An LGBTQ+ charter cruise with roughly 1,900 to 2,000 passengers aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady was prevented from making scheduled port calls in Turkey and later in Egypt in early July, according to statements from organizers and reporting by multiple outlets.
Turkish authorities barred the Scarlet Lady from docking at Kuşadası on July 7, after local officials posted a statement saying the charter was organized by groups “known for behaviours that do not align with the structure of our society and our moral values,” according to an English translation cited in international reporting.
After the Turkey cancellations, the voyage was rerouted to include Alexandria, Egypt, but the ship was later denied entry into Egyptian waters and was unable to call there, according to Atlantis Events and Virgin Voyages. Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell said approval for Alexandria was pulled at the last minute; he told The Washington Post that the denial came during the ship’s approach in the early morning hours local time.
Virgin Voyages said it had operated a similar itinerary the prior year without issues and that the company was working to arrange alternate ports.
Broadway performer Patti LuPone, who was scheduled to perform onboard, criticized Turkey’s decision on social media, writing that she was furious but would continue sailing as the ship made other port calls.
