AK trip - Tracy Arm Fjord, Getting There

[Mike Lewis]

So the last day of our cruise as we approached our final destination of Juneau, we took an amazing side trip into Tracy Arm Fjord. It is one of many smaller channels carved out by the intense glacial activity that created these channels along the Southeast coast of Alaska. It is actually pretty narrow, too narrow for any of the big ships to enter. In fact, on the previous cruise before ours our ship had to turn away because there was still too much ice present, so we were the first visit of the season. You can hopefully see where it is located on this map snip in the lower right, and see Juneau in the upper left for context.

By this time in the trip we had absolutely stunning weather, and the cruise down this narrow fjord with sheer rock walls was amazing. here are 2 from our approach into the fjord. What awaited us at the end of the fjord were 2 glaciers that provided the highlight experience of the trip. I'll document that in my next post...

Entering Tracy Arm Fjord:

Fjord Jewels:

Comments and critiques welcome.

ML

 

[AlanLichty]

Stunning scenery in this fjord - was this shot from a smaller boat or the cruise ship? Looks like it would be a hard place to turn around for a full sized cruise ship. Incredible view in the last image.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Stunning scenery in this fjord - was this shot from a smaller boat or the cruise ship? Looks like it would be a hard place to turn around for a full sized cruise ship. Incredible view in the last image.

Alan,

The ship we were on was a small ship - ~80 total crew and guests combined. That said, it was close in there, as the walls are solid rock and get a little close at times. But all of these fjords are also surprisingly deep too, so that makes it possible to navigate I guess. For reference, here is an image of the ship (in a different location earlier in our cruise...) This was shot from a small skiff.

ML

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Very nice views Mike.

 

[JimFox]

What an awesome trip. I like you sharing the map as well.

My favorite is the Fjord Jewels image, though I would suggest cropping down from the top to lose that bit of blue as it's pretty distracting to the eye.

I am not sure if this was your intention, but I know I would really enjoy a post where you show photos on your cruise ship itself. Like your room, and any other areas on the ship you took photos of.

 

[Michael13]

What an experience! The views are tranquil, yet spectacular.

 

[Mike Lewis]

What an awesome trip. I like you sharing the map as well.

My favorite is the Fjord Jewels image, though I would suggest cropping down from the top to lose that bit of blue as it's pretty distracting to the eye.

I am not sure if this was your intention, but I know I would really enjoy a post where you show photos on your cruise ship itself. Like your room, and any other areas on the ship you took photos of.

Jim,

Well unfortunately, I probably do not have any of those... I am too busy taking images without people in them I am afraid. If my wife has any ill post them in this thread. The room was small but really quite nice and comfortable, and the the rest of the ship seemed spacious with the small number of people on board.

ML

 

[JimFox]

Jim,

Well unfortunately, I probably do not have any of those... I am too busy taking images without people in them I am afraid. If my wife has any ill post them in this thread. The room was small but really quite nice and comfortable, and the the rest of the ship seemed spacious with the small number of people on board.

ML

Yes, please post some behind the scenes photos if your wife took any.