Saturday, 22 March 2025

Spring 2025 Small-ship Adventure Travel News & Trends


AdventureSmith Explorations is kicking off the spring season with pride for the recognition received by two of our team members who were recently named among the
2025 Top Travel Specialists by Condé Nast Traveler! This marks the 12th consecutive year company founder Todd Smith, a pioneer in the small-ship adventure cruise industry, has been recognized and the first for long-time team member Andrew Browning.

TOP ITINERARIES BOOKING NOW
AdventureSmith's adventure specialists are so awarded because they help travelers hone in on the very best itineraries, and closely follow what's new and trending in travel. In any destination—but in particular, bucket-list places like Galapagos, Alaska, the polar regions—this can make a really big difference. Here's some of what we're watching and some of the unique itineraries we've helped travelers book:


Galapagos:
Leslie recently booked a group of 13 aboard what she investigated to be one of the most comprehensive 8-day Galapagos cruises for their needs. The 8-day Western Islands route of Natural Paradise Galapagos Cruises hits nearly every top island, making it a standout route. Another unique Galapagos trip coordinated by the AdventureSmith team links together a comprehensive itinerary that combines the Amazon with time on both land and sea in the Galapagos for a family of six.

Alaska: Alaska small ship cruises are popular right now, with Glacier Bay National Park celebrating 100 years, a beloved small ship back on the water, and Denali trips taking things to new heights. In particular, when visiting Glacier Bay and Denali, having an expert who can easily navigate the nuances of permits, logistics, and help make the most of your time in park matters. Some of the top trips for this summer as booked by our experts include:
  • Taylor thinks this combo is her best of the summer: the Wild & Woolly Alaska Cruise aboard an 86-guest ship combined with Within the Wild, which pairs luxury backcountry accommodations with exploratory hikes, helicopter- and floatplane-assisted adventures, glacier trekking, fishing and bear viewing.
  • Arielle is excited to have clients aboard the highly coveted Aleutian Islands Cruise with Kodiak, Katmai & Kenai. Sailings start in late May for this noteworthy new route that sold out all six of its 2025 departures shortly after being announced in 2023, but a few cabins have opened up last minute. Sailings in 2026 are also already waitlisted. Travelers aboard will explore the rugged, volcanic Aleutian Islands along the Ring of Fire, plus the wilderness of Kenai and Katmai National Parks and the bear-rich Kodiak Island, all aboard a 36-guest yacht. We haven't seen a ship this small sail this region. 
  • Also noteworthy are Alaska yacht charters that can still be planned for 2025. There are still 31 weeks of availability aboard multiple different charter yachts, allowing for significant customization.
Costa Rica: Our charter clients are loving the new Kontiki Pura Vida Expedition Cruise option for 2025. We've been able to provide all sorts of extras based on traveler needs including additional watercraft rentals such as SUPs, kayaks, dive gear, Seabob underwater Jet Skis, plus surf lessons and more.


Greenland:
We've recently booked a few guests to experience the add-on Tundra to Table dining experience aboard the 199-guest Ultramarine's Greenland cruises and Northwest Passage expeditions. For just $125 per person, travelers are treated to a four-course Greenlandic fusion menu prepared by local chefs who work with local hunters and highlight indigenous culinary traditions. The chefs travel along on the voyage and join excursions to interact with guests and forage for some ingredients along the way.
 
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE ADVENTURESMITH'S SPECIALISTS?
Our team of travel experts have cruised aboard or personally inspected nearly every small ship and lodge on our website, ensuring we can best match traveler requests and advise on logistics coordination. Here's where our team is headed next:
  • April 2025: We'll have two staff members in the field, sailing the Galapagos Islands and taking one of our top-rated Alaska small ship cruises.
  • May 2025: We'll be among the first aboard a brand-new catamaran that is set to be the highest-end option available in the Galapagos.
  • June 2025: Our specialist will fly into a remote lodge in Denali National Park for the most exclusive experience in the park.
  • July 2025: AdventureSmith's founder will sail on a mega-yacht around Malta and Italy, where we have newly expanded itineraries. Plus, another of our specialists will be exploring the cayes of Belize aboard a small catamaran.
  • Aug. 2025: Top Travel Specialist Andrew Browning sets off for the Northwest Passage during a prime time for whales and wildlife.
  • Nov. 2025: We'll have staff experiencing early-season Antarctica aboard one of the top active expedition ships.
The AdventureSmith Explorations team are experts in small-ship adventure cruise travel and are happy to provide perspective on a variety of topics. View the company's spokesperson topics and feel free to reach out with questions.

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