Key Aspects:
- One passenger was removed from Scarlet Lady’s current LGBTQ+ sailing after drugs were allegedly found in his possession.
- The guest was arrested in Chania on July 10, and has since been deported to his home country of Spain.
- Virgin Voyages has a zero tolerance policy for drug-related offenses and strictly forbids guests from bringing illegal substances onboard.
The drama just keeps piling on for Scarlet Lady’s 2026 Atlantis LGBTQ+ charter sailing, which embarked in Piraeus (Athens), Greece, on July 5, 2026.
Virgin Voyages’ 2,770-guest ship first made national news after being blocked from visiting Turkey and Egypt due to the nature of the themed cruise, and now a passenger has been arrested on drug-related charges.
According to local outlet Gazzetta, the onboard security team allegedly discovered that a 35-year-old Spanish passenger was in possession of and distributing illegal drugs during the 10-night sailing.
The security team contacted the Chania Port Authority, and officers from the Hellenic Coast Guard were waiting to greet the suspect when the 110,000-gross ton vessel arrived in Souda (Chania), Crete, on July 10, 2026.
This was the next port of call on the itinerary, which was thrown in at the last minute to replace the cancelled visit to Cairo (Alexandria), Egypt.
A quick search by local authorities allegedly unearthed small packets of cocaine and cannabis in the cruise guest’s possession. He was then removed from the ship and placed under arrest on suspicion of violating Greece’s drug laws.
Both substances are illegal in Greece and are strictly forbidden onboard Virgin Voyages’ ships.
Passenger Flown Back to Spain
The unidentified cruise guest is lucky to be back in his home country with only a slap on the wrist, though his vacation came to an abrupt end with no refund.
Greece has some of the strictest drug laws in Europe, with penalties ranging from short jail terms (up to 5 months) for personal possession to life imprisonment for large-scale operations.
But after appearing before the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Chania, the guest was released from police custody and put on a plane back to Spain.
Cruise Hive learned that Virgin Voyages would not permit the passenger to rejoin the sailing, which will officially conclude on July 15, 2026, in Trieste, Italy.
Neither Virgin Voyages nor the charter company, Atlantis Events, have publicly commented on the arrest.
A No Tolerance Policy
Virgin Voyages’ code of conduct makes it clear that the adults-only cruise line will bring the hammer down hard and fast if passengers are found to be participating in illegal activities.
“No illegal drugs or other illegal substances are allowed onboard or may be used onboard a Virgin Voyages Ship. Illegal drugs or substances will be confiscated and appropriate action taken, which may include a search of the Sailor’s cabin, belongings and person, confiscation of any suspect substance or items found, removal from the ship and involvement of appropriate authorities,” the code of conduct reads.
“In addition, foreign governments at ports of call have strict laws that address drug possession. Sailors found in violation of such laws are subject to arrest and prosecution by the next jurisdiction at which the ship is calling or located, and may be disembarked,” the cruise line continues.
More serious offenses (like drug use) are punishable by immediate disembarkation without a refund and a lifetime banishment.
