Cruise Lines Are Banning This Popular US Destination, Leaving Travelers With Fewer Options

When it comes to cruise destinations in the U.S., few are as popular as Alaska. Nicknamed "The Last Frontier" for good reason, Alaska is a dream for nature lovers, and also happens to be the U.S. state with the most lakes. Tourists have long found cruises to be a great way to experienced its unspoiled landscape. Those who visit can look forward to seeing wildlife like whales, bears, seals, sea otters, and bald eagles, backdropped by mountains, glaciers, and majestic fjords. One of the most scenic destinations that cruise passengers eagerly anticipate is Tracy Arm Fjord, a waterway surrounded by stunning 4,000-foot cliffs. It's located just 50 miles southeast of Juneau, Alaska's underrated capital. But several major cruise lines have decided that the risk outweighs the reward when it comes to visiting Tracy Arm Fjord this year.

The decision comes after a large landslide triggered a tsunami on the morning of August 10, 2025, producing waves up to 100 feet tall. Although there were no injuries reported, the occurrence of the landslide called into question future safety in the area.  "Any time you collapse the side of a mountain, I think it's a safe assumption to assume that you've got an unstable mountainside, right? It is perfectly reasonable, or geologically reasonable, that there could be follow-on activity," said Mike West, the Alaska state seismologist and director of the Alaska Earthquake Center, to Alaska Public Media. Passengers hoping to see Tracy Arm Fjord may have to adjust their expectations, but on the bright side, cruise lines have alternatives to choose from that are equally as scenic. 

All hope is not lost for tourists hoping to witness the grandeur of Alaska's glaciers. Major cruise lines Holland America, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean have opted to visit Endicott Arm instead, reports Associated Press. Endicott Arm, located in the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, is a scenic alternative to Tracy Arm within the same area. In fact, cruise lines have diverted here in the past due to unsafe weather at Tracy Arm, according to the Associated Press report. 

Kimberly Lebeda, a former cruise passenger whose trip to Tracy Arm was diverted to Endicott Arm, said to Associated Press that it was "an amazing thing to witness." She continued, "Was it worth it? Yes, because I don't know if I'll ever get to do that trip again. Again, I haven't ever been to Tracy Arm so I can't really compare. But to me, was it worth it and was it exciting? Absolutely."

Norwegian Cruise Line has not changed its schedule as it does not sail to Tracy Arm, reports The Travel. Other operators, such as MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages, will divert to Endicott Arm as well as Dawes Glacier, per Associated Press. "Endicott Arm is fabulous," commented one Juneau resident on a Reddit post about the Tracy Arm cancellation. "The scenery is excellent [...] You'll likely see whales, eagles, and more on that trip, too." With its vast untouched wilderness and breathtaking national parks, it's hard to be disappointed by a trip to Alaska.