Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, chartered by Atlantis Events, was initially scheduled to make port calls in Turkey but was blocked by Turkish authorities last week. A statement from the Turkish government said the cruise was organized ‘by groups known for behaviors that do not align with the structure of our society and our moral values.’ The ship was then denied entry to Egypt’s port in Alexandria, according to VV Insider, a Virgin Voyages-focused news site.

Passengers Disappointed, No Official Reason Given

Passengers aboard the ship were informed via an onboard app that Egypt had denied entry, with the message stating: ‘We’re incredibly disappointed to share that Scarlet Lady has just been denied entry into Egyptian waters and will no longer be able to call in Alexandria.’ The message added that organizers were working to find an alternative port. A similar message was posted by Atlantis Events, which said, ‘We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue. So we were surprised by this unfortunate decision.’

Passenger Randy Slovacek noted on his blog that in the company’s 36-year history, no ship had previously been denied entry to dock. The denial happened in two countries within a week. Slovacek said, ‘Trust and believe, me and my fellow passengers will be fine: if they don’t want our tourism, we will sparkle and spend elsewhere.’

Concerns About LGBTQ+ Travel and Tourism

Kyle Olsen, owner of another LGBTQ+ tour company, Hermes Holidays, said he believed that had the Turkish ban not occurred, Egypt might not have issued its own. The sudden cancellations have raised questions about how LGBTQ+ travelers are treated in different regions and how such decisions could affect tourism revenue. The 10-day cruise was re-routed after Turkey’s refusal, but no official reason has been given for Egypt’s ban.

According to a statement from Virgin Voyages, the news came as a surprise to both the company and passengers. ‘This news came as a surprise to all of us, and we’re just as disappointed as you are,’ the company said in a message to passengers. A similar sentiment was echoed in a quote from Joe Jervis, a blogger and fellow passenger, who wrote, ‘They wish we were invisible. We’re not. Let’s dance.’

Broader Implications for LGBTQ+ Travel and Diplomacy

The Advocate reached out to Atlantis Events for clarification on the Egyptian government’s reasoning but received no response. The U.S. Embassy in Egypt has not commented publicly on the matter. The sudden bans in two countries have sparked concern among advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and raised questions about the treatment of LGBTQ+ travelers in countries with conservative social policies.

As of now, no alternative port has been confirmed for the cruise. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges LGBTQ+ travelers face in handling international regulations and cultural attitudes toward sexual orientation and gender identity.