Türkiye bars LGBTQ+ cruise ship from docking, citing "family values"

Turkish authorities have barred a cruise ship catering to American LGBTQ+ travelers from docking at the country's ports, citing concerns over "moral standards" and "family values," according to the CEO of the company organising the voyage.

The "Athens to Venice" cruise, operated by Atlantis Events, is scheduled to depart from Greece on July 5. It had been due to call at the Turkish port city of Kuşadası on July 7 before continuing to Istanbul, CNN reports. 

In a statement, local authorities said they had canceled the planned port calls because the vessel had been chartered by groups "known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values."

The ship, Scarlet Lady, is operated by Virgin Voyages, the Richard Branson-backed cruise line, according to maritime tracking platform MarineTraffic.

Following the decision, Atlantis Events said the itinerary has been revised. The ship will now visit Cairo, Egypt, and the Greek island of Crete instead of stopping in Türkiye.

Rich Campbell, the president and CEO of Atlantis Events, said the company had never before encountered such a restriction in its decades of operation.

"It was the first time in 36 years that the company has been 'actively told we may not berth here because of who we are,'" Campbell told CNN.

The voyage is expected to carry around 1,900 passengers. According to Campbell, approximately 1,100 guests are from the United States, while the remaining travelers come from countries including the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

By Sabina Mammadli