Experience

Turkey bars Atlantis gay cruise from ports over ‘moral values’

Posted by Timothy on

Turkish authorities have barred an American gay cruise from calling at the ports of Kuşadası (Kusadasi) and Istanbul, forcing the ship to alter its Mediterranean itinerary and prompting renewed criticism of the country’s deteriorating record on LGBTQIA+ rights.

The 10-day ‘Athens to Venice‘ voyage, organised by United States-based Atlantis Events and departing from Athens on 5 July aboard Virgin Voyages‘ chartered Scarlet Lady, had been scheduled to spend two days in Turkey – or Türkiye – before continuing to Croatia and Italy. Instead, the ship will now visit Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt, and the island of Crete in Greece.

Authorities in Aydın Province, where Kuşadası is located, announced that the visit had been cancelled because the vessel had been chartered by groups whose behaviour was considered incompatible with Turkish society and its moral values. 

Officials stated that there was no possibility of the group being allowed to visit the province for such an event. At the same time, authorities in Istanbul reportedly raided a bar after promotional material circulating online advertised a party linked to the cruise, although Atlantis Events said the brochure was neither produced nor authorised by the company.

According to Atlantis Events, around 1,900 passengers are travelling on the cruise, including approximately 1,100 from the United States, with others from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and several other countries. The company specialises in gay cruises and holidays and has been operating for 36 years.

Atlantis Events president and CEO Rich Campbell said the decision came as a shock, noting that it was the first time in the company’s history that it had been refused permission to dock because of the identity of its passengers. 

He stressed that the cruise was not a political event, but simply a holiday whose guests were looking forward to sightseeing, shopping and supporting local businesses while respecting the cultures they visited. Campbell also warned that allowing governments to decide which tourists are welcome based on their identity was deeply concerning.

Passengers expressed similar disappointment. Journalist Randy Slovacek, who has previously visited Turkey on Atlantis cruises, said there had never been any issues during earlier visits. He regretted that local businesses would now lose the spending of nearly 2,000 visitors, while Egypt and Greece would instead benefit from the tourism revenue.

The company informed passengers that the itinerary had been changed because both Turkish port calls had been cancelled by the authorities despite extensive efforts to reverse the decision, including contacts with the US Embassy.

2024

In 2024, while I was cruising (on a ship, not the other kind of cruising) in the Mediterranean Sea, we visited Istanbul. On day two, we witnessed embarkment day in an Atlantis cruise. So in 2024 it was no issue. 

Part of a broader crackdown

Although same-sex sexual activity has never been criminalised in Turkey and has been legal since the establishment of the republic in 1923, legal equality remains limited. The country offers no legal recognition for same-sex couples, LGBTQIA+ people are not protected by comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, and hate crime protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity are absent.

Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan‘s government, official rhetoric has become increasingly hostile. Senior politicians have frequently portrayed LGBTQIA+ people as a threat to traditional family values, while government campaigns have increasingly linked LGBTQIA+ visibility to what they describe as harmful foreign influences. Since 2015, Pride marches in Istanbul have been routinely banned, with police dispersing gatherings and detaining participants.

The pressure has intensified further in 2026. According to human rights organisations, Turkish authorities have stepped up prosecutions of LGBTQIA+ activists, while several court cases have raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association for LGBTQIA+ organisations. These developments have prompted warnings from European rights groups that civic space for LGBTQIA+ communities continues to shrink.

The trend is also reflected in the 2026 Rainbow Europe Index published by ILGA-Europe. Turkey remains among the lowest-ranked countries in Europe for LGBTQIA+ equality, reflecting persistent shortcomings in legal protections, recognition of families, freedom of assembly and protection from discrimination.

For international visitors, Turkey continues to welcome millions of tourists every year, including LGBTQIA+ travellers, particularly in destinations such as Istanbul and the Aegean Coast. 

However, advocacy groups increasingly advise visitors to be aware of the country’s changing political climate, especially regarding public expressions of LGBTQIA+ identity and participation in community events. 

The decision to block the Atlantis cruise is seen as another indication that the Turkish government’s stance towards LGBTQIA+ visibility has become significantly more restrictive in recent years.

2024 Athens – Mykonos – Istanbul – Kusadasi – Rhodes – Santorini – Athens Cruise on the Norwegian Getaway

  1. Flying Airbus A320neo with Aegean Airlines from Brussels to Athens return.
  2. REVIEW | Athenarum Portus Life & Style Hotel in Piraeus.
  3. GREECE | A modest exploration of Piraeus.
  4. NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE | Before you sail, online check-in and Embarkation Day.
  5. GREECE | Mykonos ft Archaeological Museum, the Windmills and massive crowds.
  6. NORWEGIAN GETAWAY | Balcony Stateroom with included access to the Thermal Spa.
  7. ISTANBUL | Beylerbeyi Palace – Blue Mosque – Grand Bazaar.
  8. NORWEGIAN GETAWAY | Activities – sports – entertainment – common areas.
  9. ISTANBUL | Galataport – Sirkeci Railway Station – Hagia Sophia – Topkapi Park.
  10. Bars & Lounges on Norwegian Getaway.
  11. Ephesus.
  12. Restaurants and food on Norwegian Getaway.
  13. RHODES | Lindos and its acropolis.
  14. Rhodes.
  15. NORWEGIAN GETAWAY | Skipping Santorini to make it a Sea Day.
  16. NORWEGIAN GETAWAY | Disembarkation Day.
  17. Turkey welcomed 62 million international tourists who together spent $61 billion in 2024.
  18. CRUISE REVIEW | 7 days on NCL’s Norwegian Getaway in the East Mediterranean Sea / Aegean Sea.
  19. ATHENS | Revival buildings, Changing of the Guards at Syntagma and the Acropolis.
  20. There’s more than one way to enjoy a cruise.
  21. NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE | Athens – Mykonos – Istanbul – Kusadasi – Rhodes – Santorini – Athens.

LGBTQIA+ and travel

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