Tourism and government officials in Egypt could not immediately be reached for comment. Virgin Voyages did not respond to requests for information.
Passengers on the ship got a notification in the middle of the night that the stop in Alexandria, which was meant to include tours to Cairo and the Egyptian Museum, had been cancelled.
A passenger itinerary update read: “We’re incredibly disappointed to share that Scarlet Lady has just been denied entry into Egyptian waters and will no longer be able to call in Alexandria. We’re working hard to secure an alternative port.”
Alexandria had become an alternative port after officials in Turkey prohibited the Scarlet Lady from stopping in Istanbul and Kusadasi for three days.
On June 28, the official X account for the provincial government that includes Kusadasi posted a news release stating that the July 7 visit of a chartered cruise ship had been cancelled.
The post said groups on the ship were “known for their behaviour incompatible with our society’s structure and moral values”, according to an English translation.
The vessel departed Athens on Sunday for a 10-night Mediterranean cruise – with stops in Greece and Croatia before ending in Italy.
Broadway star Patti LuPone, who is booked to perform on the cruise, shared her outrage about Turkey’s decision on social media last week.
She posted on Facebook: “A ship – a magnificent ship – full of well-heeled gay men. And me. Denied entry to Turkey simply because of who is on board. I am ready to perform for all the wonderful men on this Atlantis cruise, who deserve so much better than this.”
Campbell said Atlantis Events has had the cruise planned for more than a year. The Los Angeles-based company, which charters large ships for cruises aimed at LGBTQ+ passengers, has brought travellers to Turkey more than a dozen times over 20-plus years, including last year, and had “a fantastic tourist experience”.
He said: “We’re there to shop, be great tourists, spend money. It’s always a culturally respectful group.”
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