![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-1.jpeg]]
Before we head to the ship, we spent a night in Seattle. Doug stayed back at the hotel while I went out to **Union** to meet up with Stegar, Frank, and Scott. On my way back I stopped in at **Pike Place Market** for a little nightcap in the form of ice cream - to go!
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The next morning went on a little walk for coffee and a pastry -- and found delicious options at **Freya Bakery & Cafe** on Western Ave underneath Pike Place Market.
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Sharkie - who has accompanied my family on many trips before - tagged along for our oceanic adventure. He is seen here attempting to eat tourists downtown.
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On the Uber ride to Pier 91 near Magnolia we drove by Shawn Kemp's dispensary.
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*Welcome Aboard!* Chris, Scott, Doug, Frank, and Stegar.
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Sharkie takes one last look at Seattle before sail-away.
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It was a gorgeous day to be sailing out.
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Up in the Crow's Nest we enjoyed a cocktail and some of the Puget Sound views as we made our way toward the Straight of Juan de Fuca.
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Getting a good spot in the theater for the first night's showcase performance...
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Amazing drag artist and vocalist **La Voix**! What a beautiful voice, and had us laughing throughout.
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Special dinner night at **Canaletto** onboard. I had the Chianti-Braised Beef Short Rib which was good -- but I could have eaten a bucket of the simple house-made pasta with garlic and olive oil. 🤤
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Back in the onboard theater with this dandy waiting for the next night's special guest...
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From Tony award-winning actor and singer from **Once on this Island** and **Shucked**, as well as **Glee** -- **Alex Newell**!!
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Alex was incredible -- such a warm person and emotional singer.
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With the amount of emotion they sang us through, everyone of course couldn't resist a rousing standing ovation as the show wrapped up. Such a treat.
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The next morning I enjoyed some quiet coffee up in the Crow's Nest.
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We cruise in toward Juneau for our afternoon arrival.
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It's a cute seaside town butted *right* up against the mountains.
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Without an organized excursion, Doug and I walked off the ship and just explored the city.
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We, of course, had to stop at the **Red Dog Saloon** -- and Sharkie came along. Live music, sawdust on the floors, as well as some snacks and the infamous **Duck Fart** shots - which I enjoyed!
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-25.jpeg]]
> Originating during the heyday of Juneau's glorious mining era, this world famous saloon has provided hospitality and fellowship to weary travelers and local patrons alike. Early day proprietors, Earl and Thelma (Pederson) Forsythe, provided dancing and entertainment. "Ragtime Hattie" played the piano in her white gloves and silver dollar halter top. Later in territorial days, Gordie Kanouse would meet tour boats with his mule and wore a sign saying "follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon." In the early seventies, the Harris family bought the Saloon and later moved it to its present location. In 2008 the saloon was purchased by a group of local residents and Red Dog Mercantile was added.
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Sharkie looking over my **Duck Fart** shot.
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Wait -- Who's this??
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Sharkie brought along a girlfriend -- meet Sharkira.
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Doug and Chris at the **Red Dog Saloon**
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Making our way out -- via the gift shop, naturally!
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We didn't make it far down the next block before having some ice cream from **Glacier Scoops**.
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I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of local LGBT businesses in Juneau -- we counted five or six and tried to make purchases in each of them to support "the sisterhood."
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-35.jpeg]]
The town really does butt up RIGHT against the mountains.
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**Jellyfish Donuts** was one of the highlights of the LGBT businesses -- I had to stop for a maple bacon donut and some coffee. (I didn't try one of their signatures - the salmon donut.)
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-37.jpeg]]
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Locally roasted coffee, too! It was good.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-39.jpeg]]
Taking another look at Juneau from our stateroom balcony.
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And the tramway up to the top! Maybe will check that out next time.
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I joked over text with Deb that Tracy Jordan from 30 Rock is really branching out in his businesses.
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After leaving Juneau I went down for some Musicals trivia -- and won! I got this coveted Holland America tulip as a prize.
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Making our way through Endicott Arm Fjord toward Dawes Glacier.
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Sharkira and Sharkie take in the sights.
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We looked around a bit from the upper decks of the ship, though we also had a great view from our stateroom.
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This is about as close as the ship could get -- but folks could take smaller boats as an excursion to get up close and personal.
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Holland America tradition for this sea day -- pea soup served up on deck!
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Sharkira and Sharkie can't get enough of it.
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Scott and Stegar were on an excursion on this ship and heading back to the ship.
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Selfie time!
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Spying on 'em as they tie up to disembark.
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Beautiful sights, and we're off toward our next destination.
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Lumberjack Dance photos!
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I was more of a "sleepy lumberjack" in this warm and cozy number.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-66.jpeg]]
And look at those gams!
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Scott, Doug, and Stegar near the Lido pool for the party.
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Scott, Chris, Doug, and Stegar
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We also took the "Golden Girls" theme a little less literally with these kaftans.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-70.jpeg]]
Dropping anchor off Ketchikan for the next port day!
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We went ashore a little early - a view from inside the tender boat.
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Looking back at the Westerdam.
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We stopped for some yummy clam chowder while we waited for the rest of the fellas to come ashore.
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Selfie by the marina.
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Stegar, Scott, Chris, Doug and Frank all ashore!
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Jelly!
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We all stopped to remember Bruce, who was with us throughout the trip in spirit.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-79.jpeg]]
Scott hanging out on his street corner.
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Next up - the **Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show**
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They seat quite a few people!
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Oh hello there...
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And now you've got a friend!
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The US team (left) versus the Canadian team (right) -- we were in the red section so we were honorary Canadians for the day.
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They did a bunch of different events, and each competitor was truly talented and competes in legitimate competitions.
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Of course it has to end with the log rolling competition.
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Our gentleman sank the American twice and we won the day!
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He probably needs help drying off -- any volunteers?
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We enjoyed the show -- a little cheesy structure around it, but cool to see the different techniques and competitions and these guys were talented and fit.
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Now we board a coach to check out the large collection of Totem Poles.
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First meeting in the Longhouse.
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The doorways into longhouses were these small holes so that they could be easily defended if an attack were to occur while many of the men were out hunting/fishing.
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The little dancer in front reminded us of our friend JR but younger.
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The face I make when it's time to go get a snack.
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Got to see the carvers at work -- including renowned carver Nathan P. Jackson
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Supervising and answering questions at the moment.
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They were carving a new totem pole to replace one in the complex that had fallen.
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Driving back to the port.
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Dinner with the boys -- Scott, Chris, Doug, Frank, Stegar
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Showtime! John Cameron Mitchell wows the crowd.
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Finishing up with guest (and Vacaya staffer) Marti Cummings.
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Hello, Victoria BC! Once again we didn't have an excursion so we grabbe an Uber into town.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-117.jpeg]]
The Empress Hotel
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A little late breakfast / early lunch at **Irish Times** on Government Street.
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Victoria has Canada's Oldest Chinatown.
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**Fan Tan Alley** was cool to walk down - with some interesting shops lining it.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-125.jpeg]]
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A Canadian version of one of our favorite family games, **Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza** is **Taco Puck Maple Syrup Canoe**!
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-129.jpeg]]
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-130.jpeg]]
**Friends of Dorothy** was not open yet - maybe they didn't get a memo a ship full of us gays were in port.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-131.jpeg]]
I do need to try my local coffee - so we stopped at **Wonderffle Cafe** which is known for their waffles.
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Tasty!
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We did find a gay bar opening soon enough for us --
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-135.jpeg]]
**The Vicious Poodle**!
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I had **The Shelita Tequila** which was very tasty - so I had another one!
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Really cute inside -- I didn't get a good photo but they have some local drag queens on the walls with artist portraits in the style of mug shots.
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Stegar tested positive for Covid and had to stay in his room, so we went on the hunt for a magnet for his magnet wall back home.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-141.jpeg]]
And stopped at **Miniature World**!
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Tiny dioramas of scenes from **World War II** to **Gulliver's Travels** line the narrow passageways. The level of detail was incredible.
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Stopping and waiting for a lunch table near **Victoria Harbour Airport**
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A cup of chowder and fish and chips did the trick! Though they forgot about us when our waitress clocked out.
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Oh! Canada!
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There were a lot of events going on, so to keep things simple (and traffic free) we just walked back to the ship.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-147.jpeg]]
A cool retro car on the walk back.
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There were also many horse drawn carriages just driving through the neighborhoods.
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-149.jpeg]]
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Back to the Westerdam!
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-151.jpeg]]
![[2025-07-Vacaya-Alaska-Gay-Cruise-152.jpeg]]And as night falls we head back to Seattle. Had a wonderful trip with our great friends and scooted right back to the desert after a long month away.