Major cruise lines are cancelling all scheduled 2026 Alaska cruises and excursions into Tracy Arm Fjord citing unstable “geological conditions.” The decision is being made due to a massive landslide that transpired in August 2025 near South Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm, which triggered a tsunami.
The US Geological Survey, the nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, has 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 a future local tsunami. As such, this area remains hazardous.”
To date, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Virgin Voyages have canceled all Tracy Arm Fjord scenic cruising and excursions. The cruise lines have all replaced Tracy Arm Fjord with Endicott Arm Fjord, located in the Tongass National Forest. Endicott Arm, while close to Tracy Arm, is considered a safer option. The entrance point to both fjords is at Holkham Bay just south of Juneau, Alaska. The option to replace Tracy Arm with scenic cruising through Endicott Arm also gives passengers a close-up view of Dawes Glacier which is actively calving.
Carnival Cruise Line schedule changes include voyages on Carnival Miracle, Carnival Spirit and Carnival Luminosa. Holland America Line schedule changes include voyages on Koningsdam, Noordam, Zaandam, and Eurodam. Virgin Voyages schedule changes include voyages on Brilliant Lady including her MerMaiden voyage in the region. All cruises are scheduled between April and September.
Each cruise line is offering a different excursion in Endicott Arm to replace what may have been scheduled for Tracy Arm. Virgin Voyages has not made that excursion known yet, but has stated it can only be booked once onboard this time.