Broadway veteran amongst passengers aboard LGBTQ+ cruise barred from SECOND port in Egypt

An LGBTQ+ cruise carrying around 2,000 passengers, including Broadway legend Patti LuPone, has been barred from docking in Egypt.

Egyptian authorities have barred an LGBTQ+ cruise ship carrying around 2,000 passengers from entering its waters days after the the Atlantis Cruises voyage was barred from docking in Turkey.

The Scarlet Lady, operated by Virgin Voyages and chartered by LGBTQ+ travel company Atlantis Events, had been due to dock in the resort town of Kuşadası on 7 July before continuing to Istanbul later in its Mediterranean itinerary. Both Turkish port calls were cancelled, with Turkish authorities citing moral values misallignment.

Passengers discovered the news with a notice posted on their doors informing them of the change:

“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. We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue. So we were surprised by this unfortunate decision.”

“This news came as a surprise to all of us, and we’re just as disappointed as you are. We’re already working to find an alternate port of call to enjoy and will provide an update later today.”

Among those onboard is three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone, who is due to perform during the voyage. Responding on social media, the Broadway star said she was "shocked" and "furious" that the ship had been denied entry "simply because of who is on board".

View this post on Instagram

Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell described the decision as unprecedented, saying it is the first time in the company's 36-year history that it has been explicitly refused entry to a destination because of the identity of its guests. The ship will now bypass Turkey entirely, with replacement port calls scheduled in Cairo, Egypt, and the Greek island of Crete.

The decision comes amid a wider crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Turkey. While homosexuality remains legal in the country, Pride marches have been routinely banned in Istanbul for more than a decade, and LGBTQ+ organisations have reported increasing restrictions under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government.