Tracy Arm Fjord, long regarded as a defining feature of Alaskan cruise itineraries, will be absent from sailings during the 2026 season as major companies revise routes in response to safety concerns.
The scenic waterway, situated within the Tongass National Forest and approx 45 mi/70 km from Juneau, has historically been included as a scenic cruising passage, offering views of the North and South Sawyer glaciers.
For many years, vessels operated by large companies such as MSC and RCI-Royal Caribbean International transited the fjord during peak summer months, allowing passengers to observe glacial landscapes from shipboard vantage points. Although not a port of call in the conventional sense, the area has remained a notable highlight of regional itineraries.
The decision to remove Tracy Arm from schedules follows a landslide event in the previous year, during which a substantial mass of ice and debris entered the water, generating a localized tsunami and significant wave activity. While no cruise vessels were present at the time, the incident underscored the potential hazards associated with navigating the fjord under unstable conditions.
Ongoing concerns regarding glacial retreat and geological instability have further contributed to the reassessment of risk.
In communications to passengers, operators indicated that prevailing ice conditions and instability in the fjord currently preclude safe navigation. It was conveyed that these factors, being beyond operational control, necessitated itinerary adjustments despite the likelihood of passenger disappointment. Safety considerations were cited as the primary determinant, with waterways deemed unsuitable for large vessel transit.
As an alternative, several cruise lines, including CCL-Carnival Cruise Line and HAL-Holland America Line, have redirected itineraries toward Endicott Arm and the Dawes Glacier. This route, located at a greater distance from Juneau, offers a comparable glacial setting, though with differing geographical characteristics, including steep granite formations and reduced ice concentration.
At present, operators have not indicated whether the exclusion of Tracy Arm will extend beyond the 2026 season, leaving the fjord’s return to cruise itineraries dependent on future environmental and navigational assessments.