The LGBTQ+ cruise ship that Patti LuPone is performing on has been blocked from entering Egypt after being banned from entering Turkey.
CNN confirmed Friday that Egyptian authorities did not allow Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady to enter its waters. Rich Campbell, the president and CEO of Atlantis Events, told the outlet, “We had full approval and they denied us clearance at the 11th hour.”
The news comes after LuPone took to Instagram on July 2 to reveal the ship had been turned away from Turkey. The Tony Award winner wrote, “I am shocked. The Atlantis cruise I am performing on next week has been banned from entering Turkey. A ship — a magnificent ship — full of gay men. And me. Denied entry to Turkey simply because of who is on board.”
She continued, “I am furious, but I am sailing, as the ship will make other ports of call. I am ready to perform for all the wonderful men on this Atlantis cruise, who deserve so much better than this.”
Per Atlantis’ website, the Egypt stop on the cruise was added to the itinerary after the ship was not allowed to dock in Turkey.
Egyptian officials have not shared why the cruise ship was blocked, though the Aydin government shared a post on X, which read, “The organization, planned by groups known for behaviors that do not align with the structure of our society and our moral values and which has come to the agenda in the press and broadcast organs and social media platforms, to dock a cruise ship rented by these groups at Aydın Kuşadası Port on July 7, 2026, and which has caused great discomfort in various segments of our society, has been canceled.” The organization in reference is Atlantis, an LGBTQ+ cruise line.
Of the ship being turned away by Turkey and Egypt, passenger Greg Morley told CNN, “My mind went to the LGBTQ communities in Egypt and Turkey where LGBTQ individuals don’t have the opportunities to just sail away.” Morley added, “Discrimination and the lack of opportunities that come with the shortsighted marginalization of LGBTQ people and other minorities damages far beyond a cruise ship rescheduling.”
The Agatha All Along actress shared a photo on Instagram Friday of herself and the cruise ship passengers, though she did not mention the ship being turned away from Egypt in the caption.
“A ship — a magnificent ship — full of gay men,” she wrote. “And me.”
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to LuPone’s rep for comment.
Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady set sail on July 5 and will finish its voyage in Italy on July 15. The cruise was described as “an epic all-gay voyage from Athens to Venice to the Mediterranean’s most iconic destinations — Mykonos, Santorini, Istanbul, Dubrovnik, and more. We’ll dazzle 2,500 guys with stellar entertainment, the world’s best parties, and awesome experiences aboard Virgin’s Scarlet Lady” in a May Instagram post made by Atlantis.
