An Atlantis Events charter cruise aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady faced unexpected setbacks when it was denied entry to Alexandria, Egypt. This decision forced a second itinerary adjustment within a short period after the ship’s planned stops at Turkish ports, Kuşadası and Istanbul, were also canceled. Turkish authorities denied entry on the basis that hosting the charter contradicted their social and moral values.
As a result of the Turkish cancellations, Alexandria was initially added as a replacement destination. However, shortly before arrival, the Egyptian authorities withdrew their approval, impacting around 1,200 shore excursions that had already been sold for Egypt. No official reason for this revocation was provided by Egyptian officials.
Despite attempts by Atlantis Events to maintain the original itinerary, the cruise line was unable to reverse the decisions made by both Turkish and Egyptian authorities. Following these changes, the itinerary continued with alternative destinations such as Crete, while organizers searched for more replacement ports. Atlantis Events mentioned that both Alexandria and Crete had been integral to its Mediterranean cruise offerings for years.
The ten-day voyage, which departed from Athens on July 5 and is set to conclude in Trieste on July 15, included Broadway performer Patti LuPone. She expressed disappointment over the canceled Turkish ports, highlighting that passengers deserved a more favorable outcome.
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