Breaking update: Sailors onboard Scarlet Lady’s Atlantis Events charter have been told that the ship has been denied entry to Egyptian waters, meaning the planned replacement call in Alexandria, Egypt, can no longer go ahead.

The update was sent to sailors through the Virgin Voyages app shortly before the ship was due to arrive in Alexandria on 8 July 2026. The in-app message, seen by VV Insider, states that Scarlet Lady “has just been denied entry into Egyptian waters and will no longer be able to call in Alexandria.”

We’re incredibly disappointed to share that Scarlet Lady has just been denied entry into Egyptian waters and will no longer be able to call in Alexandria. We’re working hard to secure an alternative port. Rich from Atlantis Events and Captain Bram will share more details later this morning, but we wanted to let you know as soon as we received this unfortunate news. – Onboard App Message

The message also says Virgin Voyages and Atlantis Events are “working hard to secure an alternative port,” with Rich Campbell from Atlantis Events and Captain Bram expected to share more details with sailors later this morning.

Second Major Itinerary Disruption For Atlantis Charter

The development follows an earlier decision by Turkish authorities to block the same Atlantis Events charter from calling at Kuşadası and Istanbul. Those Turkish port calls had originally formed part of the 10-night Athens to Venice charter aboard Scarlet Lady, which departed Athens on 5 July 2026.

Turkey’s decision was widely reported after officials cited “moral standards” and “family values” in relation to the LGBTQ+ charter. Atlantis Events later confirmed that Cairo, Egypt, and Crete, Greece, would replace the canceled Turkish port calls.

You can read our earlier coverage here: Virgin Voyages Charter Denied Entry To Turkish Ports.

Alexandria Replacement Call No Longer Possible

The planned Egypt call was intended to give sailors access to Cairo and some of Egypt’s major historical sites after the Turkish ports were removed. However, according to the onboard app alert, Scarlet Lady has now also been denied entry into Egyptian waters.

At this stage, VV Insider has not seen an official explanation from Egyptian authorities, Virgin Voyages, or Atlantis Events for why the Alexandria call has been blocked. The app alert does not give a reason for the denial.

Because of this, the cause should be treated as unconfirmed. Given the context of the earlier Turkish decision and Egypt’s documented treatment of LGBTQ+ people under public morality and “debauchery” laws, it is reasonable to ask whether the identity of the charter group may have been a factor. However, there is currently no substantiated evidence confirming that Egypt’s decision was made on that basis.

What Happens Next For Sailors?

Virgin Voyages and Atlantis Events are now working to secure an alternative port. The timing makes this especially difficult, as the denial appears to have happened close to the scheduled arrival in Alexandria.

Sailors onboard should continue to check the Virgin Voyages app and onboard announcements for the latest confirmed information. Any replacement port, additional sea day, revised arrival time, or compensation arrangement will need to be confirmed directly by Virgin Voyages or Atlantis Events.

VV Insider will keep a close eye on developments and will report updates through our social channels as more information becomes available.

Could This Affect Future Egypt Itineraries?

Virgin Voyages currently has a 2027 Athens roundtrip itinerary listed as Greek Isles, Turkey & Cairo Overnight aboard Scarlet Lady, scheduled to depart on 10 June 2027. That published itinerary includes an overnight call in Alexandria, Egypt, with the port used as the gateway for Cairo.

It is too early to say whether this latest denial will have any impact on that 2027 sailing or on any other future Egypt calls. Cruise port access decisions can depend on the ship, charter status, guest profile, local permissions, security considerations, and wider diplomatic or operational factors.

Still, this second denial in the space of a few days will likely increase scrutiny around how reliably certain ports can be included in LGBTQ+ charter itineraries, and whether cruise lines may need stronger contingency planning for destinations where local authorities could object to the nature of a private sailing.

Virgin Voyages And Atlantis Yet To Confirm New Port

At the time of writing, no replacement port has been confirmed for the missed Alexandria call.

VV Insider will continue monitoring onboard updates, official statements, port changes, and itinerary movements. We will share confirmed updates on our social channels as soon as reliable information becomes available.