Cruise Lines Drop Alaska’s Tracy Arm After 2025 Landslide Tsunami
Major cruise operators serving southeast Alaska, including Holland America, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages and regional firm Allen Marine, are removing Tracy Arm fjord from their 2026 itineraries after a massive August 10, 2025 landslide there triggered a tsunami-scale wave. The slide, which originated high above South Sawyer Glacier, sent water more than a quarter mile up the opposite mountain wall and down the fjord, sweeping away kayakers’ gear but causing no deaths or injuries because no ships were inside the arm at the time. State scientists and the U.S. Geological Survey say the slide scar and surrounding slopes remain unstable, warning that continued rockfall and small-scale sliding could send more debris into the water and generate localized tsunamis. As a result, lines are substituting nearby Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, which operators and travel agents describe as scenic but not as dramatic as Tracy Arm’s twin tidewater glaciers, North and South Sawyer. The rerouting underscores how climate- and geology-driven hazards are forcing changes in Alaska’s glacier tourism, with safety concerns now directly reshaping high-revenue cruise experiences for U.S. and international travelers.
📌 Key Facts
- On Aug. 10, 2025, a landslide above South Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm sent a wave more than a quarter mile up the opposite mountain wall and down the fjord.
- No ships were in Tracy Arm during the slide; kayakers camping near the junction of Tracy and Endicott arms lost much of their gear but there were no reported injuries or deaths.
- For the 2026 cruise season, major lines are dropping Tracy Arm in favor of Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier due to what USGS describes as continued instability and potential for localized tsunamis.
📊 Relevant Data
The number of reported landslides in Alaska has increased significantly since the 1980s, with a dramatic rise in recent decades, attributed to climate change effects such as increased precipitation and glacial melt.
Climate change is making destructive landslides more common across Alaska, especially in Southeast — Alaska Public Media
Alaska Native communities face disproportionate impacts from climate-induced disasters like erosion, flooding, and landslides, with 29 communities experiencing significant erosion as of 2019, exacerbated by geographic vulnerabilities and historical land policies.
Addressing Climate Impacts in Alaska Native Tribes — Penn State Dickinson Law IDEAS
Cruise tourism contributed $375 million in direct spending in Juneau in 2023, representing a significant portion of the local economy, with visitor industry driven largely by cruise sectors in Southeast Alaska.
Economic Impact of Juneau's Cruise Industry — City and Borough of Juneau
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