Virgin Revises 2027 Alaska Cruises Over Tracy Arm Landslide Risk
On the September 10, 2027, voyage, Astoria will be replaced by a sea day to meet Vancouver tidal windows, with guests receiving a $33 refund for port taxes and fees.
Virgin Voyages has revised 16 departures in its 2027 Alaska and Pacific coast program, changing scenic routes, port calls and arrival or departure times for safety, navigation and guest-feedback reasons. The affected sailings are aboard Brilliant Lady, Virgin’s fourth ship, which will return for a second summer in the region with cruises from Seattle and Vancouver.
In a statement to travel advisors, Virgin said the adjustments would leave “ship assignment, voyage length, and core onboard experience” unchanged.
Tracy Arm landslide risk drives route changes
On 13 sailings, scenic cruising through Endicott Arm and at Dawes Glacier will replace the planned route near Tracy Arm Fjord. Virgin attributed the substitution to continuing landslide risk in the Tracy Arm area.
A major slope failure near South Sawyer Glacier entered the fjord on August 10, 2025, generating a local tsunami. The U.S. Geological Survey warns that the steep, newly exposed landslide scar could continue to shed rock and produce smaller landslides capable of generating further waves. The original event also caused strong currents and prolonged wave activity in nearby waters.
Separately, Virgin is replacing Prince Rupert calls with visits to Victoria on 12 sailings following passenger feedback. The revised schedules provide a full day in Victoria, where the line pointed to the Inner Harbour and historic downtown as attractions.
Call times shift from Juneau to Astoria
Inside Passage cruising will now appear in the itinerary descriptions as a sea day. Virgin also revised tender-port arrangements and call times involving Juneau, Sitka and Icy Strait Point.
For the voyage departing August 24, 2027, the scheduled departure from Victoria will be at 6 p.m. Virgin attributed that timing to local harbor restrictions.
The September 10, 2027, voyage will lose its scheduled Astoria call to accommodate tidal navigation windows at Vancouver. A sea day will replace the Oregon port visit, and the revised itinerary gives passengers additional time in San Francisco. Guests on that sailing will receive a refund of $33 per person for Astoria port taxes and fees.
See current Brilliant Lady fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.
