This season, however, major cruise lines are opting out. A significant landslide last summer caused parts of a glacier to fall into the water, creating a tsunami that surged up the opposite mountain wall. Several companies have cited safety concerns regarding the still-dangerous slopes.
“Tracy Arm is the majestic princess, the queen of fjords,” remarked travel agent Nate Vallier.
As an alternative, cruise and tour companies are directing travelers to nearby Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, which, while beautiful, simply does not compare, he explained.
Tracy Arm, situated southeast of Juneau, stretches roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) and features two tidewater glaciers—the North and South Sawyer—and a variety of wildlife, including seals and bears.
Early on August 10, 2025, a landslide from a high slope above the South Sawyer’s toe sent a surge of water more than a quarter mile (over half a kilometer) up the opposite mountain wall and out of Tracy Arm.
No vessels were present in the fjord at the time, officials reported, and there were no fatalities or injuries. However, kayakers camping on an island near the confluence of Tracy and Endicott arms lost much of their equipment due to the rushing waters.
Southeast Alaska, predominantly located within a temperate rainforest, frequently experiences landslides. Though the fjord network in the Tracy Arm area has long been acknowledged as susceptible, the particular slope that failed had not been previously identified as an active hazard, according to Gabriel Wolken, who manages the state’s climate and ice hazards program.
Scientists are currently investigating not only the cause of the slope’s failure but also what other potential hazards may exist within the fjord, he added.
The region remains unstable, warned Steven Sobieszczyk, a U.S. Geological Survey representative. Steep landslide areas can undergo changes for years following an initial slide, he indicated via email.
“Ongoing rockfall and small-scale sliding from the exposed landslide scar are anticipated and could affect water levels, potentially leading to a future localized tsunami,” he stated.
Major cruise lines, including Holland America, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, confirmed to The Associated Press that they are substituting Tracy Arm visits with itineraries to Endicott Arm. MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and regional tour operator Allen Marine are also adapting their plans to visit Endicott and Dawes Glacier instead. Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it will not be sailing near Tracy Arm.
Endicott has already served as a stop for some ships and has been used as an alternative when conditions in Tracy Arm, such as excessive ice, were deemed unsafe.
Vallier, owner of the Alaska Travel Desk, expressed a desire for cruise companies to provide travelers with more advance warning about changes to their itineraries.
After leaving Seattle, the first ships of the season are scheduled to arrive in Ketchikan on April 21 and in Juneau the following week.
For many tourists, witnessing a glacier—especially a dynamic, calving one—is a bucket-list experience, which has contributed to the popularity of Tracy Arm. Although the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau attracts significant attention in the capital city and cruise port, many visitors only view it from across a large lake, as it has retreated from sight from certain hiking overlooks.
Kimberly Lebeda from Wichita, Kansas, felt thrilled when she booked a Tracy Arm excursion for her family last year. Having researched the area, she was captivated by the scenery.
However, the night before their scheduled visit, they were informed that due to ice conditions in Tracy Arm, they would be visiting Endicott instead. Her family joined others in boarding a smaller boat equipped with glass windows, ample seating, and snacks. They encountered seals on ice floes, waterfalls, and even witnessed “a wall of ice” calve from Dawes Glacier, she recounted.
She described it as “an amazing thing to witness.”
“Was it worth it? Yes, because I don’t know if I’ll ever have the chance to experience that trip again,” she reflected. “While I’ve never been to Tracy Arm and can’t truly compare, I found it worthwhile and exhilarating. Absolutely.”
