Denied Again: Second Country Rejects LGBTQ+ Cruise Ship

Editorial Summary

Doug Parker reports on several developments in the cruise industry, beginning with the denial of entry for the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady into Egypt. The ship, which is part of an LGBT charter organized by Atlantis Events, was forced to cancel its scheduled stop in Alexandria after Egyptian authorities refused permission without providing an official reason. This follows a similar incident in Turkey, where the ship was rerouted after officials cited incompatibility with the country's moral values. The cruise is now scheduled to visit Crete and Montenegro instead. In other news, Carnival Cruise Line has announced details regarding its upcoming ACE class ships. The first vessel will be named Carnival Destiny and is expected to debut in 2029. President Christine Duffy describes the ship as a highly outward-facing vessel featuring a reimagined Lido deck and a high percentage of new dining and entertainment venues. Additionally, travel experts are warning European cruisers about a surge in pickpocketing. Major cities such as Rome, Barcelona, and Paris are identified as hotspots for organized theft targeting tourists. Finally, the report notes positive movement in cruise stocks for Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Viking.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.