The LGBTQ+ cruise ship Scarlet Lady was denied entry into Egyptian waters on Thursday, just days after being turned away from Turkey. The ship, which is chartered by Atlantis Events, was set to dock in Alexandria but had to inform its 2,000 passengers of the sudden change in plans.
Rich Campbell, the chief executive of Atlantis Events, notified passengers through a letter stating, "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." He expressed disappointment, noting that a similar itinerary had been successfully sailed the previous year.
Reasons Behind the Denial of Entry
The Egyptian government's decision to refuse access remains unexplained publicly. The cruise was initially rerouted to Egypt after being blocked from entering Turkey, where authorities cited that the cruise was chartered by groups whose behaviors do not align with their societal values. The Turkish government expressed that the cruise had sparked significant public concern.
Randy Slovacek, a passenger on the cruise, stated in his blog that in the company's 36-year history, Atlantis had never faced such a denial. He emphasized the unusual nature of this situation, having faced bans in two countries within a week.
Impact on Passengers and Tour Operators
Many passengers, including Broadway performer Patti LuPone, were looking forward to the Egyptian stop, which had been a highlight of their cruise itinerary. Kyle Olsen, the owner of Hermes Holidays, remarked that the sudden ban by Egypt was likely influenced by Turkey's earlier decision. He expressed concern that this trend could encourage other countries to deny entry to LGBTQ+ cruises.
