About Us

About Our Founders

Since 1994, Waterways Cruises and Events has been a key fixture in Seattle’s vibrant lake and Puget Sound cruising scene. What started as a small, family-run operation with just one yacht has blossomed into a fleet of four vessels, each offering unique dining and entertainment experiences. Today, we’re proud to host over 60,000 guests annually to celebrate intimate weddings and rehearsal dinners, unique corporate events, milestone celebrations, and memorable public dining cruises.

Leading Waterways are co-founders Shirley Turnbow and Hilton Smith, whose diverse backgrounds and shared passions have become the heart of our brand.

Before co-founding Waterways, Shirley Turnbow had a multifaceted career that spanned senior paralegal roles, real estate, and ventures in food and antique businesses. Her extensive expertise in law, real estate, and entrepreneurship is matched by a deep commitment to community service and mentorship. Shirley’s leadership at Waterways is defined by her belief in employee development, ensuring our team not only grows professionally but also thrives personally.

Shirley says she is inspired every day by her family, her husband and Co-founder Hilton Smith, and the Waterways team.

Co-founder, Hilton Smith, brings a rich blend of real estate and finance expertise, a passion for boats and history, and an educational background from Princeton and Stanford to Waterways. His mantra, “If you make a mistake… make another decision,” guides our mission towards excellence and innovation, ensuring Waterways remains a leader in creating meaningful experiences on the water.

Hilton shares Shirley’s motivation to make a difference in the lives of others. He has dedicated his time and expertise to several boards and committees, with a particular focus on enhancing educational opportunities, environmental stewardship, and alleviating poverty.

Together, Shirley and Hilton have cultivated much more than a thriving business; they’ve fostered a community grounded in care, excellence, and positive impact.

Our Story: 30 Years on the Water

Seattle has always been a city shaped by water. From the working fishing fleets of the early 1900s to the iconic ferry system that connects Puget Sound communities, the waterways surrounding the city have long served as both transportation routes and gathering places. In the midst of this maritime culture, one company quietly built a tradition of its own.

Since 1994, Waterways Cruises and Events has become a familiar presence on Seattle’s lakes, offering a way for locals and visitors alike to experience the city from its most natural vantage point on the water.

The story of Waterways Cruises began with a shared love of boating. In April 1994, husband and wife Shirley Turnbow and Hilton Smith launched the company with a single yacht and an idea: combine Seattle’s scenic waterways with elevated hospitality and dining.

At the time, the concept was modest. The founders envisioned small gatherings on the water, intimate celebrations, and private charters where guests could relax while cruising past Seattle’s floating homes, historic bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods.

What began as a hobby quickly gained momentum. Seattle’s natural beauty and growing tourism industry created a demand for experiences that showcased the region from the water. Within its first year, the business began expanding, transforming from a small charter operation into a full-time venture.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Seattle was experiencing a period of rapid growth. The technology boom was reshaping neighborhoods, South Lake Union was evolving from an industrial hub into a center of innovation, and tourism was increasing as more travelers discovered the Pacific Northwest. Waterways Cruises grew along with the city.

Over the years the company expanded its fleet, eventually operating multiple vessels designed specifically for dining and events. These yachts began hosting weddings, corporate celebrations, holiday parties, and public dining cruises that allowed guests to experience Seattle’s waterways in a relaxed and elegant setting.

One of the defining aspects of Waterways Cruises is its connection to Seattle’s lake culture. Unlike harbor sightseeing tours focused on Puget Sound, Waterways’ routes highlight the intimate waterways that weave through the city. Cruises often travel through Lake Union and Lake Washington, passing many of Seattle’s most recognizable waterfront sights.

Guests may glide past the colorful floating homes that line the shores of Lake Union, including houseboats that have appeared in films and television. The cruise may pass beneath the Montlake Cut, a narrow channel that links the two lakes and serves as one of the city’s most fascinating engineering features.

From the water, Seattle reveals a different character. The skyline rises behind Gas Works Park, historic wooden boats rest in quiet marinas, and rowing shells from the University of Washington skim across the lake’s surface. For many visitors and even longtime residents, seeing these scenes from a yacht deck provides a fresh perspective on the city.

Food has always played a central role in the Waterways experience. Rather than focusing solely on sightseeing, the company built its reputation around dining cruises and event hospitality. Menus often reflect the flavors of the Pacific Northwest, with seasonal ingredients and locally sourced products shaping the culinary offerings. Cruises range from casual lunch outings to elegant evening dinners where guests can watch the sun set over the Olympic Mountains while enjoying a multi-course meal.

The atmosphere blends the relaxed spirit of the Northwest with a touch of occasion, something between a dinner party and a scenic cruise. Entertainment has also become part of the experience, with live music, themed events, and seasonal celebrations adding energy to the sailings.

Despite decades of growth, Waterways Cruises has remained a family-owned business, an increasingly rare distinction in Seattle’s evolving hospitality landscape. The company’s leadership has emphasized personal service and a strong connection to the community. Employees often remain with the organization for many years, creating a sense of continuity that guests notice when they step aboard. This family-driven approach has helped Waterways maintain its identity even as Seattle itself has changed dramatically.

Over the past three decades, the vessels of Waterways Cruises have become the setting for thousands of personal milestones.  Couples have exchanged vows against a backdrop of shimmering water and mountain views. Companies have hosted celebrations marking new achievements. Families have gathered to toast birthdays, anniversaries, and reunions while cruising through the lakes that define Seattle’s landscape. Each event becomes part of the company’s quiet legacy, a collection of moments shared on the water.

As Waterways Cruises celebrates more than 30 years in operation, its story reflects the broader history of Seattle itself. What began as a small boating venture grew alongside a rapidly changing city while remaining rooted in the region’s maritime heritage.

Today the yachts continue to glide through the same waterways that have shaped Seattle for generations. From floating homes to historic bridges, sunset reflections to lively celebrations on deck, Waterways Cruises offers a reminder that some of the best views of Seattle have always come from the water.

Our Team

Our small office team, consisting of eight close-knit individuals who are more than just colleagues but a family, brings together diverse backgrounds and skill sets united by a shared passion for quality, adventure, and delivering a one-of-a-kind experience. Working cohesively, we infuse creativity, dedication, and a sense of unity into everything we do. Meanwhile, our onboard team works hard to ensure a seamless and memorable journey for our guests, going the extra mile to anticipate needs, provide personalized services, and foster an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. Together, we are dedicated to exceeding expectations and leaving a lasting impression on all who choose to cruise with us.

Waterways Cruises is a proud partner with a number of respected organizations in the tourism, travel, and marine communities. Our partners are dedicated to supporting tourism, travel, hospitality, economic development and maritime activities in the Pacific Northwest.

Waterways is also proud to be a participant in the Passenger Vessel Association’s GREEN WATERS program, a voluntary environmental stewardship initiative exclusively for PVA members, focused on following and promoting green business practices in the maritime community.

Do you want to work where every day is exciting, challenging, and rewarding; where you can make someone’s day just a little more special? Do you want to work in a fun environment on the water, for owners and managers who genuinely care about you? If you do, and want to be part of a great team of hospitality professionals who value respect, cooperation, and hard work, then Waterways is the place for you.