In early July 2026, a cruise ship carrying nearly 2,000 passengers, predominantly gay men, was denied docking at ports in Turkey and Egypt, disrupting its Eastern Mediterranean itinerary.
Denials in Turkey and Egypt
The ship was initially refused entry to Turkish ports in early July 2026. Turkish authorities publicly stated that the cruise was chartered by groups whose behavior they said conflicted with their societal values, resulting in the cancellation of the ship’s arrival. Days after Turkey’s refusal, Egyptian officials also denied the same vessel entry into their waters, blocking its planned stop in Alexandria.
The cruise organizer confirmed both refusals and reported that the
denials directly impacted the voyage’s schedule and passenger plans. Passengers were notified on board, with the Egyptian denial described as a last-minute decision.
Impact on Passengers and Itinerary
The cruise carried nearly 2,000 mostly gay passengers and was chartered specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. These port denials prevented the ship from docking at scheduled stops in Turkey and Egypt, forcing a reroute. The ship was redirected to other ports in the region to continue its cruise, including stops in Chania, Crete, and Montenegro.
The disruptions affected passengers’ shore excursions and pre-booked activities, including tours to major cultural sites. Passenger accounts indicated surprise and disappointment over
the denied access, given the cruise’s previous successful itineraries in the region. The organizer noted that this was the first time in 36 years that Atlantis Events had a chartered cruise denied entry to dock, and this occurred in two countries during the same week.
