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Turkey Cancels Scarlet Lady Cruise Port Calls at Kuşadası and Istanbul
Turkish authorities canceled scheduled stops for the Virgin Voyages ship on an Atlantis Events itinerary. The vessel will instead visit Cairo and Crete after the change was communicated to passengers on Thursday.
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Turkish authorities canceled planned port calls for the Scarlet Lady at Kuşadası and Istanbul. The ship was scheduled to dock at Kuşadası on July 7 during a 10-day Athens to Venice voyage organized by Los Angeles-based Atlantis Events. The vessel, operated by Virgin Voyages, was expected to carry roughly 1,900 passengers, including about 1,100 from the United States and others from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and elsewhere.
Local authorities stated the cancellations occurred because the vessel was booked by groups known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values. Officials in Aydin province added there was absolutely no possibility of the group visiting the province for an event of this nature. The new itinerary includes visits to Cairo, Egypt, and the Greek island of Crete.
The change was communicated to passengers on Thursday. Atlantis Events President and CEO Rich Campbell said it is the first time in 36 years the company has been actively told we may not berth here because of who we are. The company has operated LGBTQ+-focused cruises for 36 years.
Pride marches have been banned in Istanbul since 2015.
