Drew Schmidt of San Juan Cruises wins Nomination for WBA Award

Congratulations to Drew Schmidt for being selected as finalist in the Whatcom Business Alliance Annual Awards program – the Business Person of the Year category! Captain Drew Schmidt has owned and operated passenger and charter vessels in Bellingham since 1987, starting with Gray Line Cruises and then in 1991, his own company, San Juan Cruises. The business has thrived despite the Covid pandemic, border restrictions in 2020, fuel price fluctuations, and economic downturns. Drew is especially adept at offering specialty dinner cruises and other innovations to help when traditional business slumps.

Today, San Juan Cruises operates four vessels and offers a variety of cruises, including crab dinner cruises, wine and beer tasting and bird watching cruises, whale watching trips, and private charters. Schmidt, a tenant at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, recently assumed management of the popular maritime-themed “Inside Passage” gift shop. He continues to look for opportunities to add services or to improve an existing service. San Juan Cruises is a member of the Pacific Whale Watching Association and has been practicing responsible whale watching for over 30 years. The company adheres to rules that exceed state and federal guidelines to protect whales’ well-being, both now and in the future.

Drew loves to give back to the local community that has supported his business through thick and thin. He serves on the Board of the Lodging and Tourism Commission for the both the County and the City of Bellingham, which encourages growth in the County’s tourism sector. Also, he serves as a board member of Bellingham SeaFeast, the annual waterfront festival held every fall. His son is serving as a captain of one of the firm’s vessels and other family members are contributing, but after thirty-five years of work in and service to Whatcom County, Drew sees no need to slow down; witness: he recently opened a popular fish & chips café in the Bellingham Cruise Terminal! Whatcom County is lucky to have Drew Schmidt at the helm of several waterfront endeavors.

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