Patti LuPone’s LGBTQ+ Cruise Ship Denied Entry to Egypt Following Turkish Ban

The LGBTQ+ cruise ship on which Patti LuPone is performing has been denied entry to Egypt after previously being barred from Turkey.

CNN reported on Friday that Egyptian authorities refused permission for Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady to enter the country’s waters. Rich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events, stated that the vessel had received full clearance but was denied entry at the last moment.

The development follows a July 2 Instagram post by LuPone, in which the Tony Award‑winning actress expressed shock that the Atlantis cruise on which she is scheduled to perform had been denied entry to Turkey. She described the vessel as a magnificent ship filled with gay men and herself, questioning why entry was denied on the basis of passengers’ identities.

LuPone added that, while angry, she will continue the voyage as the ship will call at other ports, and she is prepared to perform for the many men aboard the Atlantis cruise, who deserve more respectful treatment.

According to Atlantis’ website, the Egypt leg of the itinerary was appended after the ship was denied docking in Turkey.

Egyptian officials have not provided a rationale for the denial, although the Aydın regional government posted on X, describing the organization arranging the cruise — identified as Atlantis, an LGBTQ+ cruise line — as inconsistent with societal values and harmful to public sentiment.

Passenger Greg Morley told CNN that the denial underscores the challenges faced by LGBTQ communities in Egypt and Turkey, who often lack the freedom to travel openly. He argued that such marginalization harms far more than merely postponing a cruise.

The actress, known for her role in *Agatha All Along*, posted an Instagram photo on Friday featuring herself alongside passengers, though the caption did not reference the denial of entry to Egypt.

“A magnificent ship filled with gay men,” she wrote, “and me.”

The Hollywood Reporter contacted LuPone’s representative for comment.

Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady departed on July 5 and is scheduled to conclude its itinerary in Italy on July 15. The cruise, billed as an all‑gay voyage traversing Athens, Venice, Mykonos, Santorini, Istanbul, Dubrovnik, and other Mediterranean highlights, promised 2,500 guests elite entertainment, premier parties, and unique experiences, as outlined in a May Instagram post by Atlantis.