Klawock, with a population of about 800, is situated on Prince of Wales Island. This is their first year in the cruise ship business, and unlike Ketchikan, less than 90 kilometres away, they are working hard to increase the number of ships visiting there. (Ketchikan, along with Juneau and Skagway, are looking at restricting the number of cruise ships and some residents are even hoping that occasional cruise-free days can be scheduled!)
As we filed onto Klawock’s brand new docking facility from the
Regatta (their third cruise ship ever), we were treated to a Tlingit welcoming
ceremony with singing and dancing and refreshments followed by a free shuttle
to a unique arts and crafts exhibition and totem carving centre. The beautiful native work we were shown was
probably the most authentic that we saw anywhere in Alaska.
