Turkiye has denied entry to a Virgin Voyages cruise ship carrying around 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers, forcing a last-minute itinerary change.
The Scarlet Lady, chartered by US operator Atlantis Events for a 10-day ‘Athens to Venice’ sailing, had been due to call at Kusadası on 7 July and Istanbul later in the week.
The ship departed Greece on 5 July, with an itinerary including Mykonos, Santorini and ports in Croatia before its scheduled end in Trieste, Italy.
However, authorities in the Aydin province blocked the visit, citing concerns the group did not align with the ‘moral values’ and ‘structure of [our] society’. They claimed the ship had ‘sparked significant public concern’.
Atlantis Events said it was the first time in its 36-year history it had been refused entry to a destination on this basis. The company has previously operated sailings to both Kuşadası and Istanbul multiple times.
The ship will now call at alternative ports including Crete, Greece and Cairo, Egypt.
Broadway performer Patti LuPone, who is scheduled to appear on board, criticised the move on Instagram.
She said: “A magnificent ship, full of gay men. And me. Denied entry to Türkiye simply because of who is on board. 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.”
