About the Port
South of Juneau, Tracy Arm and its sister fjord Endicott Arm cut deep into the Coast Mountains, their granite walls rising sheer from waters streaked with glacial silt. Carved over thousands of years by advancing and retreating ice, the narrow channels funnel toward tidewater glaciers where chunks of ancient ice periodically calve into the sea with a thunderous crack. Icebergs of every size drift past in shades of blue and white, while waterfalls thread down the cliff faces from hanging valleys above.
Wildlife often appears along the way, from harbor seals resting on ice floes to mountain goats picking across distant slopes. Because access depends on ice conditions and channel depth, itineraries may favor whichever fjord offers the clearer passage that day. No landing is involved; the experience unfolds entirely from the water, making binoculars and warm layers worthwhile companions on deck.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Sailing by the Tracy Arm Glacier.
Watch the Glacier Calve
Position at the bow or an upper deck as the ship approaches South Sawyer or Dawes Glacier, where towers of blue ice occasionally crack and crash into the fjord. Patience pays off—bring a camera with a zoom lens and dress warmly for the icy air drifting off the water.
Scan the Cliffs for Wildlife
Keep binoculars ready for harbor seals hauled out on ice floes near the glacier face and mountain goats navigating the sheer granite slopes above. Early morning hours on deck often bring the best sightings before crowds gather.
Trace the Hanging Waterfalls
As the ship threads deeper into the fjord, dozens of waterfalls spill from hanging valleys hundreds of feet up the rock walls. Stake out a spot on the port or starboard side depending on the day's route for unobstructed views.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Sailing by the Tracy Arm Glacier
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2027 | Ritz Carlton | Luminara | 9 | $14,600 | |
| Jun 5, 2027 | Ritz Carlton | Luminara | 9 | $15,800 | |
| Jun 28, 2027 | Ritz Carlton | Luminara | 8 | $14,100 | |
| Jul 20, 2027 | Ritz Carlton | Luminara | 8 | $14,100 |