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Cruise Itinerary

Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
2 Dec 2026	Queenstown, New Zealand
3 Dec 2026	Bluff, New Zealand
4 Dec 2026	Snares Island, New Zealand
5 Dec 2026	Enderby Island
6 Dec 2026	At Sea
7 Dec 2026	Macquarie Island, Sub Antarctic Island
8 Dec 2026	Macquarie Island, Sub Antarctic Island
9 Dec 2026	At Sea
10 Dec 2026	Campbell Island, New Zealand
11 Dec 2026	At Sea
12 Dec 2026	Antipodes Island, New Zealand
13 Dec 2026	Bounty Islands
14 Dec 2026	The Pyramid, New Zealand
15 Dec 2026	Chatham Islands
16 Dec 2026	At Sea
17 Dec 2026	At Sea
18 Dec 2026	Invercargill, New Zealand
18 Dec 2026	Queenstown, New Zealand

This departure is from Queenstown to Queenstown.

Listen to the names: Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie and Chatham Islands. They are music to the ears of ‘Birders'. Apart from the Chathams, these islands are probably more isolated now than they were when they were discovered in the late 1700s and early 1800s and were regularly visited by sealers, whalers and government steamers searching for castaway sailors. It is relatively simple to get to the Chatham Islands, but opportunities to visit the others are rare. This expedition, as featured in Conde Nast Traveler's influential 'The 25 Best Places to Go in 2025' list, and one of a number operated each year by Heritage Expeditions, is the only one to include all of these islands.
The islands occupy the tempestuous latitudes of the Roaring Forties and the Furious Fifties, but they are also known as the Albatross Latitudes and with good reason. Ten of the world's albatross species breed in the region; five of them nowhere else but here! In fact, this zone where the air is never still hosts the most diverse collection of seabirds in the world. More than 40 species breed here - that is at least 11 per cent of the entire world's seabird population.
With the exception of the Chathams, the islands are all designated UNESCO World Heritage sites and are afforded the highest conservation status and protection by the Australian and New Zealand governments, so passage to their shores is not granted lightly. There are also islands that we visit within the Chatham Islands' Archipelago with similar status and protection.
This expedition has huge appeal to pelagic enthusiasts, penguin fanatics and those interested in island endemics. Though you don't have to be a keen birder to enjoy this voyage. People interested in islands and island ecology, botany, geology and an increasing number of photographers have enjoyed this trip immensely, as have those interested in the history of southern ocean discovery and exploration.
Heritage Expeditions is the most experienced Southern Ocean operator and the only Australasian family-owned and operated cruise company and have been exploring the Subantarctic Islands for more than 35 years. This is one of our ‘signature expeditions' ensuring you will benefit from our unrivalled knowledge and expertise of the region. Our 2025 voyage offers guests the opportunity to join Nikon Ambassador and multi-award-winning seabird photographer, Rachel Bigsby, on an exclusive wildlife photography workshop. With accolades including Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Bird Photographer of the Year, Rachel’s hands-on approach and specialisation in seabirds offer the perfect blend of creativity, technical skill and adventure whether you’re a seasoned photographer or beginner. Join interactive sessions on board as well as guided excursions and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to capture rare wildlife and stunning landscapes in some of the world’s most remote locations.

***Note: Some voyages will operate the itinerary in reverse.***

Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Often referred to as the 'Grande Dame of Polar Exploration' due to her celebrated history and refined design, she was purposebuilt for adventure in 1991 at Finland's Rauma shipyard and specifically designed for Polar exploration.

Setting a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, Heritage Adventurer (formerly known as MS Hanseatic) combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating (1A Super) with an impressive history of Polar exploration. Having held records for the most northern and southern Arctic and Antarctic navigations, and for traversing both the Northwest and Northeast Passages, makes Heritage Adventurer perfect for pioneering New Zealand-based Heritage Expeditions signature experiential expedition travel.

Originally designed to accommodate 184 guests, Heritage Adventurer now welcomes just 140 expeditioners ensuring spacious, stylish and comfortable voyages, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures all guests are able to maximise their expedition adventure. Heritage Adventurer proudly continues our traditions of exceptional, personalised expedition experiences as Heritage Expeditions flagship.

Every year Heritage Expeditions voyages with small groups of between 18 and 140 intrepid travellers to some of the most unique and remote islands, coasts and shorelines on earth aboard their expedition ships Heritage Adventurer and Heritage Explorer on voyages ranging from 5 – 28 days.

Founded in 1985 by the Russ family in Christchurch, New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions is still proudly family-owned and operated. Contributing to conservation through experiential learning and providing funds for research and management, they are pioneers in environmentally-responsible expedition travel offering intimate group excursions to Antarctica and the Subantarctic Islands, through the Pacific, and around New Zealand on their purpose built expedition ships.

Each expedition is meticulously planned and led by a team of botanists, ornithologists, naturalists and experts in their field, ensuring guests maximise every opportunity to learn, discover and experience as much as possible, while minimising the impact of their visit and returning as ambassadors for these very special places.