Published on : 22 Apr 2026
🔴 SEASON ALERT — APRIL 2026 Closure Status: Tracy Arm Fjord — closed to all cruise ships for entire 2026 season Reason: August 10, 2025 megatsunami landslide — area remains geologically unstable Cruise Lines Affected: Royal Caribbean · Holland America · Carnival · MSC Cruises · Virgin Voyages · Oceania + more Alternative Destination: Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier Alaska Season Opens: April 21, 2026 (Ketchikan) — ships arrive Juneau the following week Who This Affects: Every passenger booked on an Alaska cruise in 2026 that previously featured Tracy Arm Compensation: Shore excursion refunds where applicable — no cruise fare refunds for itinerary changes
If you have an Alaska cruise booked for summer 2026 and Tracy Arm Fjord was on your itinerary, it is no longer there. The closure is permanent for this season — and the reason is one of the most dramatic geological events in Alaskan history.
Major cruise lines have stopped visiting the popular Tracy Arm fjord in Southeast Alaska this season after a massive landslide last summer sent parts of a glacier crashing into the water, generated a tsunami and pushed a wave high up the opposite mountain wall.
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 2026 Alaska season is now underway — the first cruise ships of the 2026 season are scheduled to arrive in Ketchikan on April 21, with ships arriving in Juneau the following week. That means passengers are boarding right now — some only just discovering their itinerary has changed. If you haven’t yet received notification from your cruise line, check your booking immediately.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Closure reason | August 10, 2025 megatsunami landslide |
| Landslide volume | ~100 million cubic metres — largest in Alaska in a decade |
| Tsunami run-up height | 470–500 metres (1,500–1,600 ft) opposite the landslide |
| Scale comparison | Among the highest tsunamis recorded in the 21st century |
| Injuries/fatalities | None — no ships were in the fjord at the time |
| Season closure | Full 2026 season — no return date confirmed |
| Alternative destination | Endicott Arm + Dawes Glacier |
| Cruise lines affected | Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Carnival, MSC, Virgin Voyages, Oceania + more |
| Alaska season start | April 21, 2026 — Ketchikan |
| USGS ongoing risk | Continued rockfall and small-scale sliding expected |
To understand why every cruise line made the same decision, you need to understand what happened at Tracy Arm on the morning of August 10, 2025.
At 5:30 am local time, more than 100 million cubic metres of rock and earth suddenly detached from a steep mountainside above South Sawyer Glacier, crashing into the narrow confines of Tracy Arm fjord. The resulting displacement of water created a megatsunami that reached an estimated run-up height of 500 metres — higher than all but one of New York City’s tallest buildings.
The landslide generated a tsunami at least 30 metres (approximately 100 ft) high at Sawyer Island, a small island located where the fjords containing South Sawyer and North Sawyer glaciers meet. The tsunami was also recorded far from the landslide on a NOAA coastal tide gauge in Juneau. The maximum tsunami wave height at the gauge was 36 cm above the tide, and the waves continued for hours.
The water in Tracy fjord sloshed back and forth every minute for 35 hours after the landslide hit the water — a seiche, a standing wave trapped in the fjord like water sloshing in a bathtub.
The scale of destruction visible when scientists flew in days later was extraordinary. A USGS geophysicist who conducted the aerial survey described the scene: “The wave had run up to 1,500-ish feet. And that, I think, kind of took us aback. We knew that there was likely a splash on the other side, but we didn’t realize how big it was.” Around the corner in Williams Cove, he said it was “like a bulldozer had gone through to about 80 feet above sea level at the head of the cove.”
The proximity to regular cruise traffic made the timing of the event particularly striking. USGS Geophysicist Cyrus Read said: “I mean, I hope I don’t have to see it again. I think we really dodged a bullet here, right? There are frequent cruise ships up in that area in Tracy Arm. And if one had been there at that time, it could have been a real problem.”
The landslide itself was not triggered by an earthquake. The event appears to have been gravity-driven, a consequence of glacial retreat, thawing permafrost, and steep, saturated slopes — a stark warning of how climate-related factors are interacting with Earth’s most fragile topographies.
The one-time landslide event is not the reason cruise ships can’t return. It is the ongoing instability that follows — and scientists have been unambiguous about the risk.
The USGS stated: “Steep, mountainous landslide areas are inherently unstable and will continue to change for years following an initial landslide. Continued rockfall and smaller-scale landslide events from the exposed landslide scar are expected and could impact the water, potentially causing future local tsunami. As such, this area remains hazardous.”
Gabriel Wolken, manager of the state of Alaska’s climate and ice hazards program, said that the slope that failed had not been identified as an active hazard before last summer’s collapse. Scientists are working to understand not only what caused the slope to collapse but to understand what other hazards might exist in the fjord.
Steven Sobieszczyk, a USGS spokesperson, stated: “Continued rockfall and small-scale sliding from the exposed landslide scar are expected and could impact the water, potentially causing a future localised tsunami.”
The verdict from the scientific community is clear: Tracy Arm cannot safely host large cruise vessels while the landslide scar above the fjord continues to shed material. No timeline has been given for when — or whether — that changes.
Royal Caribbean communications, shared with booked guests, stated the company would “no longer” cruise Tracy Arm Fjord in 2026 due to landslide and navigation concerns.
The revised routes have already affected several Royal Caribbean sailings, including voyages of Serenade of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, with changes affecting both departure times and shore excursions. Voyager of the Seas’ first impacted sailing departs on May 15, 2026. Passengers with pre-booked shore excursions through Royal Caribbean will have their bookings automatically adjusted. If the new times interfere with excursions, passengers will receive full refunds for any affected tours.
Holland America Line removed Tracy Arm excursions from across its entire 2026 Alaska season, substituting Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier cruising. Holland America operates the largest Alaska fleet of any major cruise line — its 2026 season includes multiple ships across Inside Passage, Glacier Discovery, and Denali & Glacier routes. Every one of these itineraries that previously featured Tracy Arm has been redrawn.
Carnival Cruise Line sent letters to affected passengers explaining that “the waterways in the area are currently not suitable for cruise ship navigation,” redirecting ships to alternative fjords.
Carnival ships now offer scenic cruising at Endicott Arm Fjord as the replacement destination, further solidifying the region as a top destination despite the challenges presented by Tracy Arm’s unstable conditions.
In an official statement sent to guests who had already booked their trips, MSC explained that the ice conditions and geological instability surrounding Tracy Arm Fjord made it impossible to safely navigate the area. MSC Poesia is scheduled to arrive in Seattle on May 11, 2026, marking the beginning of its inaugural season in Alaska.
MSC’s decision is particularly significant because this is its debut Alaska season. The world’s second-largest cruise line chose its first-ever Alaska deployment in 2026 and is already having to reroute on day one.
Virgin Voyages, launching its inaugural Alaska season in 2026, adjusted first-generation itineraries to exclude Tracy Arm. The adults-only line pledged a “reimagined scenic program” centered on Endicott Arm instead.
The following cruise lines have confirmed they will not be visiting Tracy Arm in 2026: Oceania Cruises and others. These lines have instead chosen to shift their routes to Endicott Arm and to Dawes Glacier, which offers spectacular views and a safer environment for larger ships.
The universal alternative chosen by every cruise line is Endicott Arm — a parallel fjord that shares the Holkham Bay entrance with Tracy Arm and is located just a short distance away.
Endicott Arm delivers remarkably similar visual rewards. Steep granite walls, floating glacial ice, cascading waterfalls, and Dawes Glacier at the fjord’s head create an equally dramatic setting. Cruise specialists and regional tourism sources confirm that Dawes Glacier rivals South Sawyer Glacier in visual impact. Ships navigating through ice conditions can approach within comparable viewing distances, offering the calving-glacier moments travelers expect from Alaska cruising.
The key practical difference: Endicott Arm has served as a backup destination for years when Tracy Arm experienced ice blockages or weather delays. This existing operational familiarity is now being scaled into the default 2026 plan. The primary difference lies in marketing and historical precedent rather than actual scenery or experience quality.
| Feature | Tracy Arm | Endicott Arm |
|---|---|---|
| Length | ~30 miles | ~30 miles |
| Main Glacier | North & South Sawyer (tidewater twins) | Dawes Glacier (tidewater) |
| Fjord Width | Very narrow — adds drama | Somewhat wider |
| Granite Walls | Extreme — near-vertical cliffs | Very dramatic |
| Wildlife | Seals, bears, eagles | Seals, bears, eagles |
| Ice (bergs/bergy bits) | High | Moderate–high depending on season |
| Ship navigation | Was technically challenging | Easier for large vessels |
| 2026 availability | ❌ CLOSED | ✅ OPEN |
The honest assessment from travel agents and regional operators is that most passengers who visit Endicott Arm come away genuinely satisfied — particularly those who haven’t been to Tracy Arm before. The shift to Endicott Arm, while still beautiful, is seen as a less majestic alternative that may disappoint some visitors expecting the full Tracy Arm experience. But Dawes Glacier is a genuine world-class spectacle, and for first-time Alaska cruisers, the difference will be minimal.
This is the most practical concern for passengers who had pre-booked Tracy Arm-specific excursions. The situation varies by how you booked.
You are protected. For passengers with pre-booked shore excursions through the cruise line, bookings will be automatically adjusted to reflect new port arrival and departure times. If the new times interfere with excursions, passengers will receive full refunds for any affected tours.
Guests who have booked independent shore excursions are encouraged to confirm their plans with operators to ensure everything runs smoothly during the revised sailing. Contact your tour operator immediately. Most reputable Alaska small-boat operators will have shifted to Endicott Arm alternatives and can adapt your booking. Check specifically whether your Tracy Arm kayak or small-boat tour operator offers an Endicott Arm equivalent.
No. Cruise lines have no legal obligation to reduce or refund the cruise fare when an itinerary is altered for safety reasons. Itinerary changes due to safety, weather, or operational circumstances are covered in standard cruise contracts as events beyond the line’s control. If you booked specifically for Tracy Arm and feel you were not adequately notified, your options are a complaint through your cruise line’s customer service process or — in the US — through the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).
Cruise Critic reports that affected passengers are receiving notifications ranging from several months to mere weeks before scheduled departures, creating significant disruption for those who specifically booked to experience Tracy Arm’s twin Sawyer Glaciers and canyon-like fjord walls.
Travel agent Nate Vallier, quoted widely in Alaska local media, expressed frustration that some cruise companies did not provide adequate advance notice to travel agents, making it difficult to counsel clients before they confirmed bookings.
Tracy Arm is not the only context for your Alaska cruise planning. Here is the full 2026 picture for Tier 1 passengers from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Alaska cruises typically depart from Seattle (most common), San Francisco, or Vancouver. The major hubs — Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka — are all operating normally. The Tracy Arm closure affects only the scenic cruising component of the itinerary, not any port calls. Your ports are unchanged. Only the between-port scenery on one day has shifted from Tracy Arm to Endicott Arm.
Alaska cruises are strongly popular among Australian travellers, typically booked as part of a broader North America itinerary. The most common route for Australians is fly-cruise into Vancouver or Seattle. The change from Tracy Arm to Endicott Arm has no effect on the fly-cruise logistics. The Dawes Glacier alternative is by any objective measure a world-class spectacle. Australian passengers booking late-season (July–August) sailings will find Dawes Glacier at its peak calving activity.
Vancouver remains the primary departure port for Alaskan cruises, operating normally. Canadian passengers on Holland America, Princess, and Norwegian sailings departing Vancouver will find all port calls intact with only the scenic cruising day adjusted.
UK passengers predominantly book Alaska cruises as fly-cruise packages via Seattle or Vancouver. The Tracy Arm closure does not affect any practical logistics of the fly-cruise journey. For UK package holiday passengers, Package Travel Regulations 2018 give you the right to cancel and receive a full refund if a “significant proportion of services” cannot be provided — though a single scenic cruising substitution is unlikely to meet this threshold. Speak to your tour operator if you believe the change materially alters your holiday.
Not necessarily — but there is no reopening date on the horizon.
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 conditions and safety assessments.
The U.S. Geological Survey continues to monitor Tracy Arm closely. Scientists are focused on understanding the dynamics of the area’s geology, including how climate change may contribute to the acceleration of glacial retreat and increased instability in the region. A detailed geo-monitoring program has been put in place to track future landslide events and determine whether the fjord could eventually be safe for ships again. Though cruise lines have revised their routes for 2026, they have not completely closed the door on Tracy Arm.
The scientific consensus is that the landslide scar will continue to shed material for years — potentially a decade or more. The question of whether Tracy Arm returns to Alaska cruise itineraries in 2027, 2028 or beyond depends entirely on geological reassessment. Until the USGS and cruise line safety teams jointly determine the risk profile has normalised, the world’s most spectacular narrow glacier fjord will remain off the map for passenger ships.
Tracy Arm Fjord — Alaska’s most celebrated glacier corridor, once described by travel agents as “the queen of fjords” — is missing from every major 2026 Alaska cruise itinerary following last August’s catastrophic megatsunami. The event, which produced a wall of water reaching 500 metres high, left behind a landslide scar that USGS scientists warn could continue shedding material and generating localised tsunamis for years.
The good news: Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier are genuine world-class alternatives. First-time Alaska cruisers will find them every bit as dramatic. Shore excursion refunds are being processed. No ports of call are affected. Your Alaska cruise is still one of the most spectacular voyages on the planet — just with a different glacier view on one of those days.
The bad news: if Tracy Arm was why you booked, no-one can tell you when it’s coming back — because the mountain above it still hasn’t finished moving.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey — 2025 Tracy Arm Landslide-Generated Tsunami (official event page, August 2025); Alaska Earthquake Center — Major Landslide in Southeast Alaska Fjord (August 10, 2025); USGS Geophysicist Cyrus Read — firsthand account, Alaska’s News Source (March 8, 2026)
Posted By : Vinay
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