Plan a CruiseKlawock Cruise Port Guide
Klawock, located on the central western shore of Prince of Wales Island, is emerging as a new cruise destination in Alaska, renowned for its sport fishing, unique culinary experiences, abundant wildlife viewing, and rich totem carving traditions. Cruise ships will utilize a floating tender dock for passenger disembarkation.
Klawock holds a strategic position as the "Crossroads" of Prince of Wales Island, where paved Scenic Byways branch out to connect to communities like Craig to the south, Hollis and the ferry terminal to the east, and various settlements on the northern half of the island. The community offers a range of services and boasts two unique distinctions: it is home to the island's largest employee-owned sawmill and its only airport runway. While the port features a deepwater capacity suitable for large cargo ships, cruise passengers will access the town via tender.
Getting Around from the Port
Once ashore via tender, local attractions like the Klawock Totem Park and the Heritage Center are located near the edge of town, suggesting they may be walkable or a short ride away from the tender dock area. For exploring the wider Prince of Wales Island, Klawock's designation as the "Crossroads" means you'll need transportation to venture along the Scenic Byways. While specific public transport or taxi services aren't detailed, "many services are available in the community," implying options for local movement or possibly car rentals for island exploration could be arranged. These byways lead to other communities like Craig (south), Hollis (east, near the ferry terminal), and various northern towns, allowing for independent discovery of the island's natural beauty and smaller settlements.
Attractions and Activities
- Klawock Totem Park: Discover a collection of 21 masterfully carved replica totem poles. These poles honor the original totems from Tuxekan, the ancestral winter village of the Heenya Kwaan people. Witnessing the raising of new poles in traditional ceremonies is a significant cultural event when it occurs.
- Klawock Heritage Center: Adjacent to the totem park, the Heritage Center features a longhouse and a carving shed. Visitors are welcome to observe the skilled carvers at work and engage with them, gaining insight into the intricate art of totem carving.
- Prince of Wales Island Exploration: Utilize Klawock's central location as a base to explore the scenic byways of Prince of Wales Island. Head south towards Craig, east to Hollis and its ferry terminal, or north to other communities. The island offers opportunities for independent wildlife viewing, sport fishing excursions (often requiring booking in advance with local outfitters), and experiencing the island's unique culinary offerings. Travel times and specific costs for island-wide activities will vary depending on your chosen destination and mode of transport.
Dining & Shopping
The community of Klawock provides "many services," which would include options for dining and shopping. While specific establishments are not detailed, you can expect opportunities to find local culinary experiences and unique souvenirs reflecting the area's rich totem carving traditions. Prices for goods and services in the U.S. typically do not include sales tax, which in Alaska can be up to 7.5% (though Klawock's specific rate isn't provided, it's generally lower than the typical 4-6% found in other states).
Currency and Language
The official currency in Klawock, and throughout the United States, is the United States Dollar (USD, symbol: $). ATMs are readily available for cash withdrawals. Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted for transactions of all sizes, often being the preferred or only payment method.
Important Notes for Overseas Visitors:
- Taxes: Posted prices for goods and services generally do not include sales tax, which will be added at checkout. While the reference states a typical range of 4-6% for sales tax in the US, Alaska has a unique tax structure with municipal sales taxes often lower, or even zero. Be aware this will be calculated and added to your total.
- Tipping: Tipping is customary and expected for service personnel in the U.S. Standard rates include:
- Full-service restaurants: 15-20% of the total bill. This often constitutes a significant portion of the server's income. Always check your bill, as a service charge is occasionally added automatically, especially for larger groups.
- Taxi drivers, hairdressers, personal services: 10-15%.
- Bartenders: $1 per drink for inexpensive beverages, or 15% of the total bill.
- Bellhops: $1-2 per bag, with a minimum of $3-5 regardless of the number of bags.
- Hotel doormen: $1 per bag if they assist, and $1 for calling a taxi.
- Tour guides: For half-day tours or less, $5-10 per person. For longer tours, $10-20 per person, depending on the quality and length of the excursion.
- Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20%.
- Hotel housekeeping: $1-2 per day for extended stays, or a minimum of $5 for very short stays (optional).
- Food delivery (e.g., pizza): $2-5, potentially more for very large orders.