The Scarlet Lady, an LGBTQ+ cruise ship chartered by Atlantis Events, was denied entry to Egyptian waters on Thursday, just days after Turkey blocked the vessel from docking. The 2,000 passengers, including Broadway star Patti LuPone, woke to a note under their cabin doors informing them of the sudden change.
Egypt Denies Entry Without Explanation
Rich Campbell, CEO of Atlantis Events, addressed passengers in a letter: “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. 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.” No official reason was provided by the Egyptian government.
The visit to Egypt was already a replacement for the original port after Turkey refused entry earlier this week. Turkish authorities published a statement online saying the cruise was chartered “by groups known for behaviours that do not align with the structure of our society and our moral values,” and that the arrival “sparked significant public concern.”
Passengers React to Dual Bans
Randy Slovacek, a passenger on the cruise, wrote on his blog: “In the company’s 36-year history, Atlantis had never had a ship denied entry to dock. And now it’s happened in two countries in one week. Trust and believe, me and my fellow passengers will be fine: if they don’t want our tourism, we will sparkle and spend elsewhere.”
Kyle Olsen, owner of Hermes Holidays, another LGBTQ+ tour company, said he believes Egypt’s decision was influenced by Turkey’s ban. “I worry that other countries are going to be emboldened in turn to ban gay cruises from their ports as well. This is a sad representation of the way the world is going. Successive governments are falling to rightwing groups and the rights of LGBT+ people are being taken away as a result across the globe.”
Impact on Passengers and Rerouting
Olsen noted that passengers had paid significant sums for private tours to see the pyramids and museums. “It was going to be the trip of a lifetime but now they’re in limbo.” The ship has been rerouted to dock in Chania, Crete, on Friday and Montenegro on Sunday.
Campbell called Turkey’s decision “stunning,” telling CNN: “The reasoning behind it is that it’s a gay group.” He added that Atlantis had chartered cruises to Turkey 13 times over the past 25 years without incident, and calls involving the US embassy failed to reverse the ban.
Patti LuPone, the 77-year-old Tony award winner performing on the ship, shared her shock on Instagram: “The Atlantis cruise I am performing on next week has been banned from entering Turkey. A ship – a magnificent ship – full of gay men. And me. Denied entry to Turkey simply because of who is onboard. I am furious, but I am sailing, as the ship will make other ports of call. I am ready to perform for all the wonderful men on this Atlantis cruise, who deserve so much better than this.”
Atlantis Events and Virgin Voyages have been approached for comment.
