Turkey barred gay cruise before Egypt turned it away; diplomats stayed silent

Turkey barred a Mediterranean cruise carrying gay travelers before Egypt later rejected the same voyage, leaving thousands of passengers surprised by last-minute canceled port plans. Travelers and advocates say officials failed to respond publicly, describing the incident as a political decision that targeted LGBTQ+ people rather than any specific security threat. The cruise was eventually rerouted after both setbacks, and organizers said they hoped the denials were isolated. The episode has renewed debate over LGBTQ+ treatment and government transparency in the region.