A cruise catering to gay passengers recently experienced challenges in the Mediterranean after being denied docking permissions by two Muslim-majority countries due to moral objections.
Denied Entry by Turkey and Egypt
The Scarlet Lady, a ship chartered by Atlantis Events, planned to stop in Kusadasi, Turkey, on July 7. However, permission was revoked as the cruise prepared to depart from Athens. Turkish officials cited incompatibility with societal values as the reason.
Rich Campbell, president of Atlantis Events, stated that Egypt also denied entry shortly before the ship was due to dock in Alexandria on July 9. While Egypt offered no official reason, Campbell suspected similar moral concerns were behind the decision.
Muslim Countries’ Approach to LGBTQ+ Guests
Both Egypt and Turkey have increasingly launched exclusion campaigns against gay individuals, leading much of LGBTQ+ life to become discreet or underground.
This cruise, carrying 1,900 primarily American and gay passengers, faces cultural barriers as these countries reinforce policies against openly gay lifestyles.
Cruise’s Itinerary and Entertainment
Ultimately, the Scarlet Lady navigated the issue by spending a day at sea and continuing to Crete, Greece, as planned.
Besides Greece, the ship visited destinations like Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Trieste, Italy. Known for its vibrant costume parties and prominent LGBTQ+ entertainment, the cruise remained a popular choice among its passengers.
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