Tracey Arm Fjord and Glacier Adventure

[bcwife76]

My husband and I did this and we were on the 3pm boat. We enjoyed it and were surprised by the amount of complaints there were. It was nice not having to fight for a view of the glacier.
On our excursion we did see wildlife and the boat got close to a a few seals, probably a little closer then it should have. I liked how we were almost level with the icebergs, and were able to get some good pictures of the seals and eagles on the icebergs. Being on a boat with 3 decks gave us a different perspective and different views of the wildlife and the size of the glacier versus the Wonder which was 10+ stories and you're looking down at the water.
We also got some amazing pictures of the glacier with the Wonder in front of it, not many people can get those pictures (unless you don't mind paying Shutters for their pictures).

Nice to read a positive post about this excursion, thank you! I was hoping it wasn't all bad!

 

[Viviene Anthony]

Thank you @Jaxasaurous for sharing your experience. We still haven't booked, but we don't sail until August. Lookng out for more positives, especially from those that experience it down Tracey Arm.

 

[MHag]

My husband and I did this and we were on the 3pm boat. We enjoyed it and were surprised by the amount of complaints there were. It was nice not having to fight for a view of the glacier.
On our excursion we did see wildlife and the boat got close to a a few seals, probably a little closer then it should have. I liked how we were almost level with the icebergs, and were able to get some good pictures of the seals and eagles on the icebergs. Being on a boat with 3 decks gave us a different perspective and different views of the wildlife and the size of the glacier versus the Wonder which was 10+ stories and you're looking down at the water.
We also got some amazing pictures of the glacier with the Wonder in front of it, not many people can get those pictures (unless you don't mind paying Shutters for their pictures).

Would love to hear from more people who are sailing to Alaska this week and did this excursion. Also did you get to Tracy Arm?

 

[Jaxasaurous]

Would love to hear from more people who are sailing to Alaska this week and did this excursion. Also did you get to Tracy Arm?

There was too much ice to get down Tracy Arm, so we went down Endicott Arm instead. I think we saw Dawes Glacier.

 

[Snowwhyt]

There was too much ice to get down Tracy Arm, so we went down Endicott Arm instead. I think we saw Dawes Glacier.

So your on now? Or were you on the first Alaska group also.

 

[franandaj]

I'm definitely curious to hear about this! We are on the July 4 sailing and are booked on the 3PM excursion. That gives us time to do the BBQ and the excursion. I appreciate the warning about the cold. Being from Southern California we cry when the temperatures are in the 50s!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I did not do the excursion, but I saw them get a nice view this week. We couldn't go to Tracy arm and went to Endicott like the first sailing did. I like Tracy arm much much much more than Endicott arm. If we went to Tracy arm I would have done the excursion. 200 per person is high, but if you want to get up close to the glacier it may be worth it to you.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Well let's hope we can get a Tracy Arm report from the June 6th group. Anyone going June 6th?

 

[xlxo]

If you check www.marinetraffic.com the evening after Tracy Arm.... you can see whether the cruise lines are avoid Tracy Arm.

I saw one cruise ship last week go 17 miles (Tracy is 31 miles) into the Arm and then do a highspeed U turn for Endicott for glacier viewing.

 

[Billybob7]

I have heard people saying that you have to miss the BBQ if you go on the 12 pm excursion. That's not true. The BBQ starts at 11:30. We got there at 11:15 and waited after getting a table. We had 30 minutes to eat and then get to the excursion. More than enough time to eat.

 

[uncw89]

I have heard people saying that you have to miss the BBQ if you go on the 12 pm excursion. That's not true. The BBQ starts at 11:30. We got there at 11:15 and waited after getting a table. We had 30 minutes to eat and then get to the excursion. More than enough time to eat.

Thanks!! That's good to here. I had booked the 12 pm excursion, but then changed it to the 3 pm one. I'm not sure if I'm going to cancel it or keep it. Hoe did you like the excursion?

 

[Billybob7]

Thanks!! That's good to here. I had booked the 12 pm excursion, but then changed it to the 3 pm one. I'm not sure if I'm going to cancel it or keep it. Hoe did you like the excursion?

we went to endicott arm as Tracy arm was too icy. They gave us half of our money back. That said, it was worth it. We didn't have to wait on deck all day and claim seats. So, while not fantastic, I enjoyed it.

 

[Shawney]

So your saying that being from so cal & thinks no the low 70's is cold we will be totally out of our comfort zone? Brrr! Should I pack those pocket warmers?

A lot of people have been posting about the coldness of Alaska. I have been on three Disney Alaskan cruises. And the weather has varied on all three cruises! My advice - wear layers; hand warmers? yes indeed. Shorts? Yes.

1st Cruise 2012 - my sister and I -- and it was quite chilly especially at Tracy Arm (50s) - we did layers with hats, gloves, scarf and rain coats. Her and I even went shopping in Seattle for fleece jackets before we went on board because it was going to be colder than we thought. I am glad we did. Hand Warmers recommended.
2nd Cruise 2015 - my husband and I - cool, not too cold in my opinion (60s). less layers - didn't have to wear gloves/scarf, just a hat, coat - no rain beautiful day at Tracy Arm.
3rd Cruise - 2016 - my husband and I -- omg. It was warm! Mid-70s, wore shorts and sweatshirt on deck; it was misting, so I wore a rain coat. But I was really disappointed on how warm it was during our week. Luckily though the week before it was in the upper 70s - 80s (DVC members only cruise).

My point is -- you will never know about the weather in Alaska. My sister, husband, and I were always watching the weather for the week we would be sailing, but the weather man isn't always right. Pack a little of everything (and I mean little - I got slammed for overweight luggage at the airport in 2012). Its always good to have it --

I am currently booked on a 2017 San Diego/Alaska Cruise (Back-to-back) and can't wait -- I look forward to see if the Tracy Arm excursion is available in 2017.

I hope this helps --

 

[Shawney]

I agree about the temps in Tracy Arm. If the sun is out, it can warm up comfortably. We were there on May 27, 2015.
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.





If you look up the definition of a Fjord - a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs, as in Norway and Iceland, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley, you'll gain a much better understanding of Tracy Arm.



It's absolutely breathtaking!







I would have loved an excursion to get closer to the glacier like this one. Would definitely have booked it if we had the chance. We envied all the small water craft in the area that day.












Can't wait to hear all about it.

My husband and I were on the same cruise!

 

[psac]

We were on the Wonder last week (2nd sailing, also went down Endicott) and were one of the ones that cancelled the excursion after the reports from the first one. We could see the excursion ship got much closer to the glacier than we did.



We weren't disappointed at all that we cancelled. We might have if the ship went down Tracy Arm (from what people said), but with what we saw, we were perfectly happy seeing everything from the ship. The views were great from the deck.

I think either way you'd be happy.

 

[Viviene Anthony]

We weren't disappointed at all that we cancelled. We might have if the ship went down Tracy Arm (from what people said), but with what we saw, we were perfectly happy seeing everything from the ship. The views were great from the deck.

I think either way you'd be happy.

We ended up not booking the excursion for our sailing in August. And when I went back to see if it was still available, it was sold out. We're okay with our decision, though. Thanks for your report & great pic!

 

[hamilton23]

I heard that the Wonder missed Tracy Arm again today. Is anyone on this sailing that went on the excursion who can report how it was this time.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Is this week the 2nd or 3rd week they could have sailed on Tracy Arm?
Week 1, Enddicott
Week 2, Enddicott
Week 3, TBA or unknown?

 

[saxmangeoff]

Is this week the 2nd or 3rd week they could have sailed on Tracy Arm?
Week 1, Enddicott
Week 2, Enddicott
Week 3, TBA or unknown?

Week 3 is the current week, so their Tracy Arm day was Wednesday, June 8.

 

[anricat]

I heard it was Endicott again.