Turkish Authorities Deny Port Docking Of LGBTQ+ Cruise With Nearly 2,000 Passengers

Due to its theme, an LGBTQ+ focused cruise taking place this month aboard a Virgin Voyages ship has been denied docking access in Türkiye.

Turkish authorities have prohibited the cruise from stopping in Kuşadası, Türkiye, during its “Athens to Venice” Mediterranean itinerary. According to a press release shared on X, Officials in Aydın, the province where Kuşadası is, stated that the ban is due to the sailing being chartered by those “known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values.” The sailing reportedly commenced on July 5 with an updated route that included Cairo, Egypt, and Crete, Greece, instead of the Kuşadası stop, which was scheduled for July 7.

Authorities in Aydın further emphasized that there’s “absolutely no possibility of the group in question visiting our province for an event of this nature.” The officials described the canceled docking as “an isolated incident.”

What Else Is There To Know?

Atlantis Events is the organizer of the LGBTQ+ focused cruise, which is taking place aboard Virgin Voyages’ first ship, the Scarlet Lady. The CEO and President of Atlantis Events, Rich Campbell, commented on Turkish officials’ move to prohibit the cruise’s docking based on the sexualities and identities of those on board. The CEO claimed that in the company’s 36 years in business, this incident is the first time it’s been “actively told we may not berth here because of who we are.”

“It’s pretty stunning, to be honest. I mean, and the reasoning behind it is that it’s a gay group,” said Campbell about the Turkish authorities’ ban to CNN. “It’s very concerning to me when a country decides they can pick and choose which tourists are allowed in and which are not.”

Sharing insight on the intended nature of the 10-day Mediterranean adventure, Campbell said, “This is not a political organization. We are not there for anything except to spend money, have a good time, take tours, and be incredibly respectful to every culture we visit.”

Notably, nearly 2,000 passengers – mainly from the United States, but also from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other countries – are said to be embarking on the cruise. In a statement to USA Today, Campbell shared that Atlantis Events cruises have “been to Istanbul and Kusadasi 13 times in the last 25 years.”

Is Türkiye LGBTQ+ Friendly For Travelers?

While there are no laws criminalizing LGBTQIA+ in Türkiye, discrimination toward the community has been known to occur. Travelers should know that the country is generally more conservative, especially outside of major cities. With that in mind, all couples of any sexuality should avoid public displays of affection.

According to a 2025 Amnesty International request for urgent action, unlawful bans against Pride events have routinely occurred across Türkiye since 2015.

For their safety, the State Department encourages American gay and lesbian travelers to research their accommodations in advance before visiting Türkiye.

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