A charter cruise operated by Atlantis Events has been forced to alter its Eastern Mediterranean itinerary after Turkish authorities denied the vessel permission to call at ports in Kusadasi and Istanbul.

The Scarlet Lady, operated by Virgin Voyages and chartered by Atlantis Events for an LGBTQ+ cruise, was scheduled to visit Kusadasi on July 7 before spending two days in Istanbul. Following the decision by Turkish authorities, the cruise operator replaced the Turkish ports with calls at Alexandria in Egypt and Heraklion on the Greek island of Crete.

Authorities Cite Public Morality Concerns

The governor’s office of Turkey’s Aydın Province, where Kusadasi is located, announced the decision in a statement published on the social media platform X. Officials said the cruise had been chartered by groups whose activities were considered incompatible with the country’s social values and public morality, and therefore the vessel would not be permitted to enter the province.

Itinerary Changed Mid-Voyage

After the Turkish port calls were canceled, Atlantis Events revised the itinerary by adding Alexandria and Heraklion as replacement destinations.

The 10-night cruise departed from Piraeus, the port serving Athens, on July 5 and is scheduled to conclude on July 15. Fares for the voyage started at approximately US$1,900, with the itinerary featuring a variety of onboard entertainment, themed events and parties.

Atlantis Events Specializes in LGBTQ+ Cruises

Founded in 1991, Atlantis Events is one of the world’s largest organizers of LGBTQ+ vacations and cruises. The company primarily markets its sailings to gay men while welcoming lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and other LGBTQ+ travelers.

The itinerary change highlights the differing legal and cultural approaches to LGBTQ+ issues across destinations, with cruise operators occasionally adjusting routes in response to local regulations, government decisions or operational requirements.