Queen City Cruise: Tours, 1991-1995
1991: The Big One-Oh Tour
 "Northwest Inqueerier -- Publicity for 10th Cruise Click to enlarge.")
Tacky Tourist Clubs returned to its roots for the 10th Annual Queen City Cruise with another edition of The Inqueerier which had originally appeared as a publicity stunt for the first Cruise in '81. This eight-page tabloid-sized edition was bigger (as is appropriate for something to mark the big 10) but included the same kind of yellow journalism (but with more unreadable yellow ink) and even a reprise of a headline from the first Cruise.
Tickets were sold for the first time to a more elegant and mellower cruise alternative. Space aboard the Zodiac had been by invitation only for its rendevous with the Queen City Cruise in 1990. The outing was opened to ticket buyers in 1991. The sailing ship again rendevoused with the Queen City Cruise as it circuited Lake Union, much to the delight of the intrepid tourists on the tour boat who may have admired the big-masted boat, but certainly also admired the water-sports demonstrations by members of the Orca Swim Team aboard (and sometime diving off-board) the Zodiac.
The paper also promoted an event called "Out at the Ballgame" which offered group tickets to a Mariners v. Red Sox game at the "newly-refurbished Kingdome".
Costume-judging categories for the Queen City Cruise also returned to the event's roots with prizes awarded for these categories: Northwest Native, Palm Beach Punk, Salty Seafarer, and Smallest Small Town.
1992: A Midsummer Day's Scream
 "Northwest Inqueerier -- Publicity for 11th Cruise Click to enlarge.")
The Queen City Cruise again rendevoused with the tall schooner, Zodiac, on Lake Union. Tickets were offered either to the main Cruise boat or to either of two elegant parties on the Zodiac.
The Inqueerier appeared once again with an order form and information on the three cruises. (And with its typically unreliable headline takes on issues of the day.)
Bertha B. Miller served as cruise director for the 11th Annual Queen City Cruise, introducing performances by Lavanda Delarosa, James Williams, Danette Leonardi, Mark "Moms" Finley, and B.J. Stokey as Tinkerbelle.
Costume judging categories for what the Inqueerier labeled a "Wet, Dream Summer" were Jocks 'n' Frocks, Modern Mobility, Naughty Nautical, and Terribly Tropical.
1993: 12th Annual Queen City Cruise
 "Northwest Inqueerier -- Publicity for 12th Cruise Click to enlarge")
The Inqueerier appeared again for the 12th Cruise in a muddled aquamarine style. An inside headline declared "Military Muscle: Aquamarines have landed! May do maneuvers at Queen City Cruise on Saturday, July 31". What actually did maneuver toward the Goodtime as the Cruise entered Lake Union was the historic schooner Zodiac. Onboard, once again, was Seattle's Orca swim team instead of aquamarines, but nobody on the Cruise complained. As they displayed stylish dives from the deck of the schooner, the swimmers were greeted with loud cheers from intrepid tourists on the Cruise.
Other entertainment on the Goodtime decks and at the pre-boarding show featured Arnold and the Heatwavers, James Williams (of ROTC fame), Marcy Kraft, Kahlua Ice, Ivanna Star, and (of course) the intrepid tourists themselves.
Carol Sterling was cruise director with the irrepressable Bertha B. Miller as hostess. Costumes were judged in these categories: Cosmic Cowpoke, Mesozoic Mania, Pentagon Perversity, and Salty Seafarer.
1994: Liberty Tour
 "Publicity graphic for '94 Cruise. Click to enlarge")
With queer communities in the northwest facing another in a recent torrent of anti-gay initiatives, Tacky Tourist Clubs sponsored two summer events with names reminding everyone what was at stake: Liberty. The Queen City Cruise Liberty Tour took to the inland waters on its traditional Seafair Saturday date.
The Liberty Dance earlier in the summer on July 2 gave partiers a chance to declare their independence, but it was, as usual the Cruise that attracted the biggest crowds.
1995: Whirled Tour
In 1995, the Queen City Cruise was christened the Whirled Tour to help prepare the town for the
whirlwind excitement of the Gay World Series
later in the month.
We're going to take Dorothy and her friends for a ride. You'll be knocked off your feet by the Whirled Tour of The Queen City Cruise.
Also: Spirit Cruise, an evening cruise aboard the Spirit of Seattle. It was produced by Tacky Tourist Clubs in conjunction with the Gay World Series softball event. The evening tour aboard the Spirit of Seattle boat was held Friday, August 18.
