A cruise ship catering to LGBTQ+ travellers, the Scarlet Lady, has faced a second unexpected port denial this week, with Egypt refusing its entry into Egyptian waters. The incident occurred on Thursday, 10 July 2026, just days after Turkish authorities blocked the vessel from their ports. The ship, carrying 2,000 passengers, had already rerouted its itinerary once following the initial ban.
Passengers, including renowned Broadway performer Patti LuPone, awoke to a note under their cabin doors informing them of the Egyptian decision. Rich Campbell, chief executive of Atlantis Events, the tour group chartering the Virgin Voyages ship, expressed surprise, stating that a similar itinerary had sailed successfully last year without issue. The visit to Alexandria, Egypt, was a hastily arranged replacement after Turkey's refusal, leaving many passengers disappointed, particularly those who had pre-booked expensive private tours to sites like the pyramids and museums.
Turkey's initial ban, issued earlier this week, cited the cruise's charter by groups 'known for behaviours that do not align with the structure of our society and our moral values'. This reasoning was described as 'stunning' by Campbell, who noted that Atlantis had operated cruises to Turkey 13 times over the past 25 years without incident. The swift succession of bans has raised concerns within the LGBTQ+ travel industry.
Kyle Olsen, owner of Hermes Holidays, another LGBTQ+ tour company, suggested that Egypt's decision might have been emboldened by Turkey's actions. He voiced apprehension that other countries might follow suit, potentially restricting gay cruises from their ports. Olsen described the situation as a 'sad representation of the way the world is going', pointing to a global trend of governments shifting rightward and impacting LGBT+ rights. However, he also emphasised that governmental views do not always reflect the sentiments of local populations, noting past positive experiences with Turkish and Egyptian people.
The Scarlet Lady, which commenced its 10-day Athens to Venice journey, has now been rerouted for a second time. It is scheduled to dock in Chania, Crete, on Friday, 11 July 2026, and in Montenegro on Sunday, 13 July 2026. The incident has left many passengers feeling in 'limbo' and highlights the unpredictable nature of international travel for specific demographic groups.