The small-ship cruise company Heritage Expeditions introduced 2 new summer expedition cruises targeting "adventurous Kiwis."
The Christchurch-based company announced two new itineraries scheduled to explore NZ's rarely visited parts - "Unseen Fiordland, Stewart Island and The Snares" and "Auckland Islands and The Snares - Subantarctic Wonderland" (also visiting Enderby Island).
The new voyages replace the "January Ross Sea" itinerary which was cancelled after NZ's Ministry of Health denied permission for Spirit of Enderby (Professor Khromov ship) to sail back to New Zealand from Antarctica at the completion of the voyage.
According to Heritage Expeditions Commercial Director and Expedition Leader, the new sailings were "the perfect opportunity for adventurous Kiwis to explore some of NZ’s lesser-known and more difficult to reach destinations."
The 8-day Fiordland-Stewart Island-The Snares itinerary (Queenstown to Invercargill) departed January 30, 2021. Prices ranged from NZD 4000 per person (Main Deck Triple Cabin) to NZD 8450 pp (Heritage Suite). The ship's daily schedule included Queenstown (day 1), Milford Sound (day 2), Fiordland NP (days 3-5), The Snares/North East Island (day 6), Stewart Island/Ulva Island (day 7) and Invercargill (day 8).
The 7-day Auckland Islands-The Snares itinerary (roundtrip from Invercargill) departed on February 6, 2021. Prices ranged between NZD 4500 pp (Main Deck Triple Cabin) to NZD 7550 (Heritage Suite). The voyage featured a full day on Enderby Island. The ship's daily schedule included Invercargill (day 1), The Snares/North East Island (day 2), Auckland Islands (days 3-5), at sea (day 6) and Invercargill (day 7).