Luxury Expedition Ship

Heritage Adventurer

Heritage Adventurer, Expedition Ship
Heritage Adventurer, Expedition Ship
Heritage Adventurer, Expedition Ship
Heritage Adventurer, Expedition Ship

Highlights

  • Expert-Led Expeditions: The Heritage Adventurer boasts a team of seasoned naturalists, historians, and guides, offering enriching lectures and insightful excursions that deepen your understanding of the unique destinations visited.
  • Eco-Friendly Design: This expedition ship features advanced technology to minimise environmental impact, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable and responsible travel practices.
  • Luxury Accommodation: Enjoy spacious, stylish suites and cabins equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and luxurious experience throughout your voyage.
  • Exceptional Dining: Delight in gourmet cuisine prepared by skilled chefs, with an emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Multiple dining options cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.
  • Small Group Travel: With a maximum of around 140 passengers, broken down into groups of 8-10 for most landings, the Heritage Adventurer offers an intimate and personalised experience, fostering deeper connections with fellow travellers and the natural surroundings.
  • Cutting-Edge Exploration Tools: The ship is equipped with 14 zodiacs ensuring every guest can join every excursion. On South Pacfic expeditions there are also kayaks, and other tools (including paddle-boards & snorkelling equipment), enabling guests to explore remote regions up close, including pristine beaches, hidden coves, and wildlife habitats.
  • Unique Itineraries: Embark on voyages to some of the world’s most remote and untouched destinations, such as the Subantarctic Islands, and the South Pacific, offering unparalleled access to these remarkable regions.
  • Onboard Amenities: The Heritage Adventurer features a range of facilities, including a library, lounge, bar, gym, spa, sauna, steam room, hot tub and outdoor pool ensuring guests can relax and enjoy their time at sea in comfort and style.
  • Citizen Science: Travel with research scientists and take part in collecting valuable data from these remote corners of the globe.
Heritage Adventurer, Expedition Ship

Features

  • Constructed: 1991, refurbished in 2003, 2009, and 2022
  • Capacity: max 140 guests (originally designed for 184 meaning there is more than enough space for those onboard)
  • Guides: Expedition team of specialist and local guides from historians to geologists and from ornithologists to glaciologists each handpicked to match their expertise to the destination
  • Crew: 50
  • Speed: 12.5 knots
  • Ice class: 1A
  • Size: Length: 124m; Breadth: 18m
  • Restaurants: Main dining room, bistro, and bar
  • Leisure: Library, lecture theatre, gym, sauna, heated outdoor pool, hot tub, observation lounge, kayaks, snorkelling equipment
  • Stabilisers: Equipped with state-of-the-art stabilising system, including advanced gyroscopic technology and active fin stabilisers for smooth sailing even in rough seas.
  • Cabins: 70 cabins with portholes or windows, private bathrooms with showers, climate control, in-room entertainment, configurable with twin or double beds, some with balconies and suites with living areas.

Country Highlights

Antarctica

Scott's Hut, Ross Island, Antarctica

January + February

Sailing from New Zealand, the Heritage Adventurer is one of a very few number of ships with a permit to visit Scott’s Hut. It was from here that he set off on the fateful mission to reach the South Pole and stands frozen in time as if the men left only hours before you got there. This is an astounding 28-day expedition undertaken by very few people with incredible wildlife and scenery to take in as well as the history.

New Zealand

New Zealand Fjordlands, Heritage Adventurer

February

Start this Kiwi epic in Queenstown, journeying through the majestic Fiordland, then explore the wildlife of Stewart Island. Discover the rich heritage of Dunedin and the French charm of Akaroa. Experience Wellington’s vibrant culture and Nelson’s culinary delights. Cruise the scenic Marlborough Sounds, visit Napier’s Art Deco wonders, and marvel at Rotorua’s geothermal activity before concluding in Auckland. This annual expedition offers diverse landscapes, historical sites, and wildlife encounters, creating an unforgettable New Zealand odyssey seeing it in a way that few others experience.

Japan

Japan with Heritage Adventurer

March to May

Explore Japan’s diverse landscapes and rich culture through expertly guided cruises. Sail to discover a blend of ancient traditions and modern marvels, from vibrant cities to serene temples. Highlights include exploring Tokyo, visiting the castles of Matsue and Hagi, and experiencing the natural beauty of Rebun and Rishiri Islands. With expeditions from 11 to 16 days long each journey offers daily landings and immersive excursions that showcase Japan’s cultural treasures, wildlife, and scenic beauty, providing an in-depth and enriching adventure.

This is an incredible way to see so much of Japan that others don’t reach and can be easily extended with extra days in Tokyo, Kyoto or anywhere else.

Taiwan + The Philippines + Indonesia

Philippines with Heritage Adventurer

June

Experience the ultimate Asian Island Odyssey aboard the Heritage Adventurer. This 19-day tropical cruise from Taipei to Darwin explores the remote islands of the Philippines and Indonesia. Discover Taiwan’s Yehliu Geopark and Taroko National Park, then sail to the Philippines’ rarely-visited Calayan Island and Bucas Grande Island’s Blue Lagoon. Explore Indonesia’s Kei Kecil Island and swim with whale sharks. This expedition offers unique experiences, as the Heritage Adventurer is the only ship visiting some of these communities, providing unparalleled wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and pristine reef snorkelling.

The Kimberley, Australia

Exploring the Kimberley's on the Heritage Adventurer

August

Best explored by expedition vessel, a Kimberley cruise aboard the luxurious Heritage Adventurer allows you to intimately explore and immerse yourself in this rugged wilderness, where you’ll feel dwarfed by nature on an unfathomable scale.

Led by a team of onboard experts and local guides, this 11-day authentic expedition cruise along the Kimberley coast carefully showcases the region’s finest. Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art, marvel at natural wonders like Horizontal Falls and King George Falls, delve into World War II history at Vansittart Bay, and explore early explorer history at Colonial Bay, the Lacepede and Bigge Islands, and more.

The South Pacific

Frigate Island, Heritage Adventurer

March, October + September

The South Pacific is a jewel in the crown of the Heritage Adventurer’s journeys, exploring the cultural richness of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Discover Indonesia’s hidden gems, including Raja Ampat and Komodo National Park. For bird enthusiasts, experience sightings of rare pelagic seabirds. With daily snorkelling, swimming, and village visits, these expeditions truly immerse you in diverse cultures and stunning landscapes. Expeditions range from 11 to 29 days in length, each offering unparalleled wildlife encounters and a truly unique experience, as this is the only ship to visit some communities that otherwise have little to no contact with the outside world.

Sub-Antarctic Islands

November + December

Explore the Subantarctic Islands on expeditions featuring remote island groups such as the Antipodes, Bounty, Snares, Auckland, Campbell, and Macquarie Islands. Highlights include the 18-day “Birding Down Under” for bird enthusiasts, the “Galápagos of the Southern Ocean” covering New Zealand and Australia’s Subantarctic Islands, the eight-day “Forgotten Islands of the South Pacific,” and “Beyond Fiordland,” exploring Fiordland, Stewart, Ulva, and the Subantarctic Islands. Each expedition offers quality time ashore with experienced guides, ensuring a memorable wilderness and wildlife experience.

Country Highlights

Our tailor-made journeys include

  • A dedicated Destination Expert who will curate your itinerary from scratch, tailoring it to your preferences + interests
  • Private + extraordinary under-the-radar experiences
  • Access to the very best guides + experts to bring the destination to life
  • Private international airport transfers in destination
  • The MyCazLoyd app to view your itinerary offline anywhere, anytime
  • 24/7 support whilst travelling
  • ATOL protection to give you total peace of mind

Good to know

What are the cabin options on the Heritage Adventurer?

The Heritage Adventurer offers several cabin options:

  1. Heritage Suite: 44m²
  2. Worsley Suite: 22m²
  3. Superior Cabin: 22m²
  4. Main Deck Cabin: 21m²
  5. Single Cabins: 22m²

Each cabin is designed for comfort, featuring king or twin beds, private en-suites, and large windows or balconies for stunning views. These options ensure a luxurious and spacious experience for all guests aboard​

Are children welcome?

Children are welcome on board the Heritage Adventurer, but there are certain age restrictions and policies in place. Typically, children must be at least 8 years old to join the expeditions. This ensures the safety and enjoyment of all passengers, given the adventurous nature of the trips and the environments visited.

Sustainable travel

Heritage Expeditions is dedicated to responsible travel and sustainability aboard the Heritage Adventurer. Their sustainability program focuses on minimising environmental impact and promoting conservation. Key initiatives include:

  1. Reduced Guest Capacity: The ship was redesigned to accommodate 140 guests instead of the original 184, ensuring more space and reduced environmental footprint.
  2. Education and Awareness: They offer lectures and briefings from naturalists, historians, biologists, and ornithologists to educate passengers about the regions visited and the importance of conservation.
  3. Wildlife Protection: The voyages are planned to avoid disrupting wildlife and their habitats. This includes adhering to strict guidelines during landings and wildlife viewing.
  4. Waste Management: Comprehensive waste management practices are in place to ensure minimal environmental impact.
  5. Fuel Efficiency: The ship’s design and operations aim to maximise fuel efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  6. Citizen Science: Guests have the opportunity to take part in authentic citizen science initiatives including collecting air flask samples for GNS Science and penguin bones and shells at the world’s largest and oldest Adelie penguin colony alongside leading penguin scientist Professor Steve Emslie from the University of North Carolina, assisting Professor Tim Flannery in the discovery of new mammal species and more.

Giving back

Heritage Expeditions actively supports the communities they visit through various initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development and preserving local cultures. These efforts include:

  1. Economic Support: By engaging local guides, purchasing local products, and utilising local services, Heritage Expeditions directly contributes to the local economies of the remote communities they visit.
  2. Cultural Exchange: The company organises cultural exchanges where guests can learn about and participate in local traditions, thus fostering mutual respect and understanding between visitors and host communities.
  3. Educational Contributions: Heritage Expeditions supports local schools and educational programs, often donating supplies and funding to improve educational facilities and opportunities for children in these communities.
  4. Conservation Projects: The company collaborates with local organisations on conservation projects, helping to protect and preserve the natural environments and wildlife that are integral to these communities’ ways of life.
  5. Sustainable Tourism Practices: By promoting and practising sustainable tourism, Heritage Expeditions helps to ensure that the benefits of tourism are long-lasting and that the negative impacts on local communities and environments are minimised.

Why we love Heritage Adventure

While there might be more luxurious ships out there, few can match Heritage Adventurer’s purpose-built pedigree and expedition credentials. Widely known as the ‘Grande Dame of Expedition Cruising’, you’ll experience one-of-a-kind authentic expedition itineraries while exploring the remotest corners of the planet in refined style and comfort.

Caroline 130
Caroline Maber

Head of Department

Latin America, The Caribbean and Polar Regions
South Pacific Islands, Heritage Adventurer

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