Huna Totem Corporation, which is owned by nearly 1,500 shareholders with Native Alaskan ancestry, has invested millions of dollars over the years in its privately owned cruise ship destination, Icy Strait Point.
Located in the town of Hoonah (about 30 miles west of Juneau), Icy Strait Point is a gateway to much Alaskan beauty, including Tongass National Forest by land and Glacier Bay by sea. Numerous cruise lines dock here — Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic and Holland America Line included — during the Alaska cruise season.
But Huna Totem is growing its presence in terms of ports this year — and has surprise news regarding the Caribbean. To get a better picture of what’s to come, we interviewed Russell Dick, president and CEO of Huna Totem.
What are you excited for in Alaska for the 2024 season?
This season holds immense potential as we continue to develop and expand our offerings across Alaska. We’re excited to celebrate 20 years at Icy Strait Point; we’ve come a long way, and we’ve developed an amazing port model there. And while it’s a great milestone, we’re not looking back at all. We are looking forward to the first year of calls at our Whittier and Klawock ports. Both promise unique opportunities for guests to engage with the local community, cultures and natural surroundings.
How have things evolved over time at Icy Strait Point, and what can visitors expect today and in the future?
Over the past 20 years, Icy Strait Point has transformed from a small tender port into a fully integrated destination that balances large guest capacity with sustainability. We’ve invested heavily in not only expanding our physical infrastructure — like adding two docks — but also in enhancing the quality and diversity of our cultural and recreational offerings.
As we look to the future, guests can expect a continued commitment to authentic and sustainable tourism practices, further elevating the Alaska travel experience while supporting our local community.
Russell Dick, president and CEO of Huna Totem
Credit: 2024 Huna Totem CorporationWhat can you tell us about the openings of Whittier (which has been a destination before) and Klawock as enhanced cruise ports? What opportunities will travelers have in each?
Whittier and Klawock will both open this year with a few calls while we continue to build out infrastructure. Whittier's transformation includes the construction of a double-berth pier, a terminal able to accommodate ship turns, ample parking and a multi-use terminal building.
Whittier will continue to expand its tour and retail options, promising cruise lines and their guests new and enriching experiences each season, further establishing Whittier as a must-visit destination in Alaska. In the next several years, developments include rail siding for direct access to the Alaska Railroad at the terminal and new tour expansions.
In Klawock, we’ve worked in partnership with the local Alaska Native village corporation Klawock Heenya to revitalize a former industrial site into a green cruise destination, emphasizing community and ecological respect. The initial phase includes a floating tender dock, welcome facilities, light retail options and shore excursions dispatch. Through Na Dena, our joint venture with Doyon, Limited, Alaska Independent Coach Tours will provide high-quality, culturally rich tours, leveraging the unique aspects of Klawock’s landscape and heritage.
Both ports will offer travelers distinct experiences rooted in their unique landscapes and cultural stories. Whittier will provide a gateway to South-central Alaska's stunning vistas and adventures, from glacier tours to historical explorations. Klawock, on the other hand, will captivate guests with its intimate, single-ship experience that showcases the charm of Prince of Wales Island. Importantly, these strategic expansions are designed to expand Alaska’s cruise port landscape capacity while also ensuring a more dispersed, enjoyable experience for travelers, thus promoting sustainable tourism across the region.
Huna Totem also recently announced it would expand into the Caribbean, in the U.S. Virgin Islands specifically. What can advisors expect to see in there in the coming years?
Our expansion into the U.S. Virgin Islands, in partnership with Chukka Caribbean Adventures, reflects our dedication to diversifying our destinations with a focus on sustainability and local engagement. Huna Totem has acquired a stake in Chukka USVI; this move highlights our shared commitment to innovative tourism and community-focused services.
Just like in Alaska, visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands can expect high-quality, culturally rich experiences that support local communities. By combining our expertise in Alaska tourism with Chukka’s established presence in Caribbean adventure offerings, we're not only broadening the range of experiences available to travelers but also ensuring these experiences are sustainable and beneficial to the communities we serve.
Back to Alaska, do you foresee developing any additional areas for cruise tourism?
We are continuously exploring new opportunities to expand our presence in Alaska, especially considering many cruise ports are currently facing capacity limits. Our approach remains focused on respecting our heritage and supporting local communities.
Currently, our efforts are concentrated on maximizing the potential of Whittier and Klawock, but we also formed a coalition with other Alaska Native corporations and community stakeholders, including Goldbelt Inc., Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida tribes, to lead efforts in developing a new pier and related infrastructure in Juneau. This will be the fifth and final dock built under the City and Borough of Juneau’s memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the cruise lines setting a five-ship maximum.
What facets of the upcoming season should travel agents share with their clients?
Travel agents should highlight the appeal of exploring new, less-crowded destinations within Alaska, available exclusively through our cruise offerings. Our ports like Whittier, Klawock and the established Icy Strait Point provide unique opportunities for visitors to experience Alaska's beauty away from the more congested ports. With the launch of Whittier and the upcoming opening of Klawock, we're offering guests distinct, immersive experiences in places that are not only rich in culture and adventure but [that are] also less traveled.
