The 2026 Alaska cruise season is right around the corner. Travelers are months away from the excitement of everything The Last Frontier offers, from local seafood to stunning views and awe-inspiring wildlife sightings. However, one cruise line informed passengers that all excursions in one popular port were canceled due to "operational considerations."
Guests sailing with Holland America Line this summer were notified via email that all excursions to the Tracy Arm Fjord have been removed from the 2026 schedule.
"Our tour operator has advised [that] the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer in Juneau, AK has been modified due to operational considerations," the email reads.
"...[U]nstable ice and geological conditions currently preclude vessels from entering Tracy Arm Fjord; all 2026 departures will explore Endicott Arm Fjord instead."
Endicott Arm is known for its striking view of Dawes Glacier, a massive tidewater glacier that regularly calves large icebergs into the fjord. Compared with Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm Fjord is famous for its narrow passageways and twin Sawyer Glaciers.
Continuing on, "Tour duration will be extended to approximately 8 ½ hours. The title [of the excursion] has been updated to reflect these modifications and is now 'Tracy Arm Fjord or Endicott Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer.'"
Last August, a major landslide occurred in the Tracy Arm Fjord near the South Sawyer Glacier, which raised safety concerns. Millions of cubic feet of rock were sent tumbling into the water, with the impact then triggering a localized tsunami within the fjord.
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey claim the area remains under observation, as continued rockfall and smaller-scale landslide events are expected.
Although the Holland America Line email did not explicitly state it, the landslide and associated hazards are likely key reasons that they canceled visits to Tracy Arm Fjord this year.
Read more: I tried a Holland America cruise to Alaska. Here's what it's like to sail on this cruise line
Is Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier worth it?
Disappointed passengers have flocked to social media, wondering whether to cancel their current excursion and rebook.
"Would have preferred the [cruising] day in Tracy Arm and I specifically chose this cruise’s itinerary because it did Tracy Arm over Endicott Arm but… it is what it is. It would be nice if HAL offered some consideration due to this change but I doubt they will," wrote one frustrated Redditor.
Others echoed similar feelings, though many are still weighing their options — determined not to let this cancellation ruin their vacation.
"We are sailing with Holland America in September. We booked the Tracy Arm Fjord excursion from the ship, but have been informed it will be replaced with Endicott Arm. Is Endicott Arm worth it or should we cancel this excursion and go with something else like whale watching and Mendenhall glacier?" asked David Wexler on Facebook.
Generally speaking, many say the excursion is still worth it. While the scenery is different, Endicott Arm offers the dramatic fjord landscapes, towering glacier views, and natural beauty that make Alaska a bucket-list destination.
"Juneauite and official visitor info here: Endicott Arm is south of, and similar to, Tracy Arm. Because of the additional miles, the Endicott Arm excursion will take longer. Both are stunning fjords and are very different from Glacier Bay, which gives you grand vistas," said someone in the r/HollandAmerica Reddit thread.
Someone else added, "I'm keeping the excursion. The [comments] on one of the facebook groups I'm in ... seem to really like the endicott arm/dawes excursion."
"Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier is stunning — a narrow fjord with dramatic scenery and a chance to get close to a tidewater glacier. It’s different from Glacier Bay, which gives wide scenic views and ranger commentary, so doing both gives you two very different glacier experiences. The small‑boat or excursion trips on Endicott usually get you closer to the glacier than the ship alone," Christiana Okediran chimed in on Facebook.
Holland America is one of Alaska's leading cruise lines
Holland America Line has been sailing to Alaska for over 75 years, longer than any other cruise line. As such, it has had decades to build deep regional partnerships, develop specialized onboard programming, and create an extensive shore excursion lineup.
The long-standing presence in Alaska has also helped Holland America Line earn multiple "Best Alaska Cruise" awards. Most recently, they won the Forbes Vetted "Best Alaska Cruise Overall" recognition in 2025, thanks in part to their "Alaska Up Close" program, which immerses guests in local culture through onboard workshops and activities.
Additionally, every Alaska sailing welcomes a Huna Native Interpreter on board to share the history and traditions of the Tlingit people. The cruise line also holds more permits than any other operator to visit Glacier Bay, the 6th largest national park in the U.S. that's home to over 1,000 glaciers.
In 2026, the cruise line will have six ships deployed in Alaska, sailing a range of itineraries that visit ports such as Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan, Valdez, and Kodiak. These vessels include Eurodam, Koningsdam, Noordam, Westerdam, Zaandam, and Nieuw Amsterdam.
The cruise line's first sailing of the season is on April 25. Eurodam's 7-night cruise from Seattle will visit Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan, and Sitka, along with two special late-night stops in Juneau and Icy Strait Point.
Holland America vessels will remain in Alaska through September 26, with Eurodam and Koningsdam's weeklong voyages from Seattle and Vancouver concluding the line's seasonal stint in The Last Frontier.
Read more: What is the best cruise line for Alaskan sailings?
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
