AdventureSmith Explorations Celebrates 20 Years

This year, AdventureSmith Explorations, the global leader in small-ship adventure cruise vacations, marks 20 years of pioneering transformative travel experiences. Best known for curated expeditions in the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, and Alaska — where the idea for the company was hatched — the company’s reach is worldwide aboard 8- to 300-guest ships.

AdventureSmith has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Outside and Lonely Planet, and recognized as one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure. Drawing from two decades of navigating the small-ship cruising industry, Todd Smith, founder of AdventureSmith Explorations and ten-time recipient of Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist award, explains that his company’s longevity isn’t just about awards, or trips taken. He believes it’s the unique synergy between his staff, traveling clients and cruise operators that has led to the company’s success. Below, he shares the most important things he’s learned leading a travel business over the past two decades.

“When I founded AdventureSmith Explorations, I believed that the expedition cruising product was our biggest asset. We were on the forefront of a travel revolution, and it was so exciting to be a part of it,” says Smith. “Now I realize connection is the most important aspect of what we do. The personalized relationships we have with our clients, our staff and our partners are what sets us apart from our competition. We live and breathe small ship cruising, but it’s the people that are key to our success.”  

Maintaining a Consistent Crew & Passionate Company Culture

Smith says he’s incredibly proud that nearly half of the people AdventureSmith has ever hired are still with the company today. In fact, some have been with AdventureSmith nearly the entire 20 years, demonstrating strong company culture and the desire of its team members to be part of it.

“I am truly grateful for the best crew in the industry. And it’s through their expertise and firsthand continued travels that we can be the catalyst and link for our guests to explore new worlds,” said Smith.

One longtime crew member has traveled to 25 countries with AdventureSmith, plus Antarctica twice and Alaska four times. Another hails from the big ship cruise industry with more than 80 countries stamped on her passport. But they all have one thing in common: a passion for the ease and access of small ship cruising.

“Todd has this natural ability to attract really awesome people into his circle, which is what makes AdventureSmith so special,” said Arielle Lightcap, AdventureSmith Adventure Specialist. “AdventureSmith has brought a sense of belonging to me. Not many people are so lucky to enjoy what they do and the people they work with. I love when people ask me what I do and where I work. There’s a sense of pride that gets stronger every year.”

Fostering Relationships With Adventurous Travelers Who Come Back for More

Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures, one of AdventureSmith’s partner operators, has described the AdventureSmith clientele as people who are “adventure minded, well-traveled, eco-concerned, and looking for the next horizon in experiential and active travel.”

Smith can relate: “With two teenage boys at home, my style has changed from backcountry exploration to family adventure. This is why small ships are so perfect. They allow ordinary travelers to have extraordinary experiences that used to be reserved for rugged individualists,” he says. 

Parky May, a longtime AdventureSmith traveler, has completed 16 trips with the company, with two more scheduled through 2025.

“Todd was the naturalist on our second trip to Alaska” he says. “Fast forward a few years, I was doing online research and stumbled upon AdventureSmith. They are now my go-to for any travel. The firsthand knowledge of the AdventureSmith team is what’s so helpful. I want to talk to somebody who has been there.”

Seeking Out Like Minded Partners & Growing Together

At the heart of the AdventureSmith “think-outside-the-boat” perspective are small ships immersed in their environment, local culture and sustainability efforts. Each hand-selected operator offers an alternative to traditional cruising by taking guests up-close to wildlife and wilderness, to secluded coves and small ports that larger ships cannot access.

Thanks to the company’s close ties with these small ship operators, AdventureSmith staff has been aboard to help create new routes, offer ship rebuild advice and translate any needs of the destination to its travelers. As the entire AdventureSmith team can attest, the importance of working with like-minded partners who are willing to help cater and maximize traveler experiences is paramount.

“We spent our first decade in business explaining what small ship cruising was,” Smith says. “And our second has been helping already-savvy travelers find their best match through our trusted, vetted relationships. We can’t wait to set sail into this third decade in business.”