To boycott Turkey and Egypt after homophobic action against cruise ship?

[Holdonforsummer]

Now Egypt has turned away a cruise ship full of LGBT passengers, following in the footsteps of Turkey who had already barred them from docking. Egyptian authorities haven’t stated an official reason but Turkey clearly stated it was because the passengers on the ship didn’t confirm to their society’s ‘moral’ standards. I find this disgusting and outrageous that any country thinks they can start to pick and choose which categories of tourists they will and won’t accept. I for one will now boycott Turkey and Egypt and will not book holidays there in the future. I refuse to support homophobic regimes and feel that the only thing that might change their mind is if many other UK citizens do the same.

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/09/lgbtq-cruise-ship-refused-entry-egypt-turkey?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Their country. Their rules.

I don’t agree with the decision obviously but you do have to question why such an itinerary was planned for the cruise when there are so many countries that wouldn’t bat an eyelid!

Obviously it is horrible and homophobic, but their country, their rules. Everyone can choose what guests they allow into their house.

I don't agree with what they’ve done but I don’t see how a call to boycott the country is going to help? It won’t magic up any new laws or protections regarding a persons sexual orientation.
Those countries aren’t ready to adopt a new way of thinking are still heavily influenced by their religion which often pushes back against homosexuality.

What did you think LGBT etc life was like in those countries?

I don't agree at all, obviously, but you seem surprised and I don't know why.

Thai exactly.

I have family members who are part of the LGBT community and they only holiday were it is safe and welcome.

You say: " I find this disgusting and outrageous that any country thinks they can start to pick and choose which categories of tourists they will and won’t accept"

You do realise that every country, including the UK, will refuse entry to certain categories of tourists right?

Would you have booked holidays there before this action? Those countries views are not new

There have long been ethical issues with holidaying in these countries but no one cares as they are almost always cheaper than holidaying in countries with better human rights records.

I could offer to boycott - but it would be meaningless as I have no intention of going to either country. I have been to one, and I'm not interested in going to the other.

When were you planning your trips, op?

Good lord, OP. You sound rather naive. Have you only just discovered these countries have homophobic attitudes and laws? How exactly are you going to boycott them? Have you been on holiday there previously?

Can you please enlighten me as to which "categories" the UK would refuse entry?
Except known terrorist organisations.... and even then 😂

Why did the organisers have these countries on the itinerary?
We dont need to agree with Turkey or Egypts views on homosexuality but we also dont get to control their views either...

How will you boycott it?

Having been to Turkey I personally wouldn't return anyway.

However, if this is something that goes again their beliefs then that's their prerogative to do so, it doesn't seem to affect their tourism in other ways.

I'm surprised at the organisers for adding these stop overs to the itinerary, they must know beforehand what the do's and dont's of a country are when planning.

YANBU to boycott going to any country for any reason, going to be honest though I’m not sure anyone ever thought places like Turkey or Egypt would be openly welcoming to homosexuals, having said that homosexuality is actually legal in Turkey so I’m surprised that they thought this was reasonable.

As a lesbian while I find this awful that they would do this. I don’t understand why a LGBT cruise ship would go to these places anyway? Seems odd place to have on the itinerary when their clientele wouldn’t be respected and potentially put in danger.

Turkey surprises me as I thought they wanted to join the EU.

What's the cruise company? I would boycott them for being dense.

The cruisers had a lucky escape. The cruise should have been planned to limit exposure to dangerous homophobia.

P and O Furries

P and O Furries

Go ahead and boycott Turkey and Egypt. Nobody will notice and no one will care.

Good for them.

And I am a bisexual woman.

The LGBT lifestyle does not align with those countries core beliefs and religion. They have every right to not allow people into their country that they feel do not align with Turkish/Egyptian morals and beliefs which are openly against homosexuality.

Therefore, I hope we, as a country, grow a backbone and do the same!! I hope we stop allowing people into England that don't share our countrys morals and beliefs on such things as welcoming homosexuality, opposing the cruelty of halal meat and being horrified at child marriage.

There are plenty of safe and welcoming places for LGB people to visit. Why would they want to go to a place that openly condems them?

Most ME regimes do not support homosexuality.

I always wonder about the juxtaposition of views like OPs against the majority support in the UK for the Palestinian 'state'.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/turkey-lgbtq-cruise-ship-ban-b3008410.html

link not behind a paywall. It was a Virgin cruise out of America