For years, sailing up Tracy Arm has been a highlight of many southeast Alaska cruises, offering passengers breathtaking views of a long, narrow fjord marked by steep mountains, glittering waterfalls, and calving glaciers. However, this season, major cruise lines are conspicuously avoiding this iconic destination due to significant safety concerns following a massive landslide last summer.
Landslide Triggers Tsunami and Ongoing Hazards
On August 10, 2025, a landslide originating high on a slope above the toe of the South Sawyer Glacier, near the head of Tracy Arm, sent parts of the glacier crashing into the water. This event generated a tsunami that pushed a wave more than a quarter mile up the opposite mountain wall and surged out through the fjord. Fortunately, no ships were present at the time, and no deaths or injuries were reported, though kayakers camped on a nearby island had much of their gear swept away by the rushing water.
Scientists Warn of Continued Instability
According to Gabriel Wolken, manager of Alaska's climate and ice hazards program, while the Tracy Arm region has long been known to be susceptible to landslides, the specific slope that failed had not been identified as an active hazard prior to the collapse. Steven Sobieszczyk, a U.S. Geological Survey spokesperson, emphasized that the area remains unstable, with steep landslide areas continuing to change for years after an initial slide. He noted via email that continued rockfall and small-scale sliding from the exposed landslide scar are expected, potentially causing future localized tsunamis that could impact the water.
Cruise Companies Opt for Safer Alternatives
In response to these hazards, major cruise companies including Holland America, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean have confirmed they are replacing Tracy Arm visits with excursions to nearby Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Other operators such as MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and regional tour company Allen Marine are following suit, while Norwegian Cruise Line stated it does not have voyages sailing by Tracy Arm. Endicott Arm has previously served as an alternative when conditions in Tracy Arm, such as excess ice, were unsafe, and it is now becoming a primary stop for many ships.
Travel Agent and Tourist Perspectives
Travel agent Nate Vallier, who owns the Alaska Travel Desk, described Tracy Arm as the majestic princess and queen of fjords, expressing disappointment that the alternative, while still beautiful, is not the same. He also noted that he would have preferred cruise companies to give travelers more advance notice about itinerary changes, especially as the first ships of the season are due in Ketchikan and Juneau in late April.
For many tourists, seeing a dynamic, calving glacier is a bucket-list item, which has contributed to Tracy Arm's popularity. Kimberly Lebeda of Wichita, Kansas, shared her experience of booking a Tracy Arm excursion last year, only to be redirected to Endicott Arm due to ice conditions. Despite the change, she found the trip worthwhile, describing sightings of seals on ice floes, waterfalls, and a calving Dawes Glacier as an amazing thing to witness, though she acknowledged she cannot compare it to Tracy Arm.
Broader Implications for Alaska Tourism
Southeast Alaska, largely encompassed by a temperate rainforest, is no stranger to landslides, but this event highlights ongoing risks in the region's fjord network. Scientists are actively working to understand what caused the slope collapse and to identify other potential hazards in Tracy Arm. As cruise lines adjust their routes, the tourism industry faces challenges in balancing visitor expectations with safety, underscoring the need for clear communication and contingency planning in the face of natural disasters.
