Leader in Alaska Small Ship Cruises Outlines New Programs for 2012,

Cites Advantages of Booking through a Knowledgeable Aggregator

Tahoe City, CA, Oct. 26, 2011 ˆ In Alaska, over 25 itineraries, many new for 2012, and 19 ships are at the beck and call of AdventureSmith Explorations, www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/, the travel company that secures matches between adventure-seeking clients and a treasure trove of small expedition ships.

„We are the recognized leader in Alaska small ship cruising,‰ says Todd Smith, founder and director. „We offer more selection and more first-hand knowledge than anyone, including most of the reservation staffs of the cruise companies themselves.‰ The sheer volume of Alaska product requires objective analysis and being a leader in sales means that AdventureSmith Explorations can offer the most competitive prices.

„We help clients compare itineraries and small ships that carry from 12 to 86 guests; then we handle such details as traveling to the embarkation city, recommendations for packing, hotels, transfers, flights and tours, all at no extra cost to the client,‰ Smith says. He recommends that people book Alaska 10 or more months out to get the best price and selection of small ship cruising that ranges from luxury to floating base camps.

His partners in Alaska include Lindblad Expeditions, InnerSea Discoveries and American Safari, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Alaska Wildland Adventures and a host of smaller companies off the radar of most travelers and travel agents.

The following AdventureSmith Explorations‚ Alaska experiences are new for 2012.

Glacier Country Cruise on Safari Endeavour offers an upscale, 86-passenger yacht experience with the highest crew to passenger ratio, 1:2.5, of any small ship. On board are two hot tubs and a sauna, exercise equipment, an extensive wine menu, massage/yoga and spa services plus a full compliment of expedition gear including kayaks, paddle boards and nimble shore craft for daily hiking and kayaking excursions.

See: http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/19

Alaska Wilderness Explorer Cruises through Northern Passages and Glacier Bay aboard the 78-passenger Wilderness Explorer is a reincarnation of a Sitka-Juneau itinerary pioneered by Smith featuring three full days in Glacier Bay National Park (more time than any other small ship), daily hiking, kayaking and paddle boarding.  This itinerary can be combined with Eastern or Western Coves cruises for 21 days with no repeated sites.

See: http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/429

Glacier Bay and Islands aboard the 78-passenger Admiralty Dream  http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/97 and Inside Passage Soujourn aboard the 46-passenger Alaskan Dreamhttp://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/71 are operated by members of the Tlingit Kaagwaantaan Clan. These cruises focus on Alaska's nature, history and First Nations culture.

Smith noted that one long-time partner, Lindblad Expeditions, offers guests exclusive knowledge through the Alaska Whale Foundation. Their researchers and captains often have the inside track on where whales are most active, where to find bears fishing for salmon or whales cooperatively feeding. A team of 10 on-board naturalists from National Geographic offer live natural history lessons. All departures have an on-board photography expert as well. See: http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/60

Smith‚s company also partners with Within the Wild exclusive fly-in wilderness lodges, including Winterlake Lodge at the base of the spectacular Alaska Range, where upscale travelers can enjoy a four-day wilderness retreat.

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