#Ports

Turkey denies port access to Scarlet Lady LGBTQ+ cruise charter

Turkish authorities blocked Scarlet Lady from docking at Kusadasi and Istanbul, part of an LGBTQ+-friendly sailing arranged by Atlantis Events. The ship substituted calls at Alexandria, Egypt and Heraklion, Crete instead. According to CNN, "moral standards" and "family values" were cited as reasons for Turkey's decision. Entertainer Patti Lupone expressed outrage at the denial, stating the cruise deserves better treatment.