Joseph Travel Blog: Tracy Arm Fjord Disney Cruise Line Excursion

We woke up that morning slowly moving thru the Inside Passage. Through our cabin window we could see the enormous mountains that made us feel small in comparison. Out in the distance we noticed a small boat sailing along with us. As we continued to watch, it grew closer and closer to us. It almost seemed as if it were going to collide with our big ship. How could this be? Surely he could see us! And yes, as we watched, the boat did indeed collide with us, so to speak. Just below our window we watched the boat link up with our ship and then two men walked over the bow of their boat and into ours. Not long after, we heard the announcement from our Ship’s captain that our Naturalist Guides for the day, who would narrate our journey through the Tracy Arm Fjord, had boarded our ship and would begin their narrative shortly. We looked forward to our day sailing through the icy wilderness ocean waters, of the Tracy Arm Fjord.

It was cold and misty and since most of our day we planned to be on deck taking in the view I was a little put out by the weather. I’m sure if you spoke to my husband my attitude about sitting out in the rain all day stunk, really stunk. However, even in the cold and wet they were some of the most breath taking views I’ve ever seen . And, in all honesty maybe when traveling to Alaska it should be cold and wet. It is part of the magic that reminds you that you are in a special place reserved for only the brave and strong. So, cold and wet on a Disney Cruise qualifies as brave and strong. My husband is among the brave and strong he absolutely relished the day even in the cold. I eventually found a warm chair inside the Outlook Café on deck 10. It was a nice place to take in the view and still be close enough to hop outside and take a few pictures.


There’s my husband braving the cold and wet

On the excursion up the fjord we saw seals, whales, and Eagles. Along with icebergs, and waterfalls. The crew even lifted a small iceberg out of the water and brought in on deck for us to see and touch. He reminded us the air escaping from the melting iceberg on the deck was thousands of years old. It sort of made licking the berg unappetizing, thank goodness for my children’s sake.

When we got to the end of the Fjord at the foot of the Sawyer Glacier we, along with every other passenger on board clamored to the bow of the ship to get our pictures and see the amazing view.

Here’s the view we had from the bow of the ship with everyone else. Spectacular huh?

After pushing our way thru the crowds to see the glacier we found a nice surprise as the crew had set up a hot chocolate station and was passing out warm chocolate chip cookies. This along with the deck side salmon bar-b-queue in the Beach Blanket Bingo Buffet was a welcome treat to our misty day at sea. Just after we had settled back into our cozy seats in the Outlook Café our Captain announced overhead that the ship would be making a full 180 degree turn and that everyone should have a spectacular view of the glacier from where they were on deck, not to worry. This is the biggest tip I would pass on to other cruisers excited for their excursion on the Tracy Arm, be patient and wait, the view will come to you. And, it did without the crowds and the heads in my way. We even got to see the glacier calve as we stood and admired how beautiful and powerful it seemed. It was an amazing moment as we stood unencumbered on the deck sipping our hot chocolate. Even the weather cleared up bit and stopped raining. Aaah, this was the Alaska I was hoping for.