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From those small beginnings Heritage Expeditions, which is still family-owned and run, now by Rodney and Shirley's sons Aaron and Nathan Russ, operates its own ships – 140-guest expedition ship Heritage Adventurer and18-guest expedition yacht Heritage Explorer on expedition cruises into the 'heart of Antarctica' the Ross Sea, the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia, around the islands of Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Philippines, Australia's iconic Kimberley Coast and coastal New Zealand and Fiordland, Stewart Island and Marlborough Sounds. Each authentic, small-ship expedition cruise is meticulously planned and led ensuring expeditioners maximise every opportunity they have to learn and experience as much as possible about the region, while at the same time minimising the impact of their visit.
Pioneering small ship expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions have been sharing some of the world’s best kept secrets with intrepid guests since 1984 and are internationally-recognised leaders in expedition cruising and responsible travel.
Founded by New Zealand’s Russ family, a family of botanists, biologists and adventurers, they proudly remain Australasia's only family-owned and operated authentic small ship expedition cruise company.
Every year Heritage Expeditions all-inclusive voyages sail small groups of intrepid travellers to some of the most unique and remote islands, coasts and shorelines on Earth aboard their purpose-built expedition ships 140-guest flagship Heritage Adventurer and 18-guest expedition yacht Heritage Explorer on voyages ranging from 5 – 28 days.
All on board meals are included with complimentary house beer, wine and soft drinks included with lunch and evening meal service. All excursions and landings are also included in (excluding optional excursions like helicopter flights in Fiordland and Kimberley).
All voyages contribute to conservation through experiential learning, citizen science and providing funds for research and management, Heritage Expeditions are pioneers in environmentally-responsible expedition travel and are the world’s most experienced operators in New Zealand and the Southern Ocean including New Zealand and Australia’s Subantarctic Islands and into the heart of Antarctica the Ross Sea on their ultimate bucket list voyage In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton.
Heritage Expeditions also explores the remote shores, islands and wilderness of Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Australia’s iconic Kimberley coast.
Their unique itineraries are honed by more than 40 years of unparalleled experience allow Heritage Expeditions to offer one-of-a-kind authentic expedition cruise opportunities. Key to creating these experiences is their valued and longstanding relationships with industry leaders, conservation programmes, scientific research departments and connections with remote tribes and villages. This allows guests to enjoy unforgettable and uniquely Heritage Expeditions experiences and take part in authentic citizen science initiatives which would otherwise be off limits.
Each expeditions is meticulously planned and led by an industry-leading 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.
Heritage Expeditions guests make meaningful contributions to science and conservation while also supporting the remote destinations, wildernesses, wildlife, villages and cultures they experience, returning as ambassadors ensuring the ongoing protection of these special places.
Heritage Expeditions is a founding member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) and a member of AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment, as well as a Department of Conservation Approved Concessionaire and longtime supporter of Forest & Bird and other conservation initiatives.
As internationally-recognised leaders in responsible travel, travelling with Heritage Expeditions is to travel responsibly. Heritage Expeditions was founded with the purpose of sharing the natural world, and preserving, protecting and respecting the environment is at the core of everything we do. As a family of biologists, botanists, ornithologists and conservationists we are intimately aware of the many issues that confront wildlife and their habitats, the world's oceans and isolated ethnic groups. We also take action: we actively contribute to the conservation of the places we visit, we 'buy local' and employ locally, educate our guests so they are respectful of local customs and traditions, and we dispose of waste responsibly.
Each expedition is led by an experienced Expedition Leader familiar with the region and our expedition teams incorporate both internationally recognised and local experts who share their knowledge, experiences and unique insights with our guests. Throughout our voyages scientific research is incorporated, both through the logistical support of research projects and as an integral part of our voyages which guests are actively encouraged to join.
Conservation
Heritage Expedition and the Russ family have long participated in world-first conservation initiatives with founder Rodney Russ part of the team which saved the Chatham Island Black Robin from extinction, rediscovered the previously thought extinct Campbell Island Teal, worked with the Kakapo and more. Heritage Expeditions supports conservation programs with funds, advocacy, logistical support and citizen science opportunities with their intrepid guests able to take part in authentic and meaningful citizen science initiatives learning firsthand from the Russ’ industry leading team of expert scientists, researchers, historians, geologists, culturalists, botanists and biologists.
We choose to travel in small groups, maintain industry leading staff to guest ratios ensuring we operate in the most environmentally responsible manner while maximising the opportunities for education and advocacy both ashore and aboard. We are proud to work alongside the government agencies to develop and deliver sustainable best practice visitation.
Heritage Expeditions’ valued and longstanding relationships with industry leaders, conservation programmes, scientific research departments and connections with remote tribes and villages further entrench their status as a responsible operator.
The Russ family directly contribute to conservation through experiential learning, funding research, and providing logistical support. They have longstanding relationships with the Department of Conservation, Tasmania Parks & Wildlife, Antarctic Heritage Trust, GNS Science and collaborate with Ngāi Tahu on the Murihiku ki te Tonga project to understand and protect the Southern Ocean.
Their True Young Explorer Scholarships allows young people the opportunity to experience the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia, and the Ross Sea.
Guests take part in authentic citizen science initiatives including collecting air flask samples for GNS Science and penguin bones and shells at the world’s largest and oldest Adelie penguin colony alongside leading penguin scientist Professor Steve Emslie from the University of North Carolina.
We deploy buoys for the Global Drifter programme, a part of the Drifting Buoy Co-operation Panel (DBCP) which is a joint body of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO).
Heritage Expeditions are longtime supporters of Drs Kath Walker and Graeme Elliott and their research on the Antipodean Albatross which has uncovered the devastating impact longline fishing has had on the female of the species. It is this research which has started the race to save this species now facing extinction in less than 20 years.
Heritage Expeditions fundraise for, and deliver school supplies to, remote communities and islands in the South Pacific with Learning Resources for Villages, and host an Artist in Residence programme to promote the significance of the Southern Ocean.
We also make significant annual contributions to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, the Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service and Antarctic Heritage Trust. In addition to these contributions, Heritage Expeditions provides transport of freight and personnel to and from nature reserves. We support the New Zealand Meteorological Service and non-governmental research agencies, including the World Wildlife Fund, the University of Canterbury and The Last Ocean Charitable Trust.
