February 20, 2006

Tahoe City, CA > The best way to explore Alaska's vast coastal wilderness is by small ship or yacht. And this summer, small ship cruise specialist, AdventureSmith Explorations, is offering more choices than ever with an array of unique itineraries featuring small ships and yachts. With a passenger count from just 12 to 100, these cruises are perfect for active travelers seeking to explore Alaska's wilderness away from the crowds.

New for 2006, AdventureSmith announces two cruises featuring adventure yachts. These specially outfitted, 12-passenger yachts feature daily exploration by Zodiac, guided nature hikes and kayak excursions, while each night features fine dining, interpretive lectures and comfortable accommodations.

The company's Prince William Sound Discovery Cruise explores the vast marine wilderness of Alaska's Prince William Sound-with an abundance of tidewater glaciers, wildlife and scenic beauty-ideal for up close exploration by motor yacht. The 6-day itinerary features the 12-passenger M/V Discovery. Cruises depart round trip from Anchorage, between May and September, with rates starting at $3,100 per person.

The Active Inside Passage cruise aboard the 12-passenger M/V Catalyst features the wilderness areas of Alaska's Inside Passage. This 7-day yacht adventure explores the intricate network of waterways, remote islands and unique wildlife that make Southeast Alaska such a spectacular cruise destination. Cruises sail between Petersburg and Juneau, from June to September, with rates starting at $3,125 per person.

The company's two expedition ships, the 68-passenger Sea Lion and Sea Bird, also explore the Inside Passage with opportunities to sea kayak and hike ashore. With a naturalist guide, guests explore forest trails, enjoy Zodiac and kayaking forays, and learn about Alaska's rich Native heritage plus spend a full day in Glacier Bay National Park. 8-day cruises depart between May and September, sailing between Juneau and Sitka, with rates starting at $4,390 per person.

For soft, easy cruising with an emphasis on style and service, AdventureSmith Explorations offers its most popular cruise, the Wilderness Inside Passage Cruise. From the moment guests set sail from Juneau aboard the 84-passenger Spirit of Discovery, the experience is only the backcountry wilderness areas of Alaska's Inside Passage; places such as Admiralty Island, also known as "Fortress of the Bears," the fjords of Baranof and Chichagof Islands, and the tiny village of Elfin Cove, population 32. These 9-day cruises depart round trip from Juneau, between May and September, with rates starting at $3,849 per person.

The company also offers shorter cruises, perfect for combining with a land excursion: the 4- or 5-day Prince William Sound Wonderland cruise, starting at just $1,299 or a 4- or the 4- or 5-day Glacier Bay Highlights cruise at $1,399. When combined with the 6-day, land-based Denali Backcountry Explorer, it's a perfect way to get the best of Alaska by land and by sea. The Denali Backcountry Explorer is unique in that guests truly visit the heart of Denali National Park at Kantishna, located 90 miles inside of the park. Rates are $1,995 per person, double occupancy.

When guests combine any of the above cruises with AdventureSmith Explorations' Alaska land tours, they receive $100 off per person if they book by May 31, 2006. Land tours include the 5-day Brown Bears of Katmai, the 6-day Denali Backcountry Explorer and the 8-day Kenai and Denali Journey.

For reservations or more information, visit www.AdventureSmithExplorations.com, call 1-800-728-2875 or email travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com.

AdventureSmith Explorations is an ecotourism company specializing in small ship cruises and adventure tours founded on the ideal of utilizing travel to create connections with the world's exotic natural environments and native cultures. The company's founder, Todd Smith, utilizes his years of experience in the adventure travel industry as well as his expertise as a professional naturalist to distinguish AdventureSmith Explorations by combining fun and exciting activities such as sea kayaking, hiking, small ship cruising and rafting in places not found on more conventional itineraries; extraordinary places in such destinations as Alaska, Costa Rica, Belize, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Guatemala, Antarctica and New Zealand.

Attention Media: For more information and downloadable, hi-res images, view the media resources in our Press Room at AdventureSmithExplorations.com.