Scarlet Lady Denied Port Entry in Turkey and Egypt Over LGBTQ Passenger Manifest

The Virgin Voyages cruise ship Scarlet Lady, carrying more than 1,900 LGBTQ tourists on a Mediterranean sailing, was denied port entry by Turkey and Egypt on grounds of public morality. The vessel has been rerouted following the decisions.

Turkey's government cited the protection of "public morality and family values" in its refusal. Egypt did not provide a detailed public statement. Both countries denied entry while the vessel was on its scheduled Mediterranean itinerary.

Virgin Voyages condemned the decisions and confirmed the itinerary is being rerouted to alternative ports. Passenger safety and vessel operations have not been affected.

The Scarlet Lady is a Virgin Voyages flagship vessel. The incident marks one of the first publicly confirmed cases of a cruise ship being denied port entry specifically on the basis of its passenger demographic.