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These glaciers are even more mesmerizing up close than Sawyer Glacier. Entering Tracy Arm Fjord, steep slopes enrobed in emerald forests ascend dramatically from the fjord’s deep azure waters. Enormous icebergs drift past, detached from the twin tidewater glaciers farther inland. Resounding cracks echo through the mountains as chunks of ice split off and submerged into the sea. Approaching the actively calving glaciers, the air becomes markedly chillier. The glaciers’ vibrant blue compressed ancient ice emerges, streaked with bands of rock and sediment from the valley walls.
Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier Cruise
Obviously, getting really close provides a more thrilling experience. Of the two, South Sawyer Glacier is larger and more accessible to reach. As North Sawyer retreats, the narrow passage becomes more hazardous and less maneuverable for larger cruise ships. At the end of the fjord, cruise lines open up the viewing areas at the bow, allowing closer views of the icebergs and towering glacier. We find it gets crowded, so arrive early for the prime front row standing spots. Cruise ships must navigate through the narrow fjord to reach the glacier at the end of the arm.
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I have been cruising since 2004 and have sailed on dozens of cruises all over the world. As the creator of this website, I want to help families plan fun cruises free of stress and filled with adventure! The untapped beauty of Tracy Arm is its most significant drawcard.
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Sometimes, ships don’t enter Tracy Arm Fjord in the shoulder season due to too much fog or ice. It’s important to consider the size of the ship and the amenities offered when choosing a cruise line. A smaller ship gives closer access to the glaciers and wildlife, while a larger ship may offer more amenities and activities.
Once you get chilled, step inside your cabin, and enjoy the views from behind the glass. It doesn’t matter whether you have a port or starboard stateroom because you’ll enjoy one side sailing in and the other going out. Once you reach the Sawyer Glacier, you’ll be captivated by its vivid blue tones. The ice in Tracy Arm is dense and absorbs all colors except blue.
Sawyer Glacier is an active tidewater glacier, which means it “calves” or breaks off. Pieces of ice anywhere from the size of a small car to a cruise ship fall off the face of the glacier and hit the water with a thunderous roar. No matter how many times you visit Sawyer Glacier, it is always a thrill to see a calving event. As the channel to the glacier narrows, it’s possible that cruise ships won’t have access in the future. North Sawyer or Sawyer Glacier may not be as impressive, maybe due to its accessibility. As it retreats, the narrowing channel makes it difficult for larger cruise ships to maneuver.
Allen Marine operates the tour, which typically lasts six hours and includes stunning views of the fjord, waterfalls, and wildlife. We have cruised there multiple times and find Tracy Arm Fjord to be an unforgettable experience. It allows visitors to get up close and personal with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Are you ready to cruise to Tracy Arm fjord, one of the “most dramatically stunning fjords in Alaska”? A cruise to Tracy Arm Fjord contrasts significantly with an itinerary to Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier.
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Booking through your cruise line’s website is the most expedient and effortless way to book a trip, and includes several built-in benefits and guarantees. Because you are booking directly through your ship, your tickets will be ready ahead of time, and often hand-delivered to your stateroom. You are also guaranteed to make it back to your ship before it departs – the ship will stay in port if your shore excursion runs late. The value you receive by booking through your cruise line is truly outstanding.
To fully enjoy the outside observation decks, we recommend participants bring a warm, rainproof jacket, hat & gloves. The tour will disembark next to the cruise ship in downtown Juneau. For the best glacier viewing, visit Tracy Arm Fjord in mid to late summer. Choose a trip into the back of the fjord to see the stunning twin tidewater glaciers. Pack binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens to capture the splendor. Combine the cruise with a helicopter glacier landing or kayaking for more perspectives.
Alternatively, Seabourn Quest and American Constellation offer an intimate ship experience. June through September provides the best months for visitation when the weather is generally mild and the days are long. However, some cruise lines sail to Tracy Arm Fjord as early as May or even late April. Tracy Arm Fjord is in the Southeast Alaskan panhandle, a little south of Juneau.
We recommend packing a waterproof jacket, gloves, a hat, warm socks, and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glacial glare. Compact binoculars are handy to help spot harbor seals on icebergs and mountain goats high on the cliffs. From June onward, you can expect to see a lot of wildlife, including harbor seals, sea lions, and various bird species. Where the fjord meets Holkham Bay, humpback whales may welcome your arrival.
The larger of the two, South Sawyer Glacier is simply stunning and goes deep underwater. Look for wildlife—seals like to rest on ice floes with their young because they're safer from whales. Mountain goats also love the cliffs near the North Sawyer Glacier.
Enjoy a boating tour of Hardangerfjord — one of the world’s longest fjords — and hike through lush forests to towering waterfalls. Unlike in Tracy Arm, cruise ships cannot send smaller boats out for tours. So you will have to remain some distance from the actual glaciers. The water at the end of the fjord is nearly 600 feet deep and when underwater calving takes place, the ice remains intact, giving us Alaska’s largest icebergs. Underwater calvings surface like giant submarines that rise over 250 feet and then settle into the water like large, blue ships.
Many cruise lines offer this tour, which takes guests on a smaller vessel from your cruise ship to explore Tracy Arm and see the Sawyer Glacier up close. The contest between which is better to visit, Tracy Arm versus Glacier Bay, is a close race. Both of these Alaskan fjords offer spectacular scenery and geological wonders to admire. Glacier Bay is larger and has more glaciers to see, while Tracy Arm is more secluded and offers more up-close and personal views. Whichever you choose, you’ll be awe-struck by these spectacular natural wonders.
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