New Zealand-built expedition - Heritage Explorer

Max Passengers: 18
Ship Type: Expedition Cruise Ship
Operated by: Heritage Expeditions

Heritage Explorer, a New Zealand-built expedition yacht, joins Heritage Expeditions' small ship fleet, bringing new exploration opportunities throughout New Zealand's coasts. Traveling in New Zealand has never been more luxurious or personalized than aboard the Heritage Explorer, which has a maximum capacity of just 18 passengers.

The Carey's Boatyard in Picton produced the 30-meter, four-deck New Zealand flagged Heritage Explorer in 2004. A well-considered design that is both forward-thinking and demonstrates an intelligent combination of privacy, comfort, spaciousness, and agility. It was renovated in Cairns in late 2007 for Sir Peter Barter's Melanesian Tourist Services in Papua New Guinea.

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Departures

Available Itineraries

Cabins

Deckplan

Heritage Explorer Cabins, Staterooms & Decks

New Zealand is regarded as the world's albatross capital. The master suite and cabins of the legacy explorer are named after albatross species that are endemic to New Zealand. Tastefully created, Heritage Explorer's modern wood interior has ten luxurious cabins across three decks.

With a private en suite, queen-sized bed, abundant closet and drawer space, mirror and washbasin, and access to the covered Bridge Deck via the Royal Master Suite on the Bridge Deck, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

A double bed or two lower sleepers are available in Salvin's cabins, located on the ship's lowest deck. In both, you'll find a spacious wardrobe and drawers, as well as a TV and a PABX satellite phone.

There is one lower single berth, extensive storage with wardrobe and drawers, TV and PABX satellite phone in the Wandering cabins, a private en suite, and a porthole on the lower deck cabins.

The Buller's cabin is located on the lower deck and contains a bunk (one upper and one lower sleeper), plenty of storage with a closet and drawers and TV, PABX satellite phone, private en suite, and porthole.

Food & Dining

Heritage Explorer offers a dining room with 180-degree views and theater capabilities and lounge and bar areas loaded with regional New Zealand wines, beers, and spirits. Featuring an open bridge policy and a full commercial kitchen, a professional chef is in charge of showcasing local produce and any guest catches of the day.

Amenities Onboard

The Bridge Deck offers plenty of shaded space for expeditioners, while the Sun Deck is a great place to take in the scenery, whether it's wildlife sightings, sunrises, sunsets, or just watching the action as it unfolds. When the ship is at sea, passengers can use kayaks, fishing gear, and excursion tenders, a hallmark of all Heritage Expeditions excursions.

New Zealand Itineraries

Many places to visit in New Zealand are ideal for expedition cruising, sailing, and private yacht charters. Dolphin and whale watching, as well as outstanding birding and birdwatching, are all available to anyone in search of an exhilarating trip and close encounters with nature in New Zealand.

Itineraries include Fiordland, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Dusky Sound, with its sunken valleys and towering mountains; the Bay of Islands, with its crystal-clear waters and golden beaches and coves; the Hauraki Gulf, with its rich marine life; and the Marlborough Sounds, with Queen Charlotte Sound, Kenepuru Sound, and Pelorus Sound, with its scenic playground.

About Heritage Expeditions

Heritage Expeditions is a Russ family-run expedition cruise company that has been in business since 1985. Operating from its purpose-built offices in Christchurch, New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions has a well-deserved reputation for delivering premium expedition cruises to Antarctica, the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand, and Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu with a unique collection of vessels.

Its other small ships are 140-guest expedition ship Heritage Adventurer, 18-guest expedition yacht Heritage Explorer, and 50-guest Polar Research vessel Spirit of Enderby (Professor Khromov)

Heritage Expeditions maintains the highest standards of the environment under the guidance of strict environmental policies and procedures. The company supports many conservation organizations, including Greenpeace and WWF.

Heritage Explorer Reviews

Guests are pleased with Heritage Explorer's truly remarkable and well-organized expedition. A travel company that makes expedition cruising available to remote places lets them experience the incredible wildlife and friendly indigenous people.

It's not too early to reserve your spot on this magnificent ship. Call Adventure Life New Zealand experts today!

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.

Gale Cantor

TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews

TrustScore 4.8 of 5

Based on 175 reviews on

7 hours ago

The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!

Susan Campo

2 days ago

The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent. Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio. In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day. Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took. Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.

Kenneth Dropek

3 days ago

Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.

Tina

4 days ago

Rapid response.

kym

4 days ago

Jess and her non pushy salesmanship!!!!!

Cristen Crawford

Heritage Explorer

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Departures

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Available Itineraries

Unseen Queen Charlotte Sound

Undiscovered Dusky Sound: Cruising Remote Fiordland

Unseen Stewart Island: Pristine Wilderness and Wildlife Adventure

The Top of the South: Explorations Beyond Marlborough Sounds

Discover Marlborough Sounds: An In-Depth Exploration of the Marlborough Sounds

Southern Fiords Discovery: A Deep Exploration of Fiordland's Southern Fiords

Northern Fiords Explorer: Expedition Cruising Fiordland's Northern Fiords

Doubtful and Dusky Sounds: Exploring Fiordland's Finest

All of the Fiords: The Ultimate Fiordland Experience