Tracey Arm Fjord and Glacier Adventure

[hamilton23]

3 out 3 were Endicott so far this season. Two more sailings before ours. Fingers crossed that they make it down there during the next two.

 

[xavier2001]

3 out 3 were Endicott so far this season. Two more sailings before ours. Fingers crossed that they make it down there during the next two.

We board on Monday, my fingers are crossed too!!

 

[franandaj]

We are on the 4th sailing from now. I surely hope that by then it has opened up!

 

[xlxo]

Two weeks ago, I noticed a HAL ship travel 17 miles before making a U-turn for Endicott. There still another 13 miles of thawing to get to Sawyer. Some say ice congestion can last into July.

check marinetraffic.com to see whether other boats have attempted a Sawyer meet.

 

[Snowwhyt]

We board on Monday, my fingers are crossed too!!

So let us know what you get please.

 

[MHag]

We board on Monday, my fingers are crossed too!!

 

[saxmangeoff]

Looks like the Ruby Princess went to Endicott Arm this morning, if I'm using marinetraffic.com correctly.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I've seen two separate reports the Wonder went to Endicott again, not Tracy arm, today.

Heather

 

[xlxo]

@samangeoff: yep you are using the site correctly.... looking at the historic track... the Ruby spent significant time in Endicott. They say some seasons have the ships unable to make Tracy Arm until July.

 

[franandaj]

@samangeoff: yep you are using the site correctly.... looking at the historic track... the Ruby spent significant time in Endicott. They say some seasons have the ships unable to make Tracy Arm until July.

Ugh, we're on the first ship that sets sail in July, so hopefully by then we will be going to Tracy Arm. It sounds like we might be the first if that's the case.

 

[annacali]

I am currently on the Explorer of the Seas. We did Endicott arm yesterday. It was spectacular!!! Probably one of my all time favorite experiences--it was a sunny, beautiful morning. The water was like green glass--so peaceful. We saw seals galore too. My understanding is that there is too much ice in the water to get to Tracy arm right now. I have never seen Tracy Arm glacier but I didn't feel like we missed a thing in Endicott. Amazing.

As an aside-- we have been super lucky with weather this week and with wildlife sightings. We have seen lots of whales, 2 bears, seals, sea lions (yes, really), eagles and even a pod of dolphins.

We did a Juneau Whale Watch/glacier tour and a private tour thru the Yukon with Beyond Skagway tours. I highly recommend both!

 

[MHag]

I am currently on the Explorer of the Seas. We did Endicott arm yesterday. It was spectacular!!! Probably one of my all time favorite experiences--it was a sunny, beautiful morning. The water was like green glass--so peaceful. We saw seals galore too. My understanding is that there is too much ice in the water to get to Tracy arm right now. I have never seen Tracy Arm glacier but I didn't feel like we missed a thing in Endicott. Amazing.

As an aside-- we have been super lucky with weather this week and with wildlife sightings. We have seen lots of whales, 2 bears, seals, sea lions (yes, really), eagles and even a pod of dolphins.

We did a Juneau Whale Watch/glacier tour and a private tour thru the Yukon with Beyond Skagway tours. I highly recommend both!

We are doing a Beyond Skagway Tour next week. What did you especially enjoy seeing?

 

[hamilton23]

Did anyone on the current Wonder cruise do the excursion in Endicott Arm? If not, did anyone see the excursion boat from the deck of the Wonder? How much closer did the excursion get to the glaciers? Still trying to decide if I want to spend the extra $800 for my family of 4 to do this excursion. Thanks everyone. I love DISBOARDS and all the helpful information provided here!

 

[annacali]

We are doing a Beyond Skagway Tour next week. What did you especially enjoy seeing?

We did the dog sled camp version of their tour and went to Michelle's camp that she just opened this year (as opposed to the one in Caribou Crossing). My girls are 11 and 13 and they loved it. There were several puppies to hold and they got to do a dog cart ride as well. The scenery of the tour is all breathtaking but I think we were all most impressed with the desert area and with Emerald Lake. We also got to see a couple different bears eating dandelions on the side of the road. It was a really enjoyable day!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Did anyone on the current Wonder cruise do the excursion in Endicott Arm? If not, did anyone see the excursion boat from the deck of the Wonder? How much closer did the excursion get to the glaciers? Still trying to decide if I want to spend the extra $800 for my family of 4 to do this excursion. Thanks everyone. I love DISBOARDS and all the helpful information provided here!

I can show you how close it got on my cruise a couple weeks ago. It got quite a bit closer than the Wonder did. The glacier was actively calving and it wouldn't be safe to get much closer than it did.

Whether or not it is worth the high cost depends on your situation. If you'll never see a glacier again and don't plan to do any glacier excursions, it could be nice. The boat is also supposed to get close to waterfalls and the shore to view more wildlife. I don't know if they did any of that or not. The noon excursion looked very full and the 3:00pm one looked like it would feel more like a private tour.

I didn't take it, but I felt really left out when I saw the boat come and go from the Wonder. I'm one who enjoys getting off the ship and if it didn't cost so much, I'd take it for sure. Since it wasn't my first or last visit to a glacier, the price was too high for me. If you get stir crazy with too many sea days, it may be a nice change, even though it is still a contained space.

 

[saxmangeoff]

The boat is also supposed to get close to waterfalls and the shore to view more wildlife. I don't know if they did any of that or not.

Having done Tracy Arm before, this is the compelling feature of the excursion to me. The glacier is interesting, but for me the whole day is wonderful, and I want to see Tracy Arm in more detail and explore the nooks and crannies.

I still don't know if the excursion lives up to that, but I have a year to find out.

 

[hamilton23]

Part of the reason I want to do this excursion is to be able to take some killer photos of the ship from water level inside the arm. Hopefully we will get some great shots.

 

[hamilton23]

Any reports from those on the Wonder right now? How was Endicott Arm?

 

[MHag]

Any reports from those on the Wonder right now? How was Endicott Arm?

Yes would love to hear about the current sailing. We are going next week and I will be happy to report about this excursion. Fingers crossed for Tracy Arm!

 

[Snowwhyt]

May 25 Enddicott
June 1. Enddicott
June 8. Enddicott
June 15 Enddicott
June 22 Enddicott
June 29 ?
July. 6. ?
As of today all ships are still using the Enddicott passages.