Roughly 1,900 passengers aboard the cruise ship Scarlet Lady found their Mediterranean voyage disrupted this month after authorities in both Turkey and Egypt refused to allow the vessel to dock at scheduled ports. Atlantis Events, which operates what it describes as the world's largest LGBT-focused vacation cruises, had planned stops in Kusadasi, Turkey, on July 7 and Alexandria, Egypt, as part of an "Athens to Venice" itinerary.
Turkish officials declined permission for the ship to dock, telling local media that the cruise was organized by groups whose "behaviors do not align with the structure of our society." Egyptian authorities withdrew docking permission approximately four hours before the ship's scheduled arrival in Alexandria. Unlike Turkey, Egyptian officials did not publicly explain their decision.
The Scarlet Lady subsequently altered its route and continued to Venice without visiting either country. Passengers reported that crew members worked to accommodate the changes and maintain the planned entertainment schedule aboard the vessel.
What the Right Is Saying
Some conservative commentators and foreign policy observers argued that sovereign nations have the right to set their own entry policies without external pressure, regardless of whether travelers agree with those rules. They noted that Turkey and Egypt do not criminalize private same-sex activity between consenting adults but have chosen not to officially recognize same-sex relationships or promote what they consider alternative lifestyles.
Others pointed out that American tourists should expect to research local laws and cultural norms when visiting countries with different policies regarding LGBT rights, just as travelers inform themselves about other legal differences between nations. Some suggested the cruise operator could have anticipated potential complications given the political climate in those regions.
Turkey's government under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken a stricter stance toward public LGBT expression over the past decade compared to earlier periods of relative openness. Egyptian authorities similarly maintain conservative enforcement policies regarding public displays of same-sex partnership, though both countries permit private same-sex conduct between consenting adults.
What the Left Is Saying
LGBT rights advocates said the incident reflects a broader pattern of discrimination against queer travelers in certain international destinations, and some called on the U.S. government to address such denials through diplomatic channels. Rich Campbell, CEO of Atlantis Events, said the company had successfully operated similar itineraries in previous years without incident.
"We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue," Campbell wrote in a statement to passengers. "So we were surprised by this unfortunate decision." He described it as the first time in company history that one of its cruises had been denied entry for political reasons rather than weather or operational concerns.
Broadway performer Patti LuPone, who was aboard to provide entertainment, said she was "shocked" by the decisions. "A ship — a magnificent ship — full of gay men. And me. Denied entry to Turkey simply because of who is on board," she wrote on social media. "I am furious, but I am sailing."
Kyle Olsen, owner of the LGBT travel agency Hermes Holidays, said he worries the precedent set by Turkey's ban could encourage other nations to follow suit. "I worry that other countries are going to be emboldened in turn to ban gay cruises from their ports as well," Olsen told The New York Times.
What the Numbers Show
Atlantis Events operates multiple large-scale cruise ships annually, with vessels typically carrying between 1,500 and 2,600 passengers per voyage. The company reports that it has organized more than 100 cruises since its founding in 1989 without prior political denials of port access.
Turkey receives approximately 50 million international visitors per year, making it one of the world's most visited travel destinations. Egypt welcomes roughly 15 million tourists annually. Neither country publishes data on how often cruise ships are denied entry or the reasons for such decisions.
Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in either Turkey or Egypt. Turkey decriminalized homosexuality between adults in 1858 and has no explicit criminal prohibition, though authorities have banned Pride marches and other public LGBT events in recent years under various legal justifications. Egypt does not explicitly criminalize private same-sex conduct but has used morality-related laws to prosecute individuals.
The Bottom Line
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between international tourism by LGBT travelers and countries with policies that do not officially affirm same-sex relationships. For cruise operators, port access depends on the approval of national authorities in each destination, a dynamic that can shift based on political considerations beyond commercial factors.
Atlantis Events passengers completed their voyage to Venice without visiting Turkey or Egypt as originally planned. The company has not announced whether it will continue offering Mediterranean itineraries that include those ports in future seasons. Travelers booking international trips that may pass through countries with different legal and cultural frameworks regarding LGBT rights may wish to research entry requirements and local policies before booking.
The episode adds to ongoing debates about how governments, businesses, and individuals should navigate differing standards on human rights across national borders.