An LGBTQ+ cruise carrying around 2,000 passengers has been denied entry to Egypt just days after being barred from docking in Turkey, leaving travellers scrambling as organisers seek alternative destinations.
Passengers aboard the Scarlet Lady, a Virgin Voyages ship chartered by LGBTQ+ holiday company Atlantis Events, woke on Thursday to find a letter under their cabin doors informing them that Egyptian authorities had refused the vessel entry into the country's waters. The ship had been due to call at Alexandria as part of a 10-day cruise from Athens to Venice.
In a message to guests, Atlantis Events chief executive Rich Campbell said the decision had come as a surprise. "Early this morning, we were informed that Scarlet Lady has been denied entry into Egyptian waters, and, as a result, will no longer be able to call in Alexandria today," he wrote.
"I know how much this visit meant to so many of you. We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue. So we were surprised by this unfortunate decision."
"If they don't want our tourism, we will sparkle and spend elsewhere."
Campbell added that both Atlantis and Virgin Voyages had worked extensively to make the Egyptian stop possible and said the news had left organisers "just as disappointed" as passengers.
The Egypt stop had already been added as a replacement after Turkish authorities blocked the ship from visiting the port of Kuşadası earlier this week.
Officials in Turkey said the cruise had been chartered by groups "known for behaviours that do not align with the structure of our society and our moral values". Authorities claimed the visit had generated "significant public concern" and insisted there was "absolutely no possibility" of the group visiting the province for such an event.
No official explanation has yet been provided by Egyptian authorities for their decision to deny the ship entry.
Among those onboard is Broadway star Patti LuPone, who had previously condemned Turkey's decision. Writing on Instagram, the Tony Award-winning performer said she was "furious" that a ship carrying LGBTQ+ passengers had been refused entry "simply because of who is onboard".
Passenger and blogger Randy Slovacek described the latest development as unprecedented.
"In the company's 36-year history, Atlantis had never had a ship denied entry to dock," he wrote. "And now it's happened in two countries in one week."
Despite the disruption, Slovacek struck a defiant note, adding: "If they don't want our tourism, we will sparkle and spend elsewhere."
Kyle Olsen, owner of LGBTQ+ travel company Hermes Holidays, said he feared the decisions by Turkey and Egypt could encourage other countries to take similar action against LGBTQ+ cruise operators.
"I worry that other countries are going to be emboldened in turn to ban gay cruises from their ports as well," he said.
"This is a sad representation of the way the world is going. Successive governments are falling to right-wing groups and the rights of LGBTQ+ people are being taken away as a result across the globe."
Olsen said he would no longer recommend Turkey or Egypt to customers following the decisions, but stressed that government policies did not necessarily reflect the attitudes of local people.
"We've been to Turkey and Egypt many times in the past and have found the people very warm, friendly and engaging," he said.
Scene was founded in Brighton in 1993, at a time when news stories about Pride protests were considered radical.
Since then, Scene has remained proudly independent, building a platform for queer voices. Every subscription helps us to report on the stories that matter to LGBTQ+ people across the UK and beyond.
Your support funds our journalists and contributes to Pride Community Foundation’s grant-making and policy work.
Member discussion