Pioneering New Zealand-based expedition cruise line Heritage Expeditions released its 2023-2024 Southern Ocean Season adding unique destinations to its iconic cruises.
According to Commercial Director & Expedition Leader Aaron Russ, the 2023-2204 season continued Heritage Expeditions' tradition of "exceptional, personalised adventures sharing unforgettable, intimate explorations of some of the world’s best kept secrets, cultural encounters and wilderness and wildlife hotspots.”
The new Southern Ocean Season of Heritage Expeditions sees the company exploring the islands of the South Pacific, down to the remote Subantarctic Islands, returning to Antarctica, the Ross Sea, and the islands of New Zealand onboard their flagship, MS Heritage Adventurer (fka "RCGS Resolute" and "MS Hanseatic").
The new destinations include Komodo National Park, the land of the Komodo Dragon, as well as Jacques Cousteau’s ‘underwater nirvana’ Wakatobi National Park joining the paradise of Raja Ampat and whale sharks of Kwatisore Bay on a 17-night Indonesian Explorer cruise sailing from Bali to Madang PNG.
Heritage Expeditions 2023-2024 Southern Ocean Season is already on sale.
MS Heritage Adventurer cruise ship (RCGS Resolute fka "MS Hanseatic") is a premium polar expedition vessel that used to be chartered by the now-defunct Canadian cruise company "One Ocean Expeditions" (OOE). The boat has a max passenger capacity of 146 (plus 11 crew) and offers comfort, luxury amenities, a unique "small ship travel" vacation style, expansive educational programming, and numerous onboard and ashore activities tailored to guests’ individual interests.
In mid-May 2021, the shipowner announced that starting in 2022, the vessel will be chartered to Heritage Expeditions and operated under the new name "Heritage Adventurer". Originally designed with max capacity of 184 passengers, Heritage Adventurer's capacity was reduced to 140 in order to create a comfortable experience and allow more personalized service.