Full Breakdown
LGBT Cruise Turned Away from Turkey and Egypt
7/20/2026, 1:00:58 AM
Denial of Docking for a Mediterranean LGBT Voyage
A cruise operated by Atlantis Events, carrying roughly 1,900 passengers, was barred from docking in both Turkey and Egypt during its “Athens to Venice” itinerary. The ship, the Scarlet Lady, was scheduled to call at Kusadasi, Turkey, on July 7, but Turkish officials cited that the cruise was organized by groups whose “behaviors do not align with the structure of our society.” After leaving Turkey, the vessel proceeded to Alexandria, Egypt, where authorities withdrew permission to dock about four hours before the planned arrival, offering no public explanation.
Background on LGBT Policies in Turkey and Egypt
Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has pursued a hard-line approach toward LGBT visibility for more than a decade, repeatedly banning Pride marches and other events while maintaining that homosexuality remains legal but same-sex marriage is unrecognized. Egypt similarly does not recognize same-sex marriage and has employed morality laws to target LGBT individuals. Both nations have predominantly Muslim populations, a factor frequently referenced in official rationales.
Official Statements & Responses
Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell asserted that the company had previously docked in both countries without incident, describing the July 7 denial as “the first time in the company’s history that one of its cruises had been denied entry for political reasons.” He noted, “We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue,” and expressed surprise at the decision. Egyptian officials did not issue a public statement explaining the withdrawal of docking permission.
Criticism & Opposition
Patti LuPone, a Broadway legend aboard the cruise, described the Turkish action as “shocking” and “furious,” warning that the denial reflected broader discrimination. Hermes Holidays owner Kyle Olsen warned that Turkey’s ban could embolden other nations to exclude gay cruises, stating his concern about a potential ripple effect across the region.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue,” — Rich Campbell, CEO, Atlantis Events
- “A ship — a magnificent ship — full of gay men. And me. Denied entry to Turkey simply because of who is on board,” — Patti LuPone, Broadway performer
- “I worry that other countries are going to be emboldened in turn to ban gay cruises from their ports as well,” — Kyle Olsen, Owner, Hermes Holidays
