Embarking on an Alaska cruise promises a journey filled with breathtaking natural wonders, and among its most iconic experiences is visiting the majestic Tracy Arm Fjord. Our adventure aboard the Carnival Legend led us to the truly unforgettable Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier Explorer Excursion – a decision that transformed an already spectacular trip into an intimate encounter with the raw power and beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.
While the panoramic views of glaciers from the deck of a cruise ship are undeniably grand, offering a distant spectacle of ice and rock, they often keep you a mile or more away from the true heart of these frozen giants. The magic of the Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier Explorer lies in its unparalleled ability to bring you up close and personal with the glacier, allowing for an immersive experience that simply cannot be replicated from afar.
Short on time? Here’s a quick guide to essential Alaska cruise planning:
🏨 Discover top-rated Hotels and Vacation Rentals for your pre/post-cruise stays.
📍 Explore an array of Alaska Tours and Excursions to enhance your journey.
Unforgettable Views: The Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier Explorer Excursion
Choosing the right time for your excursion can significantly enhance your experience. We opted for the afternoon tour, a decision that proved to be remarkably insightful. According to the shore excursion desk, the morning tours often attract more passengers, leading to a potentially less spacious viewing experience. Our afternoon trip, accommodating around 70 people on a vessel designed for 140, offered an abundance of room to move freely, capture stunning photographs, and simply soak in the majesty of our surroundings without feeling crowded.
One of the most compelling advantages of the afternoon departure is the unique opportunity to experience the fjord as your main cruise ship slowly makes its exit. This allows for a tranquil, unobstructed viewing of the glacier, creating a sense of solitude and intimate connection with the landscape that’s truly special. As the massive Carnival Legend pulled away, our smaller explorer boat lingered, giving us extended time at the glacier face, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger ship.
Alaska’s dynamic environment often requires flexibility, and our excursion was a perfect example of this. Due to a significant amount of icebergs in the Tracy Arm Fjord – a direct result of over a mile of glacier calving in recent months – our captain made the prudent decision to navigate into the spectacular Endicott Arm instead. This switch was not a compromise but an alternative adventure, leading us to the equally impressive Dawes Glacier. Learning about the sheer volume of ice in Tracy Arm highlighted the importance of experienced guides and the unexpected wonders that can unfold on an Alaskan journey. Our captain’s expertise ensured a safe and breathtaking voyage, steering us clear of any “Titanic moments” while still delivering an awe-inspiring glacier experience.
For those eager to plan their adventure, a variety of Tracy Arm Fjord Tour options are available, catering to different preferences and schedules. Selecting an excursion like the Glacier Explorer ensures a seamless experience, as it departs directly from your cruise ship. We simply gathered in a designated lounge on the Carnival Legend and were guided down to the gangway to board the catamaran. This efficient process means less transit time and more time enjoying the stunning scenery.
Preparing for Your Glacier Adventure: Essential Tips
One crucial piece of advice for any Alaska glacier excursion: dress in layers! The wind whipping off the glacier is incredibly chilly, even on a sunny day. We cannot stress enough the importance of bringing a warm hat, gloves, and a scarf. I was immensely grateful for my insulated hat and gloves, especially while out on the viewing decks capturing photographs. A waterproof outer shell is also highly recommended, as weather conditions can change rapidly in the fjords, and you’ll want to stay dry and comfortable to fully enjoy the experience.
Once at the glacier, our captain skillfully navigated the catamaran, ensuring that both sides of the boat had ample opportunities for prime viewing. The boat slowly traversed the glacier’s face, allowing everyone to absorb its colossal scale and intricate ice formations. Guests have the choice of relaxing in comfortable indoor seating, where panoramic windows provide warmth and protection from the elements, or venturing out onto the spacious outdoor viewing decks. We highly recommend spending significant time outside; it’s here that you truly feel connected to the environment.
Being on the outer deck allows you to hear the mesmerizing “white thunder” of the glacier calving – the dramatic sound of ice breaking off and crashing into the water. It’s also the best spot for wildlife spotting. Keep a keen eye out for playful porpoises breaching the surface or curious seals lounging on ice floes, their dark forms stark against the brilliant blue and white. These close encounters with nature’s inhabitants add another layer of wonder to the glacier experience.
Witnessing glacier calving is an exhilarating highlight of the excursion. The entire boat collective held its breath, everyone eager to catch a glimpse of the ice breaking free. A useful tip from our naturalist guide was to watch for smaller pieces of ice falling, as this often indicates a larger, more dramatic calving event is imminent. We were incredibly fortunate to witness the Dawes Glacier calve four or five times, each instance a powerful display of nature’s raw force, sending colossal chunks of ice plummeting into the emerald waters with a resounding splash. The sheer volume of ice that detached at once was truly astounding.
The beauty of the glacier is almost indescribable, prompting me to take hundreds of photos in an attempt to capture its grandeur. It’s challenging to fully grasp the scale of the Dawes Glacier until you are right beside it – a half-mile wide and towering between 200 to 300 feet above the waterline, its icy expanse stretching an incredible 25 miles deep into the wilderness, all the way to the Canadian border. The vibrant blues, whites, and greys of the ice, sculpted by millennia of pressure and movement, create a constantly shifting masterpiece that truly takes your breath away.
Beyond the Glacier: Waterfalls and Whales
After our captivating time at the glacier, we began our journey back through the fjord, eventually passing the magnificent Carnival Legend as she continued her course. The return trip offered new delights, including countless waterfalls cascading down the steep, emerald-green fjord walls, fed by melting snow and ice. These natural cascades added a serene beauty to the rugged landscape, creating a picturesque journey through this narrow waterway.
As an unexpected bonus, our return voyage transformed into a thrilling whale watching excursion! Our skilled captain spotted a humpback whale and expertly maneuvered the catamaran to a respectful, yet incredibly close, proximity. It was an absolutely magical experience to be near enough to hear the distinctive ‘puff’ of air as the whale exhaled, and to witness its powerful tail fluke rise gracefully from the water before it descended into the depths. After observing this magnificent creature for a memorable period, it was, regrettably, time to make our way back to the Carnival Legend, carrying with us memories of a truly spectacular day.
This excursion was not just a lot of fun; it was unequivocally worth every penny. While the views from the main cruise ship deck are undoubtedly amazing, the ability to get within a few hundred yards of the glacier truly brings its immense scale into perspective. There is simply nothing quite like standing on the deck of a smaller vessel, feeling the cool glacial breeze, and witnessing colossal chunks of ice dramatically detach and splash into the water, creating ripples that echo the glacier’s mighty presence. The intimate nature of the tour, combined with the comprehensive exploration of Endicott Arm and the bonus whale watching, made for an unparalleled and deeply enriching Alaskan adventure.
To explore more options and find the perfect fit for your itinerary, be sure to check out all available Tracy Arm Fjord Tour options.
Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier Explorer Excursion Highlights:
- Seamless Boarding: Embark directly from the Carnival Legend onto a deluxe, waterjet-powered catamaran in the heart of Tracy Arm Fjord.
- Intimate Exploration: Discover the hidden wonders around every turn of this serpentine, 30-mile long fjord, including potential detours to Endicott Arm for Dawes Glacier.
- Expert Narration: Benefit from an onboard Naturalist who provides fascinating insights and educational commentary about the region’s geology, wildlife, and history.
- Jaw-dropping Cliffs: Trace the bases of magnificent cliffs that soar over 4,000 feet above the jade-colored sea, showcasing the raw, dramatic landscape.
- Close-Up Glacier Views: Enjoy an unparalleled, up-close view of glaciers like Dawes, with frequent stops designed for optimal wildlife viewing, including seals and porpoises.
- Witness Calving: Experience the awe-inspiring “white thunder” as immense spires of ice break from the glacier and crash into the sea, a truly unforgettable spectacle.
Explore More Alaska Cruise Resources
Planning your dream Alaska cruise? Dive deeper into our comprehensive guides to make the most of your journey:
Cruising Glacier Bay: A Majestic Alaskan Experience
Your Essential Alaska Cruise Packing List
Top 9 Tips for an Unforgettable Alaska Cruise
Things to Do in Juneau on Your Alaska Cruise
Making the Most of 5 Hours in Ketchikan During Your Alaska Cruise
For a complete collection of insights and advice, check out all of our Alaska Cruise Travel Guides.