After Turkey, Egypt Denies Entry To 2,000-Passenger LGBTQ+ Cruise Ship
Egypt has denied entry to a cruise ship chartered by an LGBTQ+ travel company, following a similar decision by Turkish authorities. Officials cited 'moral values' and public concern as the reasons for blocking the vessel, which was carrying 2,000 passengers.
Why it matters
The incident highlights growing tensions regarding LGBTQ+ rights and international travel, reflecting how local cultural and moral policies can disrupt global tourism operations.
Egypt has refused to allow a cruise ship carrying around 2,000 passengers, mostly gay men, to dock, days after Turkey blocked the same vessel. Egyptian authorities have not given an official reason for the decision.Passengers, including Broadway performer Patti LuPone, woke up on Thursday to find a letter slipped under their cabin doors informing them that the ship had been denied entry into Egyptian waters and would no longer stop at Alexandria as planned. The crew immediately began looking for an alternative port.In the letter, Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell said the company was surprised by Egypt's decision because it had successfully operated a similar cruise itinerary last year without any problems, so the decision to block the ship came as a surprise, according to Advocate."Please know that both the Atlantis and Virgin Voyages teams worked tirelessly to make this call in Alexandria a possibility.
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