Hi there!  The following is one of a multi-part series on 2009 gay cruises.  The purpose of each page is to give you useful information about the cruise at a glance.  Please feel free to discuss these cruises in the forums!  -Ed.

Cruise: Alaska: Vancouver to Seward

When: August 12^th to 19^th, 2009

Company/Offered Through: Coda

Type: Gay Group Cruise

Departs: Vancouver, British Columbia

Visits: Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan

Basic Itinerary:

Pricing Info:

Detailed Itinerary:

JULY 2-9, 2008

Glimpse an orca breaching the surface of a glassy bay from your own private balcony. Orshare exciting moments with like these with new found friends among Coda travelers. SevernSea’s Mariner’s space ratio is one of the highest at sea, so there is always plenty of room outon deck to marvel at the wonders.

Cruising on a smaller ship make a big difference in Alaska. After all, how can you feel moved by the majesty of it all when you’re waiting in line? Our tours allow a behind-the-scenes,hands-on experience of this vast frontier. You can go rappelling along the Yukon Trail or go-carting in a private forest reserve. Try bottom fishing for halibut and enjoy your catch for dinner.

Other one of a kind experiences we recommend are a magical catamaran cruises throughStephens Passage that guarantees humpback whales or a ride is a vintage parlor car on anhistoric steam engine train, and hike through the dense coastal rain forest and along theSkagway River. Then sit down to dinner with friends and experience is all over again whilesharing with them.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 — DEPART HOME CITY TO ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Depart your home city to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival, transfer to the Seven Seas Mariner in Seward, Alaska.During the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964, the residents of Seward were horrified to see a tidal wave over 100 feet tall wash away most of the waterfront. However,this charming town, embodying the famous Alaskan spirit and fortitude, was rebuilt and is now home to 3,000 residents. Seward was originally founded in 1903 as the southern terminus for the Alaska Railroad, a distinction it still holds today. Modern-day residents are primarily associated with commercial fishing, tourism and the railroad. The picturesque harbor with its

colorful wood-frame houses and background of soaring cliffs looks out on Resurrection Bay, sonamed by a band of Russians explorers who found this calm spot along the storm-tossed Gulfof Alaska on Easter Sunday. Seward is also the gateway to spectacular Kenai Fjords NationalPark, with its distinctive rock formations, massive glaciers and abundant wildlife, including acolony of 40,000 puffins. Seward is a scenic town flanked by rugged mountains on one side

and the salmon filled Resurrection Bay on the other. It is the only town on the eastern side ofthe Kenai Peninsula.

THURSDAY, JULY 3 — HUBBARD GLACIER CRUISING

Today we go Glacier Sightseeing. See the gigantic Hubbard Glacier–at 6 miles across, Alaska’slongest–at the head of Yakutat Bay. Listen for the popping and cracking and shedding of tonsof ice into the bay. as the ship gets close to the face of the glacier.

FRIDAY, JULY 4 — SITKA, ALASKA

In 1799, the Russian explorer Alexander Baranof founded New Archangel, a settlement adjacent to the Tlingit village of Sitka, This was the beginning of the first permanent Russian government settlement in North America. But three years later the settlement was destroyed by the Tlingit Indians in an attempt to reclaim their ancestral home. Their brief victory ended when Baranof returned in 1804, accompanied by Russian warships, and retook Sitka in the Battle of Alaska. Sitka became the Russian capital of North America. In 1867, the Imperial Russian flag was replaced by the Stars and Stripes when the United States purchased Alaska.

With the discovery of gold, and the rapid population growth that followed, Alaska’s capitalmoved north to Juneau in 1906. Today, picturesque Sitka, across the water from snow-cappedMount Edgecombe, is known for its fishing industry, an annual summer classical music festivaland, of course, its many historic visitor attractions. On a clear day Sitka, the only city inSoutheast Alaska that actually fronts the Pacific Ocean, rivals Juneau for the sheer beauty ofits surroundings.

SATURDAY, JULY 5 — TRACY ARM CRUISING

Tracy Arm, like Glacier Bay, is another fjord in the southeast that features tidewater glaciersand steep 2,000 foot granite walls that rise straight out of the water. This steep-sided fjord,50 miles southeast of Juneau, is highlighted by a pair of tidewater glaciers and a gallery oficebergs that float down the length of it. This 30-mile arm was an ideal choice for novicekayackers, as calm water is the norm here due to the protection the steep and narrow fjordwall provide. Seals and whales are often spotted while cruising Tracy Arm.

SATURDAY, JULY 5 — JUNEAU, ALASKA

In 1880, for Joe Juneau and Richard Harris, the going was slow and frustrating as they searched for gold with the help of Indian guides. Finally, after climbing mountains, forging streams and facing countless difficulties, they found nuggets “as large as beans.” Out of their discoveries came three of the largest gold mines in the world. By the end of World War II,more than USD$150 million in gold was mined. Eventually the mines closed, but the town Joe Juneau founded became the capital of Alaska and the business of gold was replaced by the business of government. Some 30,000 people live in Juneau and its total area makes it the biggest town, in size, in North and South America – and the second largest in the world. Only Kirunda, Sweden, with 5,458 square miles, exceeds Juneau’s 3,108 square miles. Few cities in the USA and none in Alaska are as beautiful as Juneau. Residents claim it is the most scenic capital in the country, while others describe it as a ‘little San Francisco’.

SUNDAY, JULY 6 — SKAGWAY, ALASKA

Skagway (population of 800), a place of many names, much history and little rain, is the northern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway. The town lies in the narrow plain of the Skagway River at the head of the Lynn Canal and, at one time or another, has been called Skaguay, Shkagway, and Gateway to the Golden Interior. It is known as the Home of the North Wind, and residents tell visitors that it blows so much here you will never breathe the same air twice. Skagway was known to thousands of hopeful gold rushers as the gateway tothe gold fields. Although it boasted the shortest route to the Klondike, it was far from being the easiest. Over a hundred years ago, the White Pass route through the Coast Mountains and the shorter, but steeper, Chilkoot Trail were used by countless stampeders. The treacherous Chilkoot Trail, combined with the area’s cruel elements, left scores dead. The gold rush was a boon to Skagway – by 1898 it was Alaska’s largest town with a population of about 20,000.The town’s hotels, saloons, dance halls and gambling houses prospered, drawing Skagway residents as well as the 10,000 people living in the tent city of nearby Dyea. But when the gold yield dwindled in 1900, so did the population of Skagway as the miners quickly shifted to new finds in Nome. Skagway retains the flavor of the gold rush era, especially on Broadway,with its false-front buildings, and in the Trail of ‘98 Museum, with its outstanding collection of memorabilia.

MONDAY, JULY 7 — KETCHIKAN, ALASKA

Ketchikan, otherwise known as the First City, has a population of almost 14,000 and is on thesouthwest side of Revillagigedo Island, only 90 miles north of Prince Rubert. It is the first stopthe ferry makes in Alaska so tourists pile off the boat for their first look at the north country,and rarely does Ketchikan disappoint them. The town grew around salmon canneries andsawmills. The first cannery was built in 1883, and at one time Ketchikan was proclaimed the”Salmon Capital of the World”, a title that reappeared in 1996 with a new welcome arch acrossMission Street. A sawmill was built in the center of Ketchikan in 1903, and in 1954 the hugeKetchikan Pulp Mill was constructed at Ward Cove. However, in the 1970s over-fishing nearlycollapsed the salmon fisheries while strikes began to mar the logging industry. If you stay inKetchikan longer than an hour, chances are good that it will rain at least once, if not severaltimes. The average annual rainfall is 162 inches, but has been known to be more than 200inches. Despite all the rain, the only people with umbrellas are tourists. First City residentsnever seem to use umbrellas , nor do they let the rain interfere with their daily activities, evenoutdoor ones, whether it be fishing, hiking, or having a softball game. If they stoppedeverything every time it rained, Ketchikan would cease to exist.

TUESDAY, JULY 8 — AT SEA

Enjoy a day at sea to relax, have spa treatments or take full advantages of the many amenities on board.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9 — VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA

This morning, disembark in Vancouver and transfer to the airport for your return flight to your home city.

Other Info:

Ship Info:

Seven Seas Marineris the world’s first all-suite, all-balcony ship, as well as the first to offer dining by the famed Le Cordon Bleu® of Paris in Signatures, one of four single, open-seating restaurants. Catering to only 700 guests, sheis one of the most spacious cruise ships afloat, and, her staff to guest ratio of 1 to 1.6 provides the highest level of personal service in the six-star tradition of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

All suites feature private balconies, European king-size beds convertible to twins, Anichini linens and feather-down duvets, a separate sitting area and marble-appointed bathroom with full bathtub and shower. There is a walk-in closet with safe; Anichini robes and cotton slippers, hair dryer; interactive television, DVD/CD player (In 2008, Regent Interactive Television with a large media selection will be introduced.), and refrigerator replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and bottled water. In-suite bar setup upon embarkation and Butler service available in Penthouse B suites and above. Wheelchair-accessible and triple suites are available. A limited number of suites feature a shower stall with no tub.

Seven Seas Marineris the world’s first all-suite, all-balcony ship, as well as the first to offer dining by the famed Le Cordon Bleu® of Paris in Signatures, one of four single, open-seating restaurants. Catering to only 700 guests, sheis one of the most spacious cruise ships afloat, and, her staff to guest ratio of 1 to 1.6 provides the highest level of personal service in the six-star tradition of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

All suites feature private balconies, European king-size beds convertible to twins, Anichini linens and feather-down duvets, a separate sitting area and marble-appointed bathroom with full bathtub and shower. There is a walk-in closet with safe; Anichini robes and cotton slippers, hair dryer; interactive television, DVD/CD player (In 2008, Regent Interactive Television with a large media selection will be introduced.), and refrigerator replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and bottled water. In-suite bar setup upon embarkation and Butler service available in Penthouse B suites and above. Wheelchair-accessible and triple suites are available. A limited number of suites feature a shower stall with no tub.

1. All-suite, all-balcony accommodations for 700 guests
2. Suites range in size from 301 to 2,002 sq. ft., including balcony
3. Emphasis is on providing 700 guests a memorable experience, aboard and ashore, for those who appreciate unsurpassed service, attention to detail and elegant, relaxed surroundings
4. All-inclusive beverage program including soft drinks, hot beverages and select wines and spirits served throughout the ship
5. Four dining venues to choose from including Signatures Restaurant dedicated to Le Cordon Bleu® cuisine
6. All onboard gratuities included

Complimentary 24-hour room service

1. All-suite, all-balcony accommodations for 700 guests
2. Suites range in size from 301 to 2,002 sq. ft., including balcony
3. All-inclusive beverage program including soft drinks, hot beverages and fine wines and premium spirits served throughout the ship
4. All onboard gratuities are included
5. Butler service in higher categories, including in-suite bar setup and SoundDock® for iPod®
6. Four dining venues to choose from including Signatures Restaurant, dedicated to Le Cordon Bleu cuisine
7. Single, open-seating dining
8. Complimentary 24-hour room service
9. Full entertainment program
10. Port-intensive itineraries
11. Guest lecturer program
12. Interactive television with extensive media selection
13. Club.com computer center
14. Wireless Internet access throughout the ship

24-hour complimentary Coffee Corner