Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier
A 30-mile fjord of granite walls, waterfalls and floating ice, ending at a tidewater glacier that calves into the sea. Here’s how to make the most of a morning in Endicott Arm.
A fjord that does the talking
Endicott Arm is a long, narrow fjord in the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness of the Tongass National Forest, roughly 50 miles southeast of Juneau. Ships turn in from Stephens Passage at Holkham Bay and spend hours sailing between granite walls that rise thousands of feet, past waterfalls spilling from hanging valleys and a steady parade of blue icebergs. At the head of the fjord sits Dawes Glacier, an active tidewater glacier about half a mile wide that drops chunks of ice into the water.
Since a large landslide and local tsunami in neighboring Tracy Arm in August 2025, many lines have made Endicott Arm their glacier fjord day, so it shows up on far more Alaska itineraries than it used to. Below is who sails here, the ship-sold small-boat excursion that gets you closer to the ice, and where to stand on deck.
Which lines sail here
Not every Alaska cruise includes Endicott Arm, and some list it as an alternate for Tracy Arm. Check your itinerary or ask your advisor.
Big-ship Alaska lines
Most visits come on seven-night Inside Passage round trips from Seattle or Vancouver. The ship usually enters the fjord at dawn, sails as far toward Dawes Glacier as ice allows, slowly turns so both sides get a view, then heads out to Juneau the same day. For 2026, several lines replaced their Tracy Arm visits with Endicott Arm, and some itineraries now call it a “Dawes Glacier” day.
Used by: Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, Disney, MSC and Virgin Voyages.
Smaller ships & expedition days
Smaller luxury and yacht-style ships can often linger longer and add their own expedition outings. Windstar’s Star Seeker offers guided Zodiac and kayak trips in the fjord, and Seabourn’s Ventures program includes Zodiac and kayak explorations here. These cost extra and depend on weather and ice.
Endicott Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer
On many sailings, the cruise line sells a small-boat excursion that starts right in the fjord. A high-speed catamaran meets your ship in Endicott Arm, you step aboard from a platform low on the ship, and the boat heads farther up the fjord than a large ship can go. With a small group on board and big windows, it can thread through floating ice toward the face of Dawes Glacier, stop for seals on the ice and mountain goats on the cliffs, and slide in close to the waterfalls.
Instead of returning you to the ship in the fjord, the boat cruises on through Stephens Passage to Juneau, where you step off next to your docked ship. It makes for a long, full day on the water, roughly five to six and a half hours depending on the line, with a naturalist narrating along the way. Names vary: Princess and Royal Caribbean call it the Endicott Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer, and Holland America sells it as Tracy Arm Fjord or Endicott Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer.
Sold by: Princess, Holland America and Royal Caribbean, on select sailings.
- Extra charge. This is a paid cruise line excursion, and it’s one of the pricier tours of an Alaska week. Snacks and hot drinks are usually included; some versions include a light lunch.
- How it works. You board the catamaran from your ship in the fjord and rejoin the ship in Juneau later that day, so you’ll have less time ashore in Juneau. Some lines also sell a shorter version that returns you to the ship in the fjord; check which one you’re booking.
- Good to know. Ice decides how close the boat gets, and the route can change on the day. The transfer uses a steep marine ramp, so it isn’t available to guests using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. It sells out, typically runs May through early September, and only on select sailings.
On board
What usually happens on board during a day in Endicott Arm. Details vary by line and ship.
- Naturalist narration. Many lines bring a naturalist or expedition guide on deck or over the ship’s speakers to talk about glaciers, wildlife and the wilderness around you.
- Open decks forward. On many ships, forward decks that are normally closed open up for the approach to the glacier. Watch the daily planner for times.
- Warm drinks on deck. Crews often bring hot chocolate, coffee or soup out to the open decks on glacier mornings. Specialty drinks and some cafés cost extra.
- The slow turn. Near the glacier, the captain often holds position and rotates the ship so guests on both sides get a look at the ice face.
Where to watch
The ship does the sailing. These are the spots and habits that make the most of it.
Up front early
The bow and forward decks give you the long view down the fjord as the ship sails in. Get there before the ship reaches the ice, because the best spots fill fast.
Along the sides
Side decks and the promenade are best for waterfalls, cliffs and seals on passing ice. A balcony is quieter but shows only one side, so plan to move around.
Indoors with a view
Forward observation lounges with big windows are a warm way to watch, and a good base between trips outside. They’re also the best option for guests who prefer not to stand on deck.
Before the day
- Ice decides how close. The captain sets the distance based on ice, visibility and weather. Some days the ship reaches the glacier face; on others it stops well short and you see the glacier from farther down the fjord.
- Plans can change. Heavy ice or poor weather can shorten the visit or change the scenic cruising route. Endicott Arm itself is often the stand-in for Tracy Arm, which most big ships are skipping after the 2025 landslide.
- Easy for every mobility level. You never leave the ship, and the view from indoor public lounges is good. Ask your advisor to request accessible seating information from the cruise line if it matters to you.
- Bring layers and binoculars. It can feel much colder near the ice than the forecast says. Binoculars or a zoom lens help you spot seals, eagles and mountain goats on the cliffs.
- Keep it quiet for wildlife. Harbor seals use the ice to rest and raise pups, so ships and small boats keep their distance. Skip drones and loud noise on deck.
Sailing to Endicott Arm
Endicott Arm appears mostly on seven-night Inside Passage round trips from Seattle and Vancouver, usually the same day as a Juneau call, and on some one-way Gulf of Alaska and small-ship itineraries.Find a cruisePlan with Harr Travel
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