A gay cruise was turned away by Turkey. Then Egypt rejected them too.
Nearly 2,000 LGBTQ+ travelers hoped for a safe, happy vacation at sea. Instead, they found themselves shut out of two countries back-to-back.
What Happened
A cruise ship filled with close to 2,000 LGBTQ+ guests was blocked from docking in Egypt on Thursday. The ship, named the Scarlet Lady, is run by Virgin Voyages and was rented by Atlantis Events.
This was the second major blow for the travelers. Just days earlier, officials in Turkey banned the ship from stopping there.
The ship tried to make an emergency stop in Alexandria, Egypt instead. The tour operator said local officials approved the stop but canceled it at the last minute.
Fact Box
- 2,000: About the number of guests on board.
- 2: Number of countries that blocked the ship this week.
- Scarlet Lady: The name of the Virgin Voyages ship.
- Alexandria: The Egyptian port city where the ship was blocked on Thursday.
- Atlantis Events: The company that planned the trip.
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Why It Matters
When you buy a ticket for a cruise, you expect to visit the places on your list. For LGBTQ+ people, travel can already feel unsafe.
Being turned away by two governments makes the world feel smaller and less welcoming. It shows how fast rules can change for gay travelers.
What Happens Next
The ship is still at sea with its passengers. The cruise organizer is working to find a new place where the ship can safely dock.
Passengers are trying to make the best of their time on the water. The company will have to address refund requests and travel changes once the ship finds a home.
What We Still Don't Know
- Why did Egypt cancel the ship's permission to dock at the last second?
- Did Turkey and Egypt work together to block the ship?
- Will the guests get their money back for the missed stops?