AdventureSmith Explorations announced that it has seen the following trends among travelers booking small ship cruises with the company:

Bookings

Booking windows have lengthened, indicating that travelers are planning farther ahead and booking less last-minute travel.

Shift to Advanced Reservations

The company said higher demand is evidenced by small-ship fleets setting departure dates farther into the future than seen previously.

Operators are also having their earliest launch dates in history, listing 2027 and even 2028 dates before 2026 even begins. In addition, select expedition cruises are experiencing multiple-year sell-outs with waitlists.

Micro- and Small-Ship Growth

In 2025, AdventureSmith has seen a 20 percent increase in bookings aboard ships that are 30 guests or less and a 101 percent jump in organic traffic for new users to their small ship cruises webpage over the past two years to date vs. the previous two years.

Digital Dual Trend

Some travelers are seeking opportunities for a “digital detox,” but many are asking to stay connected in remote areas.

Sales

New this year, some cruise operators are extending “winter” sales versus offering a specific weeklong campaign.

The company said in a press release that guests can now take advantage of its 2026 Alaska cruise offerings before space is limited by January, which is historically AdventureSmith’s biggest booking month.

New early-booking Alaska small-ship cruise deals are available.

New AdventureSmith Small-Ship Cruise Options

AdventureSmith said that there is increased interest from families and adults seeking to travel with their own demographic.

The company added that, from Alaska small-ship cruises to Galapagos cruises, it is offering more cruises with kid-friendly meals, activities and other families.

Music is also a focus on a series of luxury small-ship cruises.

Highlight itineraries include the following:

“Spirited Shores: Ireland to Portugal Cruise” in June 2027:

• Aboard the Douglas Mawson
• Exploring the history of Europe’s shores with a master storyteller host who is a professor, archaeologist or curator

 

“Active & Wild Antarctica Air Cruise: on February 23, 2027:

• Aboard the Sylvia Earle
• A cruise for women only, led by female expedition leaders.

 

 AdventureSmith Travel Specialists’ Calendar

• In November, a team member will experience early-season Antarctica while another will be in Australia for the christening of an expedition ship
• In January 2026, a specialist will head to Baja California’s Sea of Cortez for an eight-day cruise that includes a cross-peninsula excursion
• In February 2026, experts return to the Antarctic, flying over the Drake Passage
• In May 2026, a team member will gather with hoteliers and operators in Latin America at an industry trade show in Panama, and
• In June 2026, a specialist will head to the Galapagos Islands aboard a newer yacht.