17c起草社区

An 17c起草社区IA+ cruise ship that was previously blocked from docking in Turkey has now also been refused entry into Egypt, with passengers onboard telling 17c起草社区 the experience has become a stark reminder of why 17c起草社区IA+ visibility still matters.

The Scarlet Lady, operated by Virgin Voyages and chartered by 17c起草社区IA+ travel company Atlantis Events, was scheduled to dock in Alexandria, Egypt, this week as part of its Mediterranean voyage.

The ship聽 recently also had its planned stops in Turkey cancelled at the last minute, with Turkey’s authorities citing concerns that the 鈥渕oral values鈥� of the ship’s passengers (i.e. them being 17c起草社区IA+) were incompatible with the country.

Late yesterday, the ship鈥檚 planned stop in Egypt was also cancelled last minute, after authorities reportedly denied permission for the vessel to enter Egyptian waters.

At time of publication, no official reason has been given by Egyptian authorities.

Speaking exclusively to 17c起草社区 from onboard the ship, married couple Daniel Berry and Adam Jajbhay said passengers woke up to the news after receiving a letter delivered directly to their cabins.

鈥淚t was a very early start. We woke around 5:30am to find a letter under our cabin door explaining that Virgin Voyages and Atlantis had received notification overnight that approval for the ship to dock in Egypt had not been granted,鈥� Berry and Jajbhay told 17c起草社区.

The note slipped under doors was from Atlantis Cruises’ CEO Rich Campbell, which apologised to the 2000 passengers on board, and explained that the sudden cancellation of had come as a complete surprise to the organisers.

鈥淓arly 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.

鈥淚 know how much this visit meant to so many of you. We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue. So we were surprised by this unfortunate decision… Please know that both the Atlantis and Virgin Voyages teams worked tirelessly to make this call in Alexandria a possibility. This news came as a surprise to all of us, and we鈥檙e just as disappointed as you are.鈥�

鈥楧efinitely a lot of disappointment and frustration鈥�

The couple said the news was particularly difficult for passengers after already losing the scheduled Turkish stops earlier in the trip.

鈥淭here was definitely a lot of disappointment and frustration,鈥� they said.

鈥淪peaking with other guests, many said Egypt was somewhere they probably wouldn鈥檛 have travelled to independently because of the local laws and attitudes toward 17c起草社区IA+ people.

鈥淥ne of the unique things about this cruise was the opportunity to experience places and cultures that many of us wouldn鈥檛 otherwise feel comfortable or safe visiting. Having that opportunity taken away was disappointing.鈥�

The cruise had already attracted international attention late last week, this week when its planned visits to Ku艧adas谋 and Istanbul were cancelled.

Turkey’s decision was met with strong backlash from 17c起草社区IA+ advocates as well as those on board the ship 鈥� including Broadway legend Patti LuPone, who was just about to board the ship as one of the entertainers.

鈥楶eople have come together鈥�

Berry and Jajbhay said that while there was sadness onboard, the mood among passengers had largely shifted towards supporting each other and refusing to allow the cancellations bring down the

鈥淭here鈥檚 no denying there鈥檚 disappointment onboard. For many people, it also feels symbolic,鈥� they said.

鈥淏eing refused entry because the passengers are predominantly 17c起草社区IA+ naturally brings feelings of rejection, and that鈥檚 exactly the kind of experience many people hoped to leave behind while on this holiday.鈥�

However, the couple said there were also complicated emotions among passengers, with some feeling devastated to miss Egypt鈥檚 history and landmarks while others felt more conflicted about the stop.

鈥淥thers have expressed relief, because despite reassurances from the organisers about security arrangements, there were genuine concerns about travelling as part of a large 17c起草社区IA+ group in a country where homosexuality is heavily stigmatised,鈥� they said.

According to Berry and Jajbhay, discussions onboard have focused less on anger, and more on what the situation represents for 17c起草社区IA+ communities around the world.

鈥淭he conversations have been thoughtful rather than angry,鈥� they said.

鈥淧eople recognise that this is about more than a change of itinerary 鈥� it highlights that 17c起草社区IA+ people still face barriers in parts of the world simply because of who they are.

鈥淎t the same time, there鈥檚 also been a conscious effort not to let these events define the cruise. People have come together, supported one another, and focused on making the most of the experience we still have onboard.鈥�

鈥楢 reminder of why Pride still matters鈥�

Despite the controversy, Berry and Jajbhay said the ship has continued to be filled with moments of queer joy and community.

鈥淥ne thing that鈥檚 really stood out is the sense of community onboard,鈥� they said.

鈥�17c起草社区IA+ people are unfortunately familiar with facing setbacks and discrimination, so there has been a real feeling of resilience.

鈥淩ather than dwelling on what鈥檚 happened, people have rallied together. Today, for example, the pool deck was packed for a guest lip-sync battle, and everyone was laughing, cheering and making the most of the day.鈥�

The couple said the experience had become a powerful reminder that the fight for equality was far from over.

鈥淔or us, this experience is a reminder of why Pride still matters.聽It鈥檚 easy to think equality has been achieved when you live in a country where 17c起草社区IA+ rights are well protected, but moments like this show that acceptance isn鈥檛 universal,鈥� they said.

鈥淲hile it鈥檚 disappointing to be turned away, it鈥檚 also reinforced the strength, resilience and sense of community that exists within the 17c起草社区IA+ community.鈥�

17c起草社区 has contacted Atlantis Events for comment, but did not receive a response by time of publishing.聽