Making the most of Klawock AK
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
A new Alaska cruise destination is being developed near the Tlingit village of Klawock, highlighting sport fishing, food experiences, wildlife watching and totem-carving traditions. Plans include a floating tender dock.
Sightseeing options include:
Klawock lies on the central west coast of Prince of Wales Island, a position that makes it the island's “Crossroads”. Paved Scenic Byways meet here, running south to Craig, east to Hollis and its ferry terminal, and north to communities across the upper half of the island. The settlement provides numerous services and holds two distinctions: the island's largest employee-owned sawmill and its only airport runway. Klawock also has a deepwater harbour capable of loading large vessels.
Getting around
The totem park contains 21 skilfully carved copies of the original poles from Tuxekan, the Heenya Kwaan people's first winter village. Traditional ceremonies marking the raising of new poles have inspired major celebrations in recent years. Near the edge of town, a heritage centre includes a longhouse and carving shed; visitors may watch and speak with the carvers while they work.
Money
The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar, represented by $. ATMs are widespread.
Major credit cards including Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, even for purchases costing only a few dollars, and are sometimes the sole payment method. Overseas visitors should remember that displayed prices often look lower than the final total because taxes and gratuities are rarely included.
Most states levy sales tax of between 2.9% and almost 10% of the retail price, with 4-6% common. It is generally added at the till rather than included in marked prices. Gasoline and, in most states, alcoholic drinks consumed on-premises are exceptions.
Opening Hours and
In metropolitan centres such as New York and Los Angeles, many supermarkets and drugstores routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Department stores, shopping centres and other large retailers normally trade from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, with shorter Sunday hours, generally 11 a.m. or noon until 5 or 6 p.m. Shops often remain open on holidays but usually close for the most important, including Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.