “We’ve been to Turkey and Egypt many times in the past and have found the people very warm, friendly and engaging.”
Travelers on specialized or chartered cruises should monitor official travel advisories and check with their tour operators regarding “guaranteed” port calls, as geopolitical shifts can impact maritime access on short notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Scarlet Lady denied entry to Egypt?
The Egyptian government did not provide an official reason for the decision, though it followed a similar ban in Turkey earlier in the same week.
What happens to the passengers when a port is skipped?
When a port is denied, cruise operators like Virgin Voyages and Atlantis Events work to identify alternative ports of call. In this instance, the ship was rerouted to Crete and Montenegro.
Is this a common occurrence for LGBTQ+ cruises?
According to Randy Slovacek, in the company’s 36-year history, Atlantis had never had a ship denied entry to dock, making the back-to-back rejections in Turkey and Egypt an unprecedented event for the organizer.
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