Five gay cruise groups visit the coastal towns of southeast Alaska in 2010, but the big all-gay cruises that sailed here last year went to other locations this year.

The annual Pied Piper gay travel group joins a 7-night “Voyage of the Glaciers” cruise from August 13-20, docking in Juneau on Sunday August 15 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. aboard the Celebrity Millennium. A “Welcome to Juneau” reception will be held in the Jaded lounge from 4:30-7 p.m. If you’re in Juneau, come on down and say hello to the gay group!

The cruise sails from Seward on August 13, visiting Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait and Ketchikan before docking in Vancouver, Canada.

The gay-owned local travel company Out in Alaska is also running Glacier cruise groups in Southeast this year, 8 days between Seward and Vancouver, visiting Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. All three trips are full, so I guess they are popular.

“New for 2010 we are offering voyages on 3 luxurious cruises with Holland America Lines to or from Alaska that can be combined with our Land Trips. These cruises are an easy way to see Alaska and you can even bring your mom, kids, and extended family.”

The spring trip was in May-June. The summer and fall cruises are on August 15-22 and September 12-19.

“With our local knowledge and expertise, Out in Alaska is your best bet for a fun and authentic Alaska Vacation. You will get the local insiders’ perspective on the Last Frontier while experiencing the real Alaska that most tourists miss.”

Check out their Land Trips for the rest of 2010, and bookmark Out in Alaska for the 2011 cruise adventures.

The other gay cruise group coming to Alaska this year is the annual 7 night Aquafest hosted group on the Norwegian Pearl, leaving Seattle on September 5 and returning to Seattle on Sept. 12, visiting Juneau on the third day, Tuesday Sept. 7 from 2-10 p.m.