JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – For years, Tracy Arm has been a hallmark of cruises in southeast Alaska, drawing travelers with its stunning scenery characterized by steep mountains, shimmering waterfalls, and calving glaciers. However, due to safety concerns stemming from a significant landslide last summer, major cruise lines have opted to skip this majestic fjord during this season.
The landslide, which occurred on August 10, 2025, involved a glacier collapsing into the water, resulting in a tsunami that surged more than a quarter mile up the opposite mountain slope. Fortunately, no vessels were present in the fjord at the time, and there were no reported injuries. Nonetheless, kayakers in the area faced the loss of their gear due to the rushing water.
Travel agent Nate Vallier described Tracy Arm as the "majestic princess" of fjords, emphasizing its beauty and popularity. The alternative destination chosen by cruise and tour companies, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, while still lovely, does not compare to Tracy Arm's allure. Tracy Arm, located southeast of Juneau, spans approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) and is home to two tidewater glaciers, the North and South Sawyer, as well as diverse wildlife like seals and bears.
The region surrounding southeast Alaska is not unfamiliar with landslides, as it is mostly encompassed by a temperate rainforest. Although the fjord network in the Tracy Arm area has long been recognized as prone to landslides, the specific slope that failed had not been identified as a current hazard prior to last summer's incident, according to Gabriel Wolken, the manager of Alaska's climate and ice hazards program. Scientists are currently investigating the causes of the slope’s collapse and other potential hazards in the fjord to better understand the area’s instability.
Steven Sobieszczyk from the U.S. Geological Survey noted that landslide areas remain volatile for years, with continued rockfall and smaller slides expected from the exposed landslide scar. This variability raises further concerns about potential localized tsunamis in the future.
In response to the altered itineraries, several major cruise lines, including Holland America, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, have officially stated they are replacing Tracy Arm visits with those to Endicott Arm. Other companies, such as MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and regional tour provider Allen Marine, have similarly adjusted their routes, while Norwegian Cruise Line has avoided scheduling any voyages by Tracy Arm altogether.
Despite being a regular stop for some ships, Endicott Arm was previously used as an alternative whenever conditions in Tracy Arm were deemed unsafe, such as during periods of excess ice. Vallier expressed a desire for cruise lines to offer travelers more timely notifications regarding any changes to itineraries.
Tourists often list glacier viewing, especially of dynamic calving glaciers, as a top bucket-list experience. Tracy Arm has gained popularity for providing exactly that, contrasting with the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, which many visitors can only view from a distance across a large lake due to its significant retreat and limited visibility from most hiking locations.
Kimberly Lebeda from Wichita, Kansas, had looked forward to a Tracy Arm excursion for her family, enticed by the spectacular scenery she researched. However, they were informed just the night before their scheduled trek that they would be visiting Endicott Arm instead due to ice conditions in Tracy Arm. Following the transition, they boarded a smaller boat equipped with large glass windows, ample seating, and snacks, where they observed seals on ice floes and witnessed stunning calving from Dawes Glacier. Despite not experiencing Tracy Arm directly, she deemed the journey remarkable and worthwhile.
