10.07.2026 22:30
The cruise ship Scarlet Lady, owned by Virgin Voyages, redirected its course to Egypt's Port of Alexandria after being denied berthing at Turkey's ports of Kuşadası and Istanbul. However, this time the vessel also failed to obtain entry permission from Egyptian authorities.
The cruise ship Scarlet Lady, operated by Virgin Voyages and carrying approximately 1,900 to 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers, faced a port denial for the second time during its Mediterranean tour. The ship, previously denied entry at Turkey's Kuşadası and Istanbul ports, was also unable to dock at Egypt's Alexandria Port, which had been set as an alternative route.
FIRST STOPS WERE KUŞADASI AND ISTANBUL
The ship, chartered by US-based Atlantis Events, was initially scheduled to stop at Kuşadası on July 7 and then at Istanbul as part of its 10-day Mediterranean tour. However, the Aydın Governorship first announced that the ship would not be permitted to dock, citing that the organization was "incompatible with the society's structure, moral values, and family structure." Following this, the ship's Istanbul program was also canceled.
In a statement after the decision, tour organizer Atlantis Events noted that this trip had been planned for over a year and that they had conducted dozens of similar voyages to Turkey in the last 20 years. The company management argued that passengers were traveling solely for touristic purposes and made several diplomatic efforts, including through the US Embassy, to resolve the crisis, but these efforts were unsuccessful.
ROUTE DIVERTED TO EGYPT, SECOND OBSTACLE ARISES
After the cancellation of the Turkey program, the ship's route was diverted to Egypt's Alexandria Port. However, Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell announced that previously granted entry approval was withdrawn as the ship approached the port. Campbell stated that Egyptian authorities canceled the docking permit at the last moment, with no official reason provided for the decision.
"A FIRST IN OUR 36-YEAR HISTORY"
Rich Campbell, CEO of Atlantis Events, stated that this development was an unprecedented situation for the company, calling it one of the most notable port obstructions due to the passengers' identity in the company's 36-year history. Campbell also noted that the company had previously conducted voyages on similar routes without any issues.
NEW ROUTE DETERMINED
After the cancellation of the Alexandria program, a new route was established for the Scarlet Lady. The ship will continue its journey via Chania Port in Crete and alternative stops in Montenegro.