Turkey denies docking to LGBTQ+ cruise ship, citing moral standards
Turkish authorities cancelled planned port calls for a cruise carrying LGBTQ+ travelers, stating the group's behavior conflicts with the country's moral values. The ship will reroute to Egypt and Crete.
Turkish officials in Aydin province informed a cruise ship carrying nearly 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers that scheduled stops in Kusadasi on July 7 and Istanbul would be cancelled. The decision, communicated on July 2, was justified by authorities as necessary to protect "moral standards" and "family values," according to reports.
Rich Campbell, chief executive of Atlantis Events, the U.S.-based organizer of the Mediterranean tour, said the cruise had been advertised a year earlier and had previously visited Turkish ports 13 times over 25 years. He emphasized that the vessel, the Scarlet Lady owned by Virgin Voyages, is indistinguishable from other ships and that the itinerary was not a political demonstration.
Campbell said attempts to discuss the matter with the U.S. Embassy in Turkey did not lead to a reversal of the ban. He added that the ship will now proceed to Cairo, Egypt, and Crete instead of Turkey.
MarineTraffic data confirmed the vessel was docked at a Greek island as of early June. Actress Patti LuPone, who was scheduled to perform on the cruise, expressed disappointment on social media, noting the cancellation was based solely on the passengers' identities.