Adding to its list of accolades, The Boat Company has been recognized by the Seattle Times as a “Best in the Pacific Northwest” bronze winner in the Boat Cruise category.

More than 944,000 of the newspaper's readers cast votes this year with winners announced in late September.

“We are grateful to our passengers and other supporters who recognized our efforts to offer a superior experience while supporting our mission of protecting the Tongass National Forest,” said Hunter McIntosh, president and executive director of The Boat Company. “Seattle is the winter home for our vessels, and we believe this award demonstrate our neighbors' shared passion for all the Pacific Northwest.”

This award is just the latest The Boat Company has garnered. In 2024 it was named “Best Expedition Cruise Line” by the World Cruise Awards organization, and it was selected earlier this year as a Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards winner.

The Boat Company offers intimate, adventure-focused cruises between Juneau and Sitka, Alaska while helping to fund a broad range of conservation efforts. It is the only non-profit cruise company in the world and has provided monetary support to protect the Tongass National Forest for the last 40 years. The Tongass is one of the Earth's last substantially intact, temperate rainforests.

The Boat Company was founded in 1979 by Michael McIntosh, Sr. after he purchased a decommissioned U.S. Navy minesweeper, converted it to a tour boat and began offering week-long cruises. He set up the company as a non-profit organization so funds could be funneled to variety of conservation efforts.

The Boat Company operates two vessels accommodating 20 and 24 passengers respectively. Both vessels feature comfortable main salons, entertainment centers, libraries, dining areas, observation lounges and staterooms.

Cruises are conducted from mid-May through mid-September and feature seven-day itineraries between Juneau and Sitka. The two boats make the roughly 300 nautical mile journeys – either north to south or vice versa – beginning each Sunday and ending Saturday before they turn around and head in the opposite direction.

Every day's itinerary offers an array of adventures including fresh water fishing (both fly and traditional spin casting), guided hikes, beach combing, wildlife viewing and kayaking. There are also entertaining and educational presentations by the crew's trained naturalist guides.

Both vessels have head chefs preparing meals every day using high-quality ingredients and locally sourced food such as fish from Seafood Producers Cooperative (SPC), a Sitka-based, angler-owned organization that prioritizes ethical fishing. Chefs also prepare organic greens, and hikers are encouraged to forage for berries, herbs and other foods while anglers often share their daily catches.

The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States and covers most of Southeast Alaska. Because of its vast natural resources, the Tongass has been under siege by special interests, primarily logging companies that want to roll back protections and extract its abundant trees. The forest and coastal waters are home to a vast array of fish and mammals.

Reservations for cruises and more information are available by visiting The Boat Company's website or calling 1-360-697-4242.

About The Boat Company
Founded in 1979, The Boat Company is a non-profit, conservation-focused luxury cruise operator specializing in sustainable tourism in Southeast Alaska. Through unique itineraries and a commitment to environmental stewardship, The Boat Company offers transformative travel experiences while advocating for the preservation of the Tongass National Forest.