Cruise Companies Avoid Alaska's Tracy Arm Fjord After Massive 2025 Landslide
Key Takeaways
- Three major cruise lines skip Tracy Arm in 2026 due to safety concerns.
- Landslide last summer triggered a glacier-into-water event and a tsunami in Tracy Arm.
- Cruise itineraries are rerouted to avoid the fjord this season.
Tracy Arm Closure
Major cruise lines have decided to skip the popular Tracy Arm fjord after a massive landslide.
“At least three cruise lines have tweaked their 2026 itineraries to avoid the Tracy Arm Fjord south of Juneau, citing safety concerns after a major tsunami struck the area last August”
Cruise companies cited ongoing safety concerns with the still-hazardous slopes.
The landslide occurred on August 10, 2025, sending a surge of water more than a quarter mile up the opposite mountain wall.
No ships were in the fjord at the time, and there were no reported injuries.
The area remains unstable with continued risk of rockfall and small-scale sliding.
Travel agent Nate Vallier said, "Tracy Arm is the majestic princess, you know, she is the queen of fjords."
The first cruise ships of the 2026 season are scheduled to arrive in Ketchikan on April 21.
Alternative Excursion
Cruise companies are replacing Tracy Arm with visits to Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
Officials say it is still beautiful but just not the same.
Kimberly Lebeda was told the night before the stop they would go up Endicott instead.
Her family got off the ship and onto a smaller boat with glass windows and snacks.
They saw seals on ice floes, waterfalls and a wall of ice calve from Dawes Glacier.
She called it an amazing thing to witness.
Scientific and Safety Concerns
The slope that failed had not been identified as an active hazard before last summer's collapse.
The area remains unstable with continued risk of rockfall and small-scale sliding.
Experts say the safety precaution to avoid Tracy Arm is a good one.
Mike West said it is perfectly reasonable that there could be follow-on activity.
NOAA tsunami warning coordinator Dave Snider emphasized that risk is widespread in Southeast Alaska.
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