As Instinct reported last week, just days before the current LGBTQ cruise hosted by Atlantis Events was to depart Athens for 10 days at sea, my fellow passengers and I were informed that we were NOT stopping in Turkey as planned, because the Turkish government suddenly refused to let us dock, citing “moral standards” and “family values.” (Turkey Blocks Gay Atlantis Cruise From Docking, Citing ‘Moral Values’)
CNN reached out to me to talk about how that all unraveled on Sunday. You can see the interview here.
The folks in charge at Atlantis Cruises scrambled and came up with two new destinations to replace the stop in Turkey: Alexandria, Egypt, and the island of Crete.
Many quickly set up guided tours/excursions to go see the pyramids in Cairo. Even though it would be a long day – 3 hours drive there, several hours exploring, three hours back to the ship – who doesn’t want to see the pyramids?
So, most of us went to bed early last night in order to be up for our 7 am departures. But as my hubby and I were leaving our cabin, we found a one-page notice had been slipped under our door. Egypt has been canceled.
The notice read, in part:
“Early this morning, we were informed that Scarlet Lady has been denied entry into Egyptian waters, and, as a result, will no longer be able to call in Alexandria today. We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue. So we were surprised by this unfortunate decision.”
“This news came as a surprise to all of us, and we’re just as disappointed as you are. We’re already working to find an alternate port of call to enjoy and will provide an update later today.”
Thus far, no official reason has been provided by the powers that be in Egypt for the change in plans. In the LGBTQ cruise company’s 36-year history, the travel group has never had a ship denied entry to dock. And now it’s happened in two countries in one week.
One can only guess the recent headlines about the kerfuffle in Turkey had a ripple effect to leaders in Egypt. Today will be an unplanned “day at sea,” and Atlantis has added Kotor, Montenegro, to our itinerary.
Trust and believe me, my fellow passengers and I will be fine. “They wish we were invisible. We’re not. Let’s dance.”
I’m off to grab an Aperol Spritz and a lounge chair on the pool deck. #Forward
These bigots are making our travel plans easier. Now two countries I’ll never visit! I know then won’t miss me or care and the feeling is mutual.
A friend of mine is a PhD psychologist in Egypt and was hauled in by the police and detained for questioning. Why? Because he was suspected of NOT trying to cure the homosexuality of some of his clients. Even if you’re not Queer yourself, but are an Ally, supportive, or Queer-affirming, you may still have trouble there.
Very scary stuff.
Egypt has a long history of discrimination against their own citizens. While there is a highly closeted community in Alexandria and Cairo (and maybe other places as well) I would not call it a “safe” place to be out.