Türkiye has banned an LGBT cruise from entering its ports.

Turkish authorities blocked the arrival of a foreign cruise ship that was planning a themed tour for the LGBT community. The ship was banned from calling at Turkish ports, and one of the clubs in Istanbul was suspended after announcing an event for cruise passengers, Tengri Travel reports.

The decision to prevent the event from taking place was reported by Turkish media, citing official statements from local administrations.

The Virgin Voyages cruise ship Scarlet Lady was at the center of the situation. The ship's tour was booked by the American agency Atlantis Events.

According to the original itinerary, the liner was supposed to call at the ports of Istanbul and the popular resort town of Kusadasi in Aydin province in early July.

However, the Aydin Provincial Governor's Office issued an official statement emphasizing that holding such events in the region is contrary to traditional values.

The statement stated that the arrival of this group of tourists in such a format is “absolutely excluded.”

Following the backlash from Turkish authorities and the public, the cruise operator was forced to urgently change the ship's itinerary. Türkiye was completely excluded from the itinerary.

The cruise ship's entry ban also led to sanctions within Turkey. According to Turkish media, the reason was the announcement of a themed event on social media.

One of Istanbul's oldest gay clubs, Tek Yön, issued an invitation to a special party for passengers of an upcoming cruise ship.

Following this, the establishment's activities were suspended on the orders of the Governor of Istanbul.

The police cited violations of current regulations as the official reason for the closure. Meanwhile, Turkish media attributed the decision to an attempt by the authorities to prevent the LGBT event from taking place.

Turkish government officials have stated that the country remains open to traditional tourism. However, mass themed events, which the authorities consider contrary to public morality, will be strictly suppressed at the state level.