Story perspectives

Scarlet Lady Barred in Turkey, Egypt; Rerouted to Crete, Montenegro

7/12/2026

Summary

Virgin Voyages Barred

Turkey and Egypt barred the Virgin Voyages ship Scarlet Lady, forcing the cruise to alter its schedule.
Turkish officials rejected docking in Kusadasi and Istanbul, citing moral standards and family values.
Egyptian authorities withdrew permission for an Alexandria stop at 3:30 a.m. on July 9, causing the ship to turn around.
The revised itinerary added Heraklion, Crete, and Kotor, Montenegro, replacing the canceled Turkey and Egypt ports.

Summary

Industry Leaders Warn

Travel-industry leaders warned that port bans could spark a wave of exclusions for LGBTQ cruises, as the U.S. State Department notes some destinations ban public gatherings supporting gay and lesbian people.
Hermes Holidays owner Kyle Olsen said he will stop recommending Turkey and Egypt, fearing governments may follow.
VACAYA co-founder Randle Roper called the denials “bone-headed” and linked them to a global tide against the community under the U.S. administration.

History

Historical Context

Turkey’s crackdown on LGBTQ visibility began with the 2013 Istanbul Pride that drew nearly 100,000 people, but after the 2015 municipal-court ban—upheld by the European Court of Human Rights and leading to about 2,000 arrests—the state repeatedly barred events, from the 2020 online Pride to the 2024 denial of the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady cruise. The pattern shows a decade-long shift toward moral-order bans.

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Virgin Voyages Barred

Turkey and Egypt barred the Virgin Voyages ship Scarlet Lady, forcing the cruise to alter its schedule.
Turkish officials rejected docking in Kusadasi and Istanbul, citing moral standards and family values.
Egyptian authorities withdrew permission for an Alexandria stop at 3:30 a.m. on July 9, causing the ship to turn around.
The revised itinerary added Heraklion, Crete, and Kotor, Montenegro, replacing the canceled Turkey and Egypt ports.

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