JUNEAU, Alaska — A beloved destination for Alaska cruise passengers has been removed from itineraries this season due to dangerous conditions created by a catastrophic landslide.
Tracy Arm, a spectacular 30-mile fjord southeast of Juneau known for its towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and active glaciers, is being bypassed by major cruise operators following last summer’s devastating slope collapse. The August 10th disaster sent massive amounts of debris into the waterway, triggered a tsunami, and launched waves more than a quarter-mile up the opposing mountainside.
Travel industry professional Nate Vallier described the impact of losing the destination: “Tracy Arm is the majestic princess, you know, she is the queen of fjords.”
Companies like Holland America, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages and regional operator Allen Marine are now taking passengers to the alternative location of Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier instead. While Vallier acknowledged this substitute remains “still beautiful by any means, but it’s just not the same.”
The fjord normally showcases two tidewater glaciers — the North and South Sawyer — along with abundant wildlife including seals and bears. However, the landslide originated on steep terrain above the South Sawyer glacier, sending water rushing through the entire fjord system.
Fortunately, no vessels were present during the incident and no casualties occurred, according to officials. However, kayakers camping on a nearby island between Tracy and Endicott arms lost most of their equipment to the surging waters.
Gabriel Wolken, who manages Alaska’s climate and ice hazards program, explained that while landslides are common in southeast Alaska’s temperate rainforest environment, this particular slope hadn’t been flagged as a risk before the collapse. Scientists are now working to determine what triggered the failure and identify other potential dangers in the area.
Steven Sobieszczyk from the U.S. Geological Survey warned that hazardous conditions persist. “Continued rockfall and small-scale sliding from the exposed landslide scar are expected and could impact the water, potentially causing a future localized tsunami,” he stated.
Travel agent Vallier, who operates Alaska Travel Desk, expressed frustration that cruise companies didn’t provide passengers with earlier notification about the itinerary modifications. The first ships of the new season are scheduled to arrive in Ketchikan on April 21st, with Juneau visits beginning the following week.
For many tourists, witnessing an active, calving glacier represents a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which has made Tracy Arm such a sought-after destination. While Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier attracts visitors to the capital city, many must view it from across a distant lake, and it has receded from several popular viewing spots.
Kansas resident Kimberly Lebeda had specifically researched and booked a Tracy Arm excursion for her family last year, drawn by descriptions of the scenery. However, the night before their scheduled visit, passengers learned they would visit Endicott Arm instead due to ice conditions in Tracy Arm.
Despite the change, Lebeda’s family joined other passengers on a smaller vessel equipped with panoramic windows, comfortable seating and refreshments. They observed seals resting on ice formations, dramatic waterfalls, and witnessed “a wall of ice” breaking away from Dawes Glacier.
She described the experience as “an amazing thing to witness.”
“Was it worth it? Yes, because I don’t know if I’ll ever get to do that trip again,” Lebeda reflected. “Again, I haven’t ever been to Tracy Arm so I can’t really compare. But to me, was it worth it and was it exciting? Absolutely.”
