Turkish authorities have taken the controversial step of denying a cruise ship catering to American LGBTQ+ travelers the ability to dock in their ports. This action stems from claims of maintaining “moral standards” and “family values,” as stated by the CEO of Atlantis Events, the company tasked with organizing the cruise.
Details of the Cruise and Its Itinerary
The cruise, titled “Athens to Venice,” is scheduled to set sail from Greece on July 5. It was slated to arrive in the popular Turkish port town of Kuşadası two days later, followed by a planned stop in Istanbul. According to Atlantis Events, more than 1,000 passengers, primarily from the U.S., were expected to enjoy this Mediterranean voyage. However, local officials in Turkey have deemed the event incompatible with the values of their society, resulting in the cancellation of the Turkish stops.
Impact on Tourists and Future Plans
The vessel in question, the Scarlet Lady, is operated by Virgin Voyages, a cruise line backed by Richard Branson. After the ban, Atlantis Events announced that the itinerary would be amended to include stops in Cairo, Egypt, and the Greek island of Crete, moving away from Turkey entirely. Rich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events, expressed his surprise and concern over the implications of such a decision, stating that it is alarming for a nation to selectively allow specific tourists entry based on their identities.
Context of LGBTQ+ Rights in Turkey
Over recent years, the political climate in Turkey has become increasingly unfriendly towards the LGBTQ+ community, particularly under the leadership of President Tayyip Erdoğan and his AK Party. The government has a history of prohibiting Pride marches (which have not occurred in Istanbul since 2015) under the pretext of public safety. As criticism mounts from human rights groups, the tension surrounding LGBTQ+ issues in the region has intensified.
Concerns Among Tour Operators
Campbell noted that the refusal to permit the cruise to dock in Turkey marks the first instance in 36 years where such a directive has been issued against Atlantis Events. This unprecedented action raises questions about the treatment of tourists based on their sexual orientation. Roughly 1,100 of the 1,900 anticipated guests for this voyage are American, with others hailing from Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
In response to the local authorities’ decision, Campbell emphasized that Atlantis Events is not a political organization and merely aims to offer a respectful platform for travelers to enjoy unique experiences. He articulated the organization’s mission: “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.”
The sudden change in itinerary was communicated to passengers by Atlantis, stating, “due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to change the ports in our itinerary to remove both port calls to Turkey.” As the global community grows increasingly aware of these issues, the ripple effects of this incident will likely resonate beyond just this cruise.