Tracey Arm Fjord and Glacier Adventure

[anricat]

Cruise director Peter told me that Tracy Arm is so full of ice its closed for the foreseeable future.

Hmm. I wonder what "foreseeable future" is. Did he elaborate at all? We're not sailing until August, so we still have time, but it seems like it's been backed up with ice for longer than in previous seasons!

 

[hamilton23]

So you're thinking they actually went to Endicott and only thought they were in Tracy Arm. Huh.

Agreed. There are a lot of Sheeople on the cruises that just follow the masses and go along for the ride. That is not most of the people on this forum...obviously. They probably just knew that they were supposed to go down the Tracy Arm and thought that was where they were.

 

[Shingebiss]

This looks interesting. I'm probably going to book this. My only concern is missing out on some of the delicious barbecue on deck that day. I assume we'll be able to eat first, but I understand it starts at noon.

I am sailing August 8, 2016 and for our cruise they added a second Tracey Arm adventure at 3pm after the BBQ.

 

[Shingebiss]

I also booked it today for our 8/8/16 sailing and just echo'ing the time has 12:01pm - 3:01pm. I hope you guys before our sailing come back and give us all the details so we can decide it we are keeping it or not! I expect it to be very popular
Heather

I also booked it today for our 8/8/16 sailing and just echo'ing the time has 12:01pm - 3:01pm. I hope you guys before our sailing come back and give us all the details so we can decide it we are keeping it or not! I expect it to be very popular
Heather

There is a second 3:10 Tracey Arm adventure on the 8/8/16 sailing

 

[Shingebiss]

Oh, no! That's really disappointing. I'm going to think about cancelling mine. $200pp is a high price to pay. Maybe I will cancel it and then if we can go into Tracy Arm, check if I can add it at that time. I was able to add a couple last minute excursions on my other Alaska cruise.

EDIT: Is there a trip report somewhere?

Tracey Arm has been too full of ice for this excursion to get in. They have been going into Endicot Arm instead - hence the poor reviews. The reviews of same tour from other cruise lines for dates later in the season when the ice has melted back are almost all positive. It's too early in the season still to judge I think.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

There is a second 3:10 Tracey Arm adventure on the 8/8/16 sailing

Indeed! We switched to the 3:00pm one when they added them so we wouldn't miss lunch. It's likely we all three won't go but like others I'm waiting until we see (if we do) the true Tracy Arm reviews.

Are you on the 8/8 sailing too? If so, *waving*!

Heather

 

[Snowwhyt]

So you're thinking they actually went to Endicott and only thought they were in Tracy Arm. Huh.

That's easy enough to see happen. I could see my daughter doing something like that. Same area only going right instead of left. Trees, mountains, animals and ice. "Look were at Tracy arm!"

If you weren't paying attention it would be easy to miss what glacier you were going to. There was a ship announcement from the Captain about it but those don't play in the staterooms.

I hate when I miss the announcements. I run to the door and hope the family has skivvies on!

 

[Snowwhyt]

I was looking much earlier today and noticed, what I thought was a little bit larger ship started up Tracy Arm. Did anyone see that. I couldn't get back to look at all this afternoon. Anyone notice the size of that ship? Tomorrows the big day maaaybeee Tracy Arm?

 

[psac]

We just got off of the Wonder this morning and we did this excursion. Ended up in Endicott Arm and going to see the Dawes Glacier. It didn't disappoint. This is a video taken by my husband...

I'm way behind, but thanks for posting this video. We were on the second sailing this year, and cancelled the excursion after the poor reviews from the first. It looks like it's gotten much better. I like the angle here. It was great on the ship, too, this is just different. I like the yelling, I think it adds to the fun of the moment.
ps -- great screen name!

 

[MHag]

We did this excursion last week and really enjoyed it. The boat has 3 levels which gives you lots of picture taking opportunities. For those concerned, the buffet opened on the ship at 11:30 so people were able to eat before getting on the catamaran. I would highly recommend this excursion!

 

[KarenP99]

This is amazing! Silly question, but the video cut out just before the wave reaches the boat. Was it significant? This is my fear that we'll be hit by a tidal wave from one of the fractures.

We just got off of the Wonder this morning and we did this excursion. Ended up in Endicott Arm and going to see the Dawes Glacier. It didn't disappoint. This is a video taken by my husband...

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

Here's the aftermath...it was definitely noticeable, but not too bad!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Today was another Endicott Arm day and no Tracy Arm. I would love to hear an update from someone on the ship as to if they even have an estimate at this point It's hard to gauge "not in the foreseeable future" but I'm open to new adventures if we don't make it this year

Heather

 

[franandaj]

I live in north Idaho. I found Tracy Arm to be chilly. My son and daughter-in-law live in Las Vegas. They found it to be frigid.

My profile picture is on deck 4 in Tracy Arm. I'm wearing just a sweatshirt. (Well, and pants... lol) That was fine for most of Tracy Arm. Up closer to the glacier, it was actually a bit chilly (you're basically in a giant ice box, after all), but still nothing compared to a Wyoming winter!

So your saying that being from so cal & thinks no the low 70's is

Most layered a lightweight jacket over a hoodie or fleece and eventually removed the jacket. It became a beautiful day with high temps in the low-mid 60's.

Thanks for all this perspective. We fly to Vancouver tomorrow and debating which jackets to bring for the outer layer. Already have the rest packed!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Thanks for all this perspective. We fly to Vancouver tomorrow and debating which jackets to bring for the outer layer. Already have the rest packed!

Have a great trip and cruise!

Heather

 

[saxmangeoff]

I've been watching Tracy Arm on marinetraffic.com. So far, no larger ships have gone into Tracy Arm, but smaller ships are starting to go there, so it may be opening up finally.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I've been watching Tracy Arm on marinetraffic.com. So far, no larger ships have gone into Tracy Arm, but smaller ships are starting to go there, so it may be opening up finally.

Did you see any small ships in the past 2 days? Every time I looked it was empty. Yet a week ago I noticed 3 at a time there. Small but there.

 

[saxmangeoff]

Did you see any small ships in the past 2 days? Every time I looked it was empty. Yet a week ago I noticed 3 at a time there. Small but there.

American Spirit and Natgeo Seabird are there today.

 

[mgcharleston]

I would love to hear an updated report from someone that was on the most recent sailing. I have a 3:00 reservation for when we sail next week but i'm still on the fence about it...

 

[l4dk]

We are just getting back home from Vancouver today and we did the 3pm excursion to Endicott Arm I have to tell you guys that it was amazing. Since this was our first time in Alaska I asked the captain at the platinum gathering about the difference between Tracy and Endicott and he said Endicott was as beautiful and that we were not going to regret taking the excursion. Totally true words can not describe the beauty and like if it was not enough with the amazing views of the glacier and the calving we were also very lucky to spot a black bear very close to shore and the boat did an amazing job stopping for sometime for us to take great pics. Please feel free to ask me any question. The BBQ was very good in our opinion too and the Disney crew did and amazing job walking around offering soup and hot chocolate on the decks.