Major cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Virgin Voyages, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises have pulled planned visits to Tracy Arm Fjord just weeks out from the 2026 Alaska cruise season, citing ongoing safety concerns following last year’s landslide-triggered tsunami.
The operators are instead rerouting ships to nearby Endicott Arm Fjord, a comparable glacier-viewing destination located around 50 miles south of Juneau.
The changes follow a landslide when a large section of a glacier collapsed into the fjord, above the South Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm on 10 August last year generating a tsunami, with the United States Geological Survey warning the area remains unstable.
“Steep, mountainous landslide areas are inherently unstable and will continue to change for years following an initial landslide,” the agency said, noting the risk of further rockfall and smaller landslides that could trigger additional localised tsunamis.
The narrow passage, framed by rugged wilderness, has long been considered one of the region’s most scenic cruising experiences. The event raised concerns about the stability of surrounding slopes, which remain potentially hazardous.
Citing passenger safety and ongoing geological risks, cruise operators have opted to alter itineraries, reflecting a more cautious approach as conditions in the area continue to be assessed.
Oceania Cruises spokesperson said regional pilots consider it unsafe to transit the fjord, reinforcing the industry-wide shift.
Endicott Arm, now serving as the primary alternative, offers a different but still compelling experience. The wider waterway leads to Dawes Glacier and is known for dramatic cliffs and waterfalls cascading into the fjord.
For travel advisors, the late itinerary changes present both a challenge and an opportunity. Advisors can instead position the change as a chance to experience a different side of Alaska’s wilderness, with Endicott offering its own scenic appeal.
Not all operators are making the switch. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions said it is continuing to monitor conditions but has no current plans to alter its Tracy Arm calls.
The itinerary reshuffle comes as Alaska prepares for a busier-than-ever cruise season. According to Cruise Lines International Association, six additional ships will operate in the region this year, increasing pressure on already limited scenic cruising sites.
With access to Glacier Bay National Park tightly controlled by the National Park Service, cruise lines are increasingly reliant on alternative fjords like Tracy Arm and now Endicott to deliver Alaska’s signature glacier experiences.
