Heritage Adventurer

The 1991-built MS Heritage Adventurer cruise ship (formerly “RCGS Resolute” and “MS Hanseatic”) is a premium polar expedition vessel that was chartered by the now-defunct Canadian cruise company One Ocean Expeditions (OOE). The boat has a maximum passenger capacity of 146 (plus 11 crew) and offers comfort, luxury amenities, a unique small-ship travel style, expansive educational programming, and numerous onboard and ashore activities tailored to guests’ individual interests.

The vessel (IMO number 9000168) is currently Portugal-flagged (MMSI 255806208) and registered in Funchal, Madeira.

In mid-May 2021, the shipowner announced that starting in 2022, the vessel would be chartered to Heritage Expeditions (a New Zealand-based expedition travel company) and operated under the new name “Heritage Adventurer.” Originally designed for a maximum of 184 passengers, Heritage Adventurer’s capacity was reduced to 140 to enhance comfort and allow more personalized service.

When chartered by One Ocean Expeditions, Resolute joined OOE fleetmates Akademik Ioffe (One Ocean Navigator) and Akademik Sergey Vavilov (One Ocean Voyager). Both are Russian icebreakers with passenger capacities under 100. Compared to the icebreakers, RCGS Resolute carries 50% more passengers and can support several itinerary programs simultaneously, while still maintaining OOE’s hallmark small-group comfort and intimacy.

After ending the charter with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, RCGS Resolute was offered for sale. In June 2020, the 29-year-old vessel was sold for USD 0.6 million (~EUR 0.5 million) to an undisclosed buyer. The ship remained anchored near Ampelakia (Larissa, Greece). On October 16, the ship arrived in Malta and anchored off Valletta. Later, the vessel repositioned to Greece and remained docked in Port Ampelakia (Salamis Island).

History - construction and ownership

MS Hanseatic remained in Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet for 25 years (March 1993 through September 2018). Her former fleetmate MS Bremen (now Seaventure) served as the transition ship to the company’s new polar cruise liners (Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Inspiration), launched in 2019 (April and October). Both newbuilds have the highest ice class for passenger ships (Polar Class 6 / PC6, Lloyd’s 1A Super) and accommodate up to 230 passengers each (up to 199 on Antarctic cruises).

The vessel’s shipbuilding order (“Society Adventurer”) was placed by Society Expeditions in 1989, with delivery scheduled for June 1991. Society’s fleet included World Discoverer (1975-2000) and Society Explorer (1969-2007). One week before Society Adventurer’s delivery, due to shipyard issues, the shipowner Society Expeditions (Seattle-based cruise line, 1976-1992, subsidiary of Discover Reederei) canceled the vessel, and Rauma Yards put her up for sale.

In 1992, Society Expeditions filed for bankruptcy, and in September “Hanseatic Tours” (now Hapag-Lloyd Cruises) signed a 2-year charter agreement (March 1993-1995). MS Hanseatic entered service for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on March 23, 1993, and was sold to Hapag-Lloyd AG in 1997. Over 25 years of service (1993-2018), she sailed 1.932,341 million miles (3.11 million km) and visited 148 countries on 677 itineraries (including 128 Antarctica and 23 Panama Canal transits).

RCGS Resolute began operations for OOE–One Ocean Expeditions on November 16, 2018 (inaugural cruise), deployed on Antarctica itineraries. Passenger capacity was reduced from 175 to 146. The new name honored the company’s Canadian heritage. RCGS Resolute was named after the Inuit town Resolute (on Cornwallis Island, Nunavut, Canada), which in turn was named after “HMS Resolute” — a merchant vessel run by Canadian settlers in the region.

The cruise ship has modern stabilizers and propulsion providing excellent maneuverability, stability, and safety. Her highest ice classification makes her fully compliant with IMO’s Polar Code requirements. The ship has an endurance of two months (without refueling and reprovisioning) and an operating range of 8,500 nautical miles (15,740 km / 9,780 mi).

She also features large indoor and outdoor 360-degree viewing platforms (ideal for wildlife viewing and nature photography), 14 Zodiacs (large-capacity boats used for passenger tendering and landings), and 4 fully enclosed lifeboats. Shipboard facilities include three bar lounges, a fitness center (gym), sauna, swimming pool, whirlpool, library, and boutique shop.

On each voyage, One Ocean Expeditions provided professional services by guest tour guides for the specific region (ports and destinations).

Decks and Cabins

Heritage Adventurer has a total of 74 staterooms (in 6 grades), all outside, including 12 Suites (located forward and midship on Deck 6).

The boat has 8 decks, of which 7 are passenger-accessible and 4 have cabins.

All Ocean Suites feature a Queen-size bed with upgraded linens and pillows, a comfortable sectional lounge with club chairs, a large desk, expansive floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and spacious washroom facilities with both a shower and bathtub. The Shackleton Suites include a sectional lounge, writing desk, washroom with shower, and sleeping quarters (choice of double bed or two single beds) with premium linens and pillows. These Suites provide easy access to the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse, the Bistro, and outdoor observation spaces. The forward panoramic observation lounge and recreation facilities are also nearby on Deck 7.

Superior cabins (forward on Deck 5) and Superior Plus cabins (midship on Deck 5) offer either a double or two single beds and feature a large picture window, writing desk with chair, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and an ensuite washroom with shower. They provide easy access to Deck 5’s aft bar lounge. Forward stairs lead to the Navigation Bridge and Deck 7’s forward observation lounge.

Twin Private Cabins (Deck 4) offer either a double or two single beds. Features include a comfortable lounge adjacent to the large picture window, a writing desk and chair, ample storage, and a private washroom with shower. These cabins offer convenient access to the main restaurant and the gift shop.

Triple Occupancy Cabins (Deck 3) feature three twin beds—two lower and one upper berth—with ample storage and a private washroom. They provide easy access to the ship’s gangway and expedition room.

All staterooms are spacious (22 m² / 235 ft²; One Ocean Suites are 44 m² / 475 ft²) and feature new carpets, high-quality cabinetry (soft-closing drawers), spacious ensuite bathrooms (soft lighting), sectional lounge areas, a writing desk with smart TV (infotainment system), and a mini-bar fridge with glassware.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Meals are offered with open seating during the day, while dinner is served in the main dining room (Deck 4). Dining options include the Dining Room (Main Restaurant, named “Marco Polo” on MS Hanseatic) and the Bistro Restaurant (Deck 6, named “Lemaire” on Hanseatic). The Bistro offers themed dinners featuring itinerary-based regional specialties.

The Bistro dining room (and lounge) provides early breakfast with light snacks. Full-meal options include buffet breakfast and lunch (international flair). Special dietary requirements are catered for.

Dinner is served with a 5-course à la carte menu and open seating in the casual dining room. Dinner includes a fine wine list featuring international wines and other alcoholic beverages.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The ship offers a sophisticated atmosphere and the chance to visit exotic destination ports. Each voyage is accompanied by guest lecturers. The liner features two dining venues (main and bistro-lounge), a Finnish sauna, steam room, well-equipped gym, spa (massage therapy), heated seawater swimming pool, freshwater hot tub (jacuzzi), Presentation Theatre (multimedia/expedition room), aft- and fore-located bar lounges, and a mobile laboratory.

The company’s open-bridge policy allows passengers to visit the Navigation Bridge and meet the ship’s officers and crew at most times. The Bridge is closed during pilotage (in ports) and during challenging navigation or bad weather.

On Deck 2 there is a private multimedia room (Presentation Theatre) accessible via both stairs and elevator. The theater has 80 seats with tiered seating and is equipped with a large digital screen and stereo surround system. It hosts small-group presentations as well as expedition briefings.

The vessel is well equipped for expedition cruising. All guests enjoy customized experiences through a wide range of price-inclusive onboard activities and an extensive list of in-cabin amenities. One Ocean Expeditions’ hallmark “Adventure Concierge” service was available to guests in all cabin categories. All travelers also received an in-room service menu and a complimentary in-cabin minibar.

One Ocean Expeditions was the only cruise company providing a complete expedition gear package for complimentary use during the voyage. The package included a weatherproof jacket and pants, rubber boots, Nordic trekking poles, a waterproof dry bag, and binoculars.

Itineraries

Heritage Adventurer’s maiden voyage departed from Benoa (Bali, Indonesia) on October 11, 2022. The 15-day roundtrip itinerary visited destinations in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, including Raja Ampat, Komodo NP, and Liki Island. The inaugural season also included scheduled visits to the South Pacific Islands, New Zealand, New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands, and—via the Ross Sea—the Antarctic Peninsula.

MS Hanseatic’s itinerary program focused on South America (Amazon River and Antarctica) and Europe (the British Isles, Iceland and Greenland, Canary Islands), with Transatlantic repositioning crossings.

RCGS Resolute’s itinerary program offered voyages in South America (Chilean Fjords), the European and Canadian Arctic (Nunavut/Northwest Territories), and Antarctica during winter–early spring. Warm-water destinations were operated in summer–early fall, including Central America, the Caribbean, and Europe (UK, Faroe Islands, Iceland).

• In late June 2019, One Ocean Expeditions announced new itineraries and programs for RCGS Resolute’s Antarctica 2020-2021 winter season from homeport Ushuaia, Argentina. Fly-cruises from Chile ranged from “Quest for the Antarctic Circle” (direct private charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica / 2.5-hour flight) to “Ultimate Antarctica” (Weddell Sea cruising). In 2018, OOE launched private charter flights from Valparaiso–Santiago to Port Stanley (Falkland Islands / Islas Malvinas), saving cruise tourists 4.5 hours of flight and transit time.
• OOE’s 2020-2021 Antarctic program (December through February) included a 19-day itinerary to the Falklands, South Georgia Island, King George Island, the Antarctic Peninsula, and Port Stanley.

Heritage Expeditions’ initial program for Heritage Adventurer was slated to start in May 2022, with voyages in Russia’s Far East and Arctic regions (including Wrangel Island, the Siberian coast, and Chukotka). She was then to be deployed in the South Pacific, visiting ports in New Zealand and New Zealand’s Subantarctic archipelagos (Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Snares Islands, Campbell Island), as well as Macquarie Island (Tasmania) and mainland Antarctica (Ross Sea). A new 17-day itinerary (“Discover the Secrets of Melanesia”) visited Indonesia (Raja Ampat Archipelago), Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

However, the Russian Arctic program was canceled due to EU restrictions (following the Ukraine–Russia conflict). The ship underwent refurbishment (drydock in Greece and wetdock in Turkey) and was rescheduled to start operations for Heritage Expeditions in June 2022. The refit included hull cleaning and repainting (new livery with blue hull and new funnel logo), renovated teak decks, and fully refurbished interiors.

Heritage Adventurer’s 2023-2024 “Southern Ocean” program also included South Pacific island destinations, Subantarctic Islands, Antarctica, the Ross Sea, and New Zealand. New Heritage Expeditions destinations (Komodo National Park, Wakatobi National Park/Raja Ampat, and Kwatisore Bay) were included in the 17-night “Indonesian Explorer” cruise from Bali to Madang, PNG.

In addition to the 2022-2023 Subantarctic and Antarctic program, Heritage Adventurer scheduled three New Zealand itineraries:

• 11-day “New Zealand Coastal Odyssey: The Ultimate Expedition Cruise” (November 14-24, 2022) from Auckland to Queenstown; prices from US$6,875 per person (double occupancy).
• 15-day “The Best of New Zealand: An Intimate Exploration Cruise” (March 6-20, 2023) from Queenstown to Auckland; prices from US$9,475 per person (double occupancy).
• 8-day “Unseen Fiordland, Stewart Island and The Snares” (February 28–March 7, 2023) roundtrip from Queenstown; prices from US$6,250 per person (double occupancy).

Heritage Expeditions’ Heritage Adventurer 2023 schedule featured the introductory “South Pacific Sojourn” voyage (departure November 7) with prices from US$4,895 per person. The 10-day itinerary visited Port Vila (Efate Island, Vanuatu), Lifou Island (New Caledonia), Norfolk Island (Australia), and the Bay of Islands (New Zealand).