Cruising by small ship is an attractive option for travellers looking to shy away from mega ships.

AdventureSmith Explorations,which has small expedition cruise ships (41 to 200 guests) and adventure yachts (8 to 40), is offering a range of new cruises in 2019.

Across the Bering Sea

The 102-guest National Geographic Orion makes its maiden voyage on the Bering Sea in June 2019.

Three voyages connect the Russian Arctic and Alaska by way of the Bering Sea, with visits to the Aleutian Islands, the remote Siberian coastline, Kamchatka Peninsula, Commander Islands and Bering Strait.

Passing the Arctic Circle enroute to Wrangel Island guests will be on the lookout for polar bear and walrus.

They will also meet indigenous artists known for walrus ivory carvings.Frontier Lands of New Guinea

This series of departures aboard the new, 120-guest Coral Adventurer travels between Cairns and Darwin, Australia, starting in May 2019.

Travellers can opt for a departure of 11 days or select the most comprehensive 26-day route, which cruises along the northeast coast of Papua New Guinea and through the Indonesian islands of Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands.

Guests visit small villages with intact cultural traditions and unique natural wonders such as a diversity of corals, and they enjoy complimentary snorkeling, kayaking and exploring via glass-bottom boat.

Indonesia and the Spice Islands & Raja Ampat

The Coral Adventurer also sets sail on two new Indonesia-focused itineraries for 2019: the 15-day Islands of Indonesia and the 13-day Spice Islands & Raja Ampat.

New Zealand by Sea

East Coast Expedition is an 11 or 13-day voyage aboard the 72-guest Coral Discoverer exploring New Zealand's eastern coastline and visitingremote sounds, volcanic islands and marine reserves, including Stewart and White Islands.

The longer itinerary out of Auckland offers a trip to both the North and South islands, while the shorter departing Milford Sound focuses on the South Island.

Guests will encounter the Maori culture and learn about New Zealand's history and landscape.

They will also be positioned to see rare and unique wildlife, including giant sperm whales in Kaikoura, the Hector's Dolphin (smallest and rarest in the world) in Akaroa and the yellow-eyed penguin (world's rarest penguin) in Dunedin.

Theory Galapagos Cruises

The 20-guest Theory yacht launches in March, joining sister ship, Origin, which first set sail in 2016 and has joined Relais & Châteaux.

Theory will sail two distinct itineraries for travellers seeking a comprehensive Galapagos itinerary.

Ancient Isles: England, Ireland & Scotland

National Geographic Explorer's exploration of England, Ireland and Scotland begins in May2019, and continues into 2020.

From London and on to the Irish Sea, guests visit islands enroute to Bergen, Norway.

Scotland's Highlands & Islands

This cruise is on the 48-guest Lord of the Glens, the only vessel that can navigate the locks of the central Caledonia Canal (connecting the North Sea to the Atlantic through the Scottish highlands) and the islands of the Inner Hebrides.

Useful links

​ www.adventuresmithexplorations.com