The Scarlet Lady a cruise ship carrying over 1,900 LGBTQ+ tourists, was recently barred from entering ports in Turkey and Egypt. This unprecedented decision has raised significant questions about the future of LGBTQ+ tourism in these popular destinations.
The cruise, organized by Atlantis Events Inc. in collaboration with Virgin Voyages was initially scheduled to make stops in Istanbul and the Aegean beach town of Kusadasi in Turkey, followed by a visit to Alexandria in Egypt. However, both countries refused to allow the ship to dock, citing concerns over the passengers’ sexual orientation.
The Decision and Its Immediate Impact
The Turkish provincial government encompassing Kusadasi issued a statement claiming that the visitors would be “at odds with the fabric of our society and moral values.” The planned arrival of the Scarlet Lady had allegedly caused “significant distress” among the local population. Similarly, Egyptian port authorities ordered the ship to turn back as it approached Alexandria, although no official reason was provided.
This decision has had a direct impact on the passengers, many of whom had planned extensive tours and excursions in both countries. The sudden change in itinerary has left them in limbo, with the ship rerouted to Crete and Montenegro before continuing to its original destinations in Croatia and Venice.
Broader Implications for LGBTQ+ Tourism
The refusal of Turkey and Egypt to allow the Scarlet Lady to dock has raised concerns about the broader implications for LGBTQ+ tourism. Rich Campbell the CEO of Atlantis Events, expressed his disappointment, stating that this decision could have repercussions for the tourism industry in both countries.
“Large groups will avoid it — we will avoid it,” Campbell warned. “It’s a fantastic destination and it should be friendly to all.” This sentiment was echoed by Kyle Olsen the owner of another LGBTQ+ tour company, Hermes Holidays, who expressed concern that other countries might follow suit and ban gay cruises from their ports.
The incident has also highlighted the increasing pressure on LGBTQ+ communities in both Turkey and Egypt. In recent years, Turkish officials have put increasing pressure on LGBTQ+ communities, banning pride events and shutting down advocacy groups. Meanwhile, in Egypt, authorities have been known to use vague penal code provisions to imprison LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Future of LGBTQ+ Cruises
This incident has sparked a debate about the future of LGBTQ+ cruises and the destinations they can visit. While Atlantis Events has organized multiple tours to Turkey and Egypt without issue in the past, the recent decision suggests that the political climate may be changing.
Atlantis Events has stated that they will not rule out future tours to Turkey and Egypt, but they will require official guarantees that their passengers will be welcomed without discrimination. “They don’t need to install a rainbow flag on the quay, but they must assure us that we are welcome,” Campbell said.
Other tour operators are likely to be watching this situation closely. While several LGBTQ+ cruise companies have successfully navigated to these destinations in the past, the precedent set by this incident could encourage organizers to prioritize countries where LGBTQ+ rights are more protected. This shift could potentially reduce their exposure to last-minute political decisions.
In the meantime, the passengers on the Scarlet Lady are adjusting to their revised itinerary. Despite the setbacks, they remain determined to enjoy their cruise and make the most of their time at sea. As one passenger, Randy Slovacek wrote on his blog, “Trust and believe, me and my fellow passengers will be fine: if they don’t want our tourism, we will sparkle and spend elsewhere.”
