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Alaska, often referred to as the Last frontier, is a marvel of natural beauty and untamed wilderness. Remember to pack a camera (with a telephoto lens) to capture the stunning scenery and wildlife you’ll encounter on your journey. Although, if you have one of the latest smartphones, their built-in cameras meet the needs of most travelers. These passengers would have prepurchased the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer tour through their cruise line. There are a few key things to consider when planning a Tracy Arm Fjord cruise to ensure the best experience possible.
Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour
Sometimes, ships don’t enter Tracy Arm Fjord in the shoulder season due to too much fog or ice. As with all tidewater glaciers, the amount of ice in the water will determine how close a ship can get. Obviously, getting really close provides a more thrilling experience. During the early season, ice in the fjord blocks a cruise ship’s passage and prevents the vessel from reaching Sawyer Glacier. This happened to us on a cruise we took in early May, and our cruise ship only made it halfway up the fjord.
You’ll Enjoy Two Glaciers
Some cruise ships offer complimentary umbrellas or water-proof ponchos, but we prefer to bring our own gear to ensure we’re protected. 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. 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.
Tracy Arm Cruise Vs. Explorer Tour?
Our vessels navigate the entire length of the arm, making stops in view of both the Sawyer and South Sawyer Glaciers (as ice conditions permit). In the event that conditions prevent the navigation of Tracy Arm, we may modify the itinerary by exploring Endicott Arm, another beautiful fjord carved by the Dawes Glacier. DIB excursions will provide the opportunity to view the majesty of the area in an up-close and personal manner.
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If you’re set on doing another tour in Juneau, you may want to pass on the Tracy Arm excursion and just enjoy it by cruise ship. Bear in mind, while some cruise lines advertise “cruising in Tracy Arm,” sometimes they DON’T sail in the fjord. Cruise ships that venture up the narrow fjord spend a few hours sailing at a snail’s pace. Vessels usually open up the bow area for viewing, which is often closed during the cruise. However, this area gets congested as guests jostle for the front-row spots.
REAL-LIFE WATER WORLD
Since ships going to Tracy Arm must negotiate turns in the fjord, generally smaller and mid-sized vessels go there. Allen Marine operates the tour, which typically lasts six hours and includes stunning views of the fjord, waterfalls, and wildlife. In July, the warmest month, expect daytime highs in the low 60s and lows in the shoulder season around 30s.
Don’t worry about which side to book as the ship rotates at the glacier’s terminus (toe). Beneath the glaciers, giant icebergs provide a vital breeding spot for harbor seals, and a safety zone from hungry orcas. Since the Explorer tour arrives in Juneau later in the day, it can impact your time to see Alaska’s capital.
Look for the 'Bahamahost' sticker when getting a taxi – the label identifies those belonging to a programme that promotes excellent service to tourists. Saunter the lively streets of Nassau, chill by a freshwater pool in Perfect Day at CocoCay or get a history lesson at the Heritage Museum during your cruise to the Bahamas. The debut coincides with the start of the 2024 season, commencing on April 27th from Vancouver (BC Canada) and May 4th from Seattle (WA USA). Enjoy a picnic-style lunch and a variety of snacks and beverages served by your friendly Alaskan crew as you trace the rugged shores of Stephens Passage on the cruise north to Juneau. We are Brian and Karen, and like to call Alaska our second home.
The wildlife here includes bears (black and brown), deer, mountain goats, wolves, whales, seals, sea lions, seabirds. Though the landscape is rugged, Tracy Arm plays host to a variety of wildlife species. Sure-footed Mountain goats scale the rocky cliffs, bears are sometimes seen foraging the tide-lines, and seals take refuge among the ice flows. 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. Booking a balcony provides private viewing space for both glaciers and wildlife.
There are also flightseeing opportunities from Juneau but cruises are more popular. Tour guests get an eye-to-eye view of harbor seals with a smaller vessel, feel the spray of waterfalls, and get closer to the glacier’s towering face. Sometimes, the crew makes cocktails from the glacial ice fished out of the water. Located about 45 miles south of Juneau, Tracy Arm, a classic fjord, stands out as a “must see” for any Alaska vacation. Full day cruises depart from downtown Juneau and includes Alaska’s greatest combination of mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, glaciers, and icebergs. On a Tracy Arm fjord cruise, passengers can expect to view a variety of wildlife, including whales, seals, and bald eagles.
Take a nature walk or a Jeep adventure through the pine forests, or stretch your legs at the Rand Nature Center, which offers bird-watching and installations by local artists. Tracy Arm Fjord will impress you and is a must-see adventure on an Alaskan cruise. My favorite Alaskan glaciers will always be the Hubbard Glacier and Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park. They offer contrasting encounters, and it’s like comparing apples to oranges. The slow approach to Sawyer Glacier is more scenic, and the misty fjord creates a sense of mystery.
Home to enchanting shades of blue and deliciously warm breezes, the Bahamas is the ideal place for adventures involving the sea. The best Bahamas cruises will allow you to dive and discover underwater worlds, meet marine animals and shop for island souvenirs by the ocean. Tracy Arm Fjord is part of Alaska's Fords Terror Wilderness park with total area approx 2643 km2 (1020 mi2). The park consists of two deepwater narrow fjords - Tracy Arm (north) and Endicott Arm (south). Endicott Arm has length 48 km (30 mi) and around 20% of the waterway is ice-covered. Port Tracy Arm Fjord cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month.
Jump onboard a Bahamas cruise to stroll along the waterfront of capital city Nassau and see its distinctive pastel-coloured buildings. Or explore waterfalls and botanic gardens on Grand Bahama Island. Fill your days on a short escape with Oasis Class thrills – onboard Allure of the Seas®. All while sailing to the picture-perfect shores of The Bahamas and our private destination Perfect Day at CocoCay. A respite for sun and sand seekers, the Bahamas is home to light blue beaches, translucent underwater caves, a rich royal heritage and exclusive private isles.
And take part in some thrilling wall diving – where you can explore deep reef edges – in New Providence. Tracy Arm is the summer home for pigeon guillemots, kittiwakes and arctic terns. Mountain goats are typically seen on the rocky slopes near Sawyer Glacier.
We find it gets crowded, so arrive early for the prime front row standing spots. As the ship slowly navigates the emerald waters, angel hair cascades, gracing the towering walls, mesmerize cruise passengers. However, it’s the icebergs and stunning blue glaciers they come to see. At the end of the fjord, cruise-goers enjoy the face of two tidewater glaciers or icefields which touch the ocean. Filling the bay with ice, the South Sawyer Glacier is the larger of the two, at over 31 miles long, and originates in British Columbia, Canada. On cruises to Tracy Arm, guests enjoy 30 miles of mountain peaks, sheer rock faces, plummeting waterfalls, and emerald-green water.
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