AdventureSmith Explorations Helps Guide Return Of Small Ship Adventure Cruising To Alaska's Inside Passage

AdventureSmith Explorations Enhances Alaska Program with Two Newly Refurbished Ships and Never Before Offered Activities for the 2011 Season Where the Concept of Active Cruising First Began. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 02, 2010 - Tahoe City, CA - Two Newly Refurbished Ships and Never Before Offered Activities All Set for the 2011 Season Where the Concept of Active Cruising Began.

AdventureSmith Explorations, www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/ the active travel company that secures matches between adventure-seeking clients and a treasure trove of small, expedition ships returns to the Alaskan wilderness in the summer of 2011 with two newly renovated ships and a variety of unprecedented off-ship activities.

The redesigned vessels now in place for next summer are the same pioneering small ships that AdventureSmith Explorations founder and president, Todd Smith, helped design and direct during their first deployment to Alaska in the 1990s. They were the first cruises of their kind to offer enough kayaks and gear to accommodate every passenger during off-vessel wilderness activities which evolved to become the primary focus of today's adventure cruise.

"When these ships (the M/V Wilderness Adventurer and M/V Wilderness Discoverer) were pulled in 2005 there was a void in adventure cruising in this region," said Smith. "It's beyond exciting for me to be involved in their re-launch with InnerSea Discoveries and to help design and expand off-ship programs to include never-before offered activities."

For the first time, guests will be able to pick and choose from traditional included activities such as in-depth wilderness explorations by zodiac, kayak or naturalist guided walks, to new, ground-breaking optional activities such as overnight wilderness kayaking, hiking and camping, expert fishing charters from the ship (local guides/boats rendezvous with the vessel to take clients fishing for the day) and flight-seeing. There will be some new activities included in the programming as well such as paddle boarding, caving and snorkeling.

The new program has several advantages over the original adventure cruises. The ships which used to carry up to 88 passengers will operate with a maximum of only 49 passengers. This will provide more space on board and allow for more time to engage in off-vessel activities. The ships are now being completely refurbished with new amenities such as an on board sauna and hot tub with a view, exercise equipment, on-deck yoga classes, massage services (additional charge) and TVs with DVD players. Guests with flip and video cameras are encouraged to film daily activities, later to be shared via video monitors in the main salon or streamed into cabin TVs during social hour before dinner or afterwards.

Also included in the re-fit will be bow-mounted underwater cameras to pipe in images from below the waves into the main salon's flat screen TVs and into cabins via designated channels.

Two 7-night/8-day itineraries planned for the 2011 season will actively explore the Eastern and Western Coves of southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. The independent itineraries can be combined for a longer cruise. Singly or together they provide a comprehensive overview of this state's primal wilderness that can only be accessed by small vessels. This means that discerning guests will be far removed from large cruise ship crowds.

Smith has been intimately involved in the relaunch, consulting with InnerSea Discoveries (owner of vessels) on the cruise itineraries and on-board and off-ship adventure programs that take the original concept of active cruising to the next level.

The upcoming programs start at $1,795 per person for a 7-night/8-day cruise. There are also three dedicated family departures on June 25, July 23 and Aug. 13. Families with children 12 and under save 25 percent on all departures and 30 percent on these dedicated family trips.

For a detailed itinerary, departure dates and ship descriptions please see:
Eastern Coves Tour:
http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/54
Western Coves Tour:
http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/38
Wilderness Adventurer:
http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/accommprofile.php/d/alaska/accid/68
Wilderness Discoverer:
http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/accommprofile.php/d/alaska/accid/123

The company offers a free brochure and DVD. Please call 800-728-2875 or email travel ( @ ) AdventureSmithExplorations dot com dot

About Adventure Smith Explorations
AdventureSmith Explorations is the global leader in small ship, adventure cruise vacations. Company founder Todd Smith helped pioneer the concept of wilderness cruising that combines the comforts of a small cruise ship with the adventure of sea kayaking, hiking and exploring remote wilderness areas ashore. The company matches guests with the top names in small ship cruising as well with intimate, boutique ships that may not make the radar of most travelers.

In moving through exotic natural environments and exploring vibrant native cultures seldom associated with more mainstream cruise itineraries, AdventureSmith Explorations dedicates its efforts to small footprint, sustainable travel and has launched a carbon free cruising initiative. Its off-the-beaten-path destinations include Alaska, Baja, Costa Rica, Belize, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Hawaii, Peru, the Arctic, Antarctica, and Australia.

The company's mission is to give back to the individuals, communities and environments touched by AdventureSmith Explorations trips by connecting travelers with a network of grassroots and global nonprofit partners worldwide including the Alaska Natural History Association, Neotropica Foundation and Galapagos Conservancy. The company was named by National Geographic Adventure as one of "The Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth" and is the recipient of Conde Nast Traveler's prestigious "World Savers Award."

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, California along the western shore of Lake Tahoe. Phone: 800-728-2875 toll-free or 530-583-1775. Email: travel ( @ ) AdventureSmithExplorations dot com or visit: www dot AdventureSmithExplorations dot com dot

For media inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:
Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / sara ( @ ) widnesspr dot com
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Contact: Todd Smith
AdventureSmith Explorations
Email: Todd@AdventureSmithExplorations.com
Tel: (800) 728-2875 / (530) 583-1775
Website: www.AdventureSmithExplorations.com

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